In
the perfect story, a man and women fall in love and live happily ever after!
But life, in reality, throws its curve ball into every mix and couples need to
surmount one or more challenges, to say the least. David McClain and Lindsey meet on the night
before David returns to his Ranger duties in the terribly threatening land of
Afghanistan. Previously, David has
survived warfare as he’s very, very good at what he does. David’s psyche, however, has changed since he
fell in love. In some ways, his
relationship with Lindsey is the only hope he experiences in the nightmarish
daily activities where fellow soldiers are kill or are killed or wounded. Somehow now his sensitivity is enhanced and
this tour is grossly different!
One
of David’s buddies was constantly talking about how he needed to get back to
his little daughter and wife who meant the world to him, proven by how often he
pulled out their picture before and after a successful mission. But one day the
work is interrupted and the buddy loses both his legs from an IED (improvised
explosive device) and has a shattered body and psyche. David’s job is to support his men and so he
does on this occasion, only the mind and heart are the last to catch up with
the easy platitudes offered to the wounded warrior.
Eventually
David will suffer his own physical trauma, but that is the least of his
problems as once he returns to the United States worse follows! This then is the story Steven Manchester, who
actually served in the War in Afghanistan, has always wanted to tell. For although American citizens have heard the
term PTSD frequently, most really don’t have a clue about the horror it is to
live with the memories, physical and mental reactions that accompany years of
battle. The constant state of alertness required to avoid being killed by a
sniper or awaiting IED is not left when one is homeward bound to the good ol’
USA. Steven would have you read this
novel to truly understand what the bang of a muffler or screeching brakes, etc.
does to a wounded warrior. It’s a brutal recovery and one in which soldiers
like David need constant support and retraining. It’s the test of love to see
whether Lindsey will stay away as David commands or find a way to be there for
her love in the ongoing nightmare of his life. Gooseberry Island is the perfect
idyllic setting for healing to begin!
Steven
Manchester tells David’s story realistically but without any extra drama as his
story has enough horror in it for a lifetime.
This is the world being experienced by thousands of American soldiers,
as well as the story of those Afghans trying to bring freedom and lack of fear
to their daily lives. Stunning read that
needs to be read by Americans, no matter what political beliefs are held
regarding whether or not we should have been or are serving in this non-stop
war raging since 911. A MUST read!
Many thanks for the wonderful review and for sharing GOOSEBERRY ISLAND with your readers!
ReplyDelete