The World I Made for Her

Years of reading independently, and then what was required of me as an English major have left me clinging to and re-reading just less than a handful of books. As Moran suggests, in the end, what matters are the few true connections we have made to those we love. Books function in much the same way for me; few stories remain compelling regardless of how often I return to them. This book passes the test again and again. Much like reading about the noteless, but wildly expressive world of the death, Moran's book explores the human capacity for expression on many subtle levels. James is unable to speak, but his dreams, his fantasies, his honed abilities to observe and reflect, all merge to create a character as rich, if not richer, than any imaginable speaking character. How to sum up this story? It's chilling, luminous, perspective-altering.

I picked this book up on vacation and from the very first page, I was mesmerized by the beautiful, spare prose and the character as he develops. This is a book which is very intense, and drew my emotions out gradually and deeply. It has been added to my library of "never lend out" books, but believe me - I WILL tell others about it's magic. I read and reread the ending chapter, it was so intense. The author's notes after the last chapter just put the entire book into perspective for me. Buy it! Read it!!

Moving, well written, tragic but very imaginative plot. I found it a remarkable contrast between his character's fluency in narration and his frustrated inability to articulate to those around him. Couldn't put the book down. I'm now looking forward to purchasing and reading The Man in the Box.

This book is quite moving. It is extremely well written and it has an exceptional ending. I would highly recommend this book.

superb writing, no dead wood or wasted words.The scene is frightening, an ordinary man felled by a runaway virsus - strapped to a hospital bed, helpless, tubes running everywhere, drifting in and out of comas and drug inducted trances, unable to speak, no control whatsoever. All the more poignant, because the story is actually about love, the choice to be.The man, James Blanchely, has every reason to be consumed with fear and self-pity, but he choses the other path and decides to love his two Irish nurses instead: Bridget for her wicked humor and buccaneer ways, Nuala for her strength and approach to the art of life. He loves them both, but he loves Nuala best.As he drifts between conscious and unconscious worlds, not always sure is more real, James dreams a better world for Nuala than might be hers in real life. So vivid are the dreams and so much does he want her to enjoy a happy life that Nuala begins to share in the same dreams. Thus does their lives merge in a way that surpasses physical undrstanding.I cared about all three of these characters, cheering them on, from near the beginning to the final fleeting kiss of life. Against the odds, against conventional wisdom, they chose love and had the courage to pursue it to the very end. Heroes!