When a close friend commits suicide, it is very hard to find
the right thing to say to the family or to other friends.
There is no real right way and many wrong ways. Hugs and
tears help, but it is in the sharing of stories where the
true strength and resiliency of friendship and hope become real.
The handsome Andy Weir had been the informal leader of this
special group of eight friends since their childhood in
Walnut Creek in Holmes County, Ohio. They thought they knew
each other well; yet; with Andy's suicide and some living
at a distance, the remaining friends (Marie, Logan, Harley,
Elizabeth Anne, Will, Katie, and John B. for Byler) are now
not so sure. The Eight, now in their twenties, come from
different backgrounds (some Mennonite, some Amish, and some
English) and with their strong friendship, they had been
used to overcoming any obstacles in their way. Will it be
strong enough to hold them together? Now, the seven
remaining friends vow to take care of each other. Will the
seven still be able to have the bond of "The Eight"?
THE PATIENT ONE is written by New York Times best-selling
author Shelley Shepard Gray as the first book in what is
sure to be a most intriguing Walnut Creek series. I have
read many Amish books, and this novel is certainly one of
the few to address the difficult subject of suicide and how
it affects the Amish, their younger members and their wider
circle of non-Amish friends. As you follow the re-connection
of "The Eight" in THE PATIENT ONE, you can realistically
feel the lingering impact suicide has on individuals,
family, and friends as conversations and actions or
inactions are mulled over to see what could have been
different.
Like sunshine breaking through clouds, THE PATIENT ONE also
brings joy, comfort, and the wonder of the budding romance
between two young couples as they slowly open up to each
other as they discuss the implications of their decisions. I
have read quite a number of Gray's previous novels and what
I particularly enjoyed this time was the unfolding of
Molly's romance and the quiet support of her parents as she
gets more comfortable in asserting herself while dealing
effectively with her disability.
I don't want to give away more of the story; however, I can
definitely say that readers who love Amish stories and/or
Christian fiction are sure to take pleasure in following the
saga of this wonderful group of friends learn to support
each other and follow their hearts as they attempt to
discern God's will in their lives.
While a great start to a new series, THE PATIENT ONE is also
a very compelling read as a standalone novel of friendship
and healing. Given that, once you read THE PATIENT ONE, you
will be impatiently awaiting the next in the series!
Seven former best friends reunite and struggle to heal
after the tragic death of one of their own in this evocative
and heartrending novel from the New York Times
bestselling author of The Gift and Her
Secret.
When word had gotten out that Andy Warner had committed
suicide, everyone in Walnut Creek, Ohio, had been shocked.
For seven men and women in their twenties, some Amish, some
Mennonite, and some English, each of whom had once counted
his or herself as one of Andy’s best friends, it had been
extremely painful.
And, maybe, a source of guilt.
Years have passed since they’d all been together last. Some
of them got into trouble. A couple got into arguments.
Eventually they all drifted apart. But even though none of
them really saw each other anymore, there was a steadfast
certainty that they’d always have each other’s backs—even
when no one else did. Their bond was that strong…until Andy
did the unthinkable.
Now the seven remaining friends, still reeling from Andy’s
death, have vowed to look after each other again. As far as
they’re concerned, it doesn’t matter that they’re now in
their twenties and have drifted far apart. They need to
connect again…for Andy.
With her signature “taut writing” (RT Book Reviews),
Shelley Shepard Gray delivers a lyrical and heartfelt tale
of friendship and forgiveness.
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