Before I Wake by Robert J Wiersema
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.
Robert J.Wiersema has always enjoyed telling stories. The word was a euphemism for him as a boy growing up in Agassiz, B.C., because he had an uncertain relationship with the truth at the time. In other words, he lied. He was willing to lie about anything, at any moment. And, what's more amusing, it never worked.
He was always found out and had to pay the price for his spur-of-the-moment fabrications. That didn't deter him, though. He eventually figured out how to channel this urge into actual stories. He views the first as the worst kind of spy fiction.
Wiersema enrolled in the University of Victoria's Creative Writing Workshop after writing a number of pieces, but eventually decided to pursue an English degree with a concentration on contemporary Canadian literature and post-structuralist literary theory. He became a bookshop to support himself as a student, which he considers to be the best thing he could have done for his writing. He discovered that the things he learned in class throughout the day clashed with his experiences with real customers in the store. This influenced his writing style and inspired him to tell stories that others would want to read.
Wiersema started reviewing books for Quill & Quire in 1999 and went on to become a well-known book reviewer for the Vancouver Sun, Globe & Mail, Ottawa Citizen, and other publications. This made his writing known to the general public and the publishing industry, which came in handy when it came time to sell his debut novel. Before I Wake was published in Canada by Random House in 2006 and released in the United States in 2007. and the United Kingdom in early 2007.
Unlike the punishments he received as a child, Wiersema now reaps the benefits of his narrative. He lives in Victoria with his wife Cori and son Xander, and enjoys cigars and music. He writes about all of this on his blog, robertjwiersema.com/blog. He gets up at or before 4 a.m. every day. to write, and is currently working on Seven Crow Tales, a collection of short stories, and a new novel about the importance of reading, books, and words.
He continues to write reviews, and 2007 marked his tenth year working at Victoria's Bolen Books as a bookseller, event organiser, and publicist. Wiersema acknowledges, I don't see me abandoning either bookselling or reviewing. I enjoy being a part of the dialogue, of the ongoing evolution of literature in this country. I enjoy placing works in the hands of readers, as well as bringing authors and their readers together to discuss the books.
I've been doing this for a long time.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780312381059 |
| ISBN 10 | 0312381050 |
| Title | Before I Wake |
| Author | Robert J Wiersema |
| Series | Reading Group Gold |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | St Martin's Press |
| Year published | 2008-07-22 |
| Number of pages | 336 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |