Before I Wake - (Reading Group Gold) by Robert J Wiersema (Paperback)

About the Book

Debut novelist Wiersema cleverly introduces a multitude of voices to tell this astonishing story of loss, redemption, and forgiveness. When miracles start happening around Sherry Barrett, a three-year-old girl in a coma, explanations of a rational kind no longer seem important.

Book Synopsis

After an unthinkable tragedy happens, an unbelievable miracle begins. . . Three-year-old Sherry is the adored only child of Simon and Karen Barrett. But when Sherry is critically injured in a hit-and-run accident, the fault lines in the Barretts's marriage begin to show. As her parents' marriage falls apart, it is discovered that Sherry has miraculous healing powers.

Meanwhile, the guilt-stricken driver of the truck attempts suicide--but is unable to die. Henry Denton instead finds himself in a place of darkness, somewhere between this world and the next, invisible to all but a group of mysterious and downtrodden men. Haunted by his shame, Henry struggles to understand this mysterious limbo.
As word of Sherry's powers spread, her parents must decide how best to shelter their daughter and help the many sick and dying who are drawn to her side. At the same time, a larger battle is brewing-- one that has been raging for two thousand years, and one that might yet claim the lives of Sherry and her family.

Robert J. Wiersema's brilliant debut novel sheds light on the inner lives of characters struggling against tragedy, who find each other and themselves in the darkness. Before I Wake reveals the power of forgiveness, and the true nature, and cost, of miracles.

From the Back Cover

"[An] intriguing supernatural thriller in which a sudden tragedy befalls a family and strange, wondrous events take place in its wake . . ."--"Seattle"" Post-Intelligencer"

"Wiersema provides a deep thriller that will keep his audience wondering until the revelatory final confrontation." --"The Midwest Book Review"

"Wiersema threads the supernatural throughout a novel grounded in domestic conflict and tragedy . . Intriguing." --"NY Daily News"

"An intelligent, contemplative supernatural thriller replete with well-rounded characters, artless dialogue and a plot that, while imbued with the unexplained, develops organically, revealing its secrets at just the right pace . . . an engrossing story of flawed but genuinely good people who must bear up under the stress of loss, betrayal, unwarranted miracles and unconventional spiritual warfare . . . an engaging, emotionally resonant read." --"Publisher's Weekly"

""Before I Wake" is a stunning debut. Robert Wiersema's novel is original, thought-provoking and downright wonderful." --Michael Connelly, "New York"" Times" #1 bestselling author of "The Closers"

"Riveting. . . grips the reader in a chokehold on page one and doesn't let go until the very last line. . . . Wiersema's story is utterly fearless, right to the very end. It never shies away or backs down from its questioning of faith, theology, morality and mystery. . . a unique, spellbinding, and ultimately uplifting gem." --"The Globe and Mail"

""""Before I Wake" provocatively dances along the lines between faith and science, life and death." --Andrew Pyper, author of "Lost Girls" and "The Wildfire Season"

After an unthinkable tragedy happens, an unbelievable miraclebegins. . . Three-year-old Sherry is the adored only child of Simon and Karen Barrett. But when Sherry is critically injured in a hit-and-run accident, the fault lines in the Barretts's marriage begin to show. As her parents' marriage falls apart, it is discovered that Sherry has miraculous healing powers.

Meanwhile, the guilt-stricken driver of the truck attempts suicide--but is unable to die. Henry Denton instead finds himself in a place of darkness, somewhere between this world and the next, invisible to all but a group of mysterious and downtrodden men. Haunted by his shame, Henry struggles to understand this mysterious limbo.As word of Sherry's powers spread, her parents must decide how best to shelter their daughter and help the many sick and dying who are drawn to her side. At the same time, a larger battle is brewing-- one that has been raging for two thousand years, and one that might yet claim the lives of Sherry and her family.

Robert J. Wiersema's brilliant debut novel sheds light on the inner lives of characters struggling against tragedy, who find each other and themselves in the darkness. "Before I Wake" reveals the power of forgiveness, and the true nature, and cost, of miracles.

Review Quotes

"[An] intriguing supernatural thriller in which a sudden tragedy befalls a family and strange, wondrous events take place in its wake . . ." --Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Wiersema provides a deep thriller that will keep his audience wondering until the revelatory final confrontation." --The Midwest Book Review

"Wiersema threads the supernatural throughout a novel grounded in domestic conflict and tragedy . . Intriguing." --NY Daily News

"An intelligent, contemplative supernatural thriller replete with well-rounded characters, artless dialogue and a plot that, while imbued with the unexplained, develops organically, revealing its secrets at just the right pace . . . an engrossing story of flawed but genuinely good people who must bear up under the stress of loss, betrayal, unwarranted miracles and unconventional spiritual warfare . . . an engaging, emotionally resonant read." --Publisher's Weekly

"Before I Wake is a stunning debut. Robert Wiersema's novel is original, thought-provoking and downright wonderful." --Michael Connelly, New York Times #1 bestselling author of The Closers

"Riveting. . . grips the reader in a chokehold on page one and doesn't let go until the very last line. . . . Wiersema's story is utterly fearless, right to the very end. It never shies away or backs down from its questioning of faith, theology, morality and mystery. . . a unique, spellbinding, and ultimately uplifting gem." --The Globe and Mail

"Before I Wake provocatively dances along the lines between faith and science, life and death." --Andrew Pyper, author of Lost Girls and The Wildfire Season

About the Author

Robert J. Wiersema has been a bookseller for more than fifteen years. A journalist and reviewer who contributes regularly to many major Canadian publications, he lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his family.