Enter Sandman

I purchased this book on a whim, after remembering an article I had read a few years back written by Ms. Williams about her struggle with cancer. The book lived up to all my expectations, but left me a bit sad since this would be the only novel I will ever get to read from this brilliant author.

Okay, so it gets off to a slow start, and the author was not a soaring lyricist. But it really does pick up steam midway through, and it packs a wallop at the end. The two main characters are artfully drawn, and as the plot narrows down to the two of them, the story becomes quite lovely. Add to that the author's personal narrative, in that she was literally racing her own death to publish this novel, and there is quite a lot to recommend 'Enter Sandman'.

As a fellow breast cancer survivor diagnosed at 34, I am looking forward to reading this book. I highly suggest every young woman to at least sign it out from the library to acquaint themselves with how breast cancer effects young women. It is much more common in young women than most of us think. I certainly didn't expect to be diagnosed w/o any risk factors. I also have a 31 yr friend in Stage 4, when is incurable.

This book was written by a 33-year old with breast cancer. It has a fast-paced, captivating plot. The protagonist's transformation at the end of the book from a young woman to a "terminal cancer patient" is very powerful, with important messages about friendship, sense of self, communication and the universal desire to leave a meaningful legacy. The reader will walk away from the book with a deeper understanding of what it takes for a young woman to come to terms with cancer and dying, while also admiring its author for having the strength to write a great first novel while battling this disease.