Synopses & Reviews
After an unthinkable tragedy happens, an unbelievable miracle begins. . .
Three-year-old Sherry is the adored only child of Simon and Karen Barrett. 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--in her coma-like state--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, and what he must do to free himself.
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 close to 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. "A stunning debut . . .original, thought-provoking, and downright wonderful."
-Michael Connelly, New York Times #1 bestselling author of The Closers and Echo Park
"I wept over this book as I read it, and I'm still haunted by it . . . disturbingly powerful."
-Gail Anderson-Dargatz, author of A Recipe for Bees
"A literary supernatural thriller that grips the reader in a chokehold and doesn't let go until the very last line. . . . It never shies away or backs down from its questioning of faith, theology, morality and mystery. . . a unique, spellbinding, and ultimately uplifting gem."
-- The Globe and Mail
"Through a tale that is both intimate and profound, Robert J. Wiersema reminds us there is magic in truth, and truth in the fantastic. An edge-of-your-seat debut that is never faint of heart."
-Ami McKay, author of The Birth House
"A wonder to behold. A deft fusion of intimate family story, suspense and religious exploration. One of those books you just don't put down until you've read to the last page. . . Magnificent."
--The Edmonton Journal
"Deceptively easy to read because it is so well written and so emotionally engaging. It will haunt you long after you've lent it to a friend. And lend it you will, because it is just too good not to share."
--National Post
"Before I Wake provocatively dances along the lines between faith and science, life and death."
--Andrew Pyper, author of Lost Girls
"Engrossing and carefully plotted . . . Wiersema's compassion and sympathy for his characters are genuine. . . he tells a cracking good tale."
--Quill & Quire
Review
"A stunning debut . . .original, thought-provoking, and downright wonderful."
-Michael Connelly, New York Times #1 bestselling author of The Closers and Echo Park
"I wept over this book as I read it, and I'm still haunted by it . . . disturbingly powerful."
-Gail Anderson-Dargatz, author of A Recipe for Bees
"A literary supernatural thriller that grips the reader in a chokehold and doesn't let go until the very last line. . . . It never shies away or backs down from its questioning of faith, theology, morality and mystery. . . a unique, spellbinding, and ultimately uplifting gem."
-- The Globe and Mail
"Through a tale that is both intimate and profound, Robert J. Wiersema reminds us there is magic in truth, and truth in the fantastic. An edge-of-your-seat debut that is never faint of heart."
-Ami McKay, author of The Birth House
"A wonder to behold. A deft fusion of intimate family story, suspense and religious exploration. One of those books you just don't put down until you've read to the last page. . . Magnificent."
--The Edmonton Journal
"Deceptively easy to read because it is so well written and so emotionally engaging. It will haunt you long after you've lent it to a friend. And lend it you will, because it is just too good not to share."
--National Post
"Before I Wake provocatively dances along the lines between faith and science, life and death."
--Andrew Pyper, author of Lost Girls
"Engrossing and carefully plotted . . . Wiersema's compassion and sympathy for his characters are genuine. . . he tells a cracking good tale."
--Quill & Quire
Review
“[An] intriguing supernatural thriller in which a sudden tragedy befalls a family and strange, wondrous events take place in its wake . . .”--
Seattle Post-Intelligencer“Wiersema provides a deep thriller that will keep his audience wondering until the revelatory final confrontation.” --The Midwest Book Review
“Wiersema threads the supernatural throughout a novel grounded in domestic conflict and tragedy . . Intriguing.” --NY Daily News
“An intelligent, contemplative supernatural thriller replete with well-rounded characters, artless dialogue and a plot that, while imbued with the unexplained, develops organically, revealing its secrets at just the right pace . . . an engrossing story of flawed but genuinely good people who must bear up under the stress of loss, betrayal, unwarranted miracles and unconventional spiritual warfare . . . an engaging, emotionally resonant read.” --Publisher's Weekly
"Before I Wake is a stunning debut. Robert Wiersema's novel is original, thought-provoking and downright wonderful." --Michael Connelly, New York Times #1 bestselling author of The Closers
“Riveting. . . grips the reader in a chokehold on page one and doesnt let go until the very last line. . . . Wiersemas story is utterly fearless, right to the very end. It never shies away or backs down from its questioning of faith, theology, morality and mystery. . . a unique, spellbinding, and ultimately uplifting gem.” --The Globe and Mail
“Before I Wake provocatively dances along the lines between faith and science, life and death." --Andrew Pyper, author of Lost Girls and The Wildfire Season
Synopsis
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 Sherrys 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.
About the Author
Robert J. Wiersema has been a bookseller for more than fifteen years. A journalist and reviewer who contributes regularly to many major Canadian publications, he lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his family.
Reading Group Guide
1. Forgiveness and redemption form one of the themes of Before I Wake. How does this theme apply to Henry? To Simon? To other characters? 2. In keeping with the above, do you think Simon had done enough to redeem himself, to earn Karens forgiveness? 3. Tim and the stranger both have what could be called secret identities. How early in the novel did you first become aware that Father Peter was not who he claimed to be? Who did you think he really was? Was the eventual revelation of his identity a surprise? 4. Before I Wake uses multiple first-person points of view to tell the story of its characters. What did you like about this use of multiple voices? Were there particular advantages to this approach? Disadvantages? 5. At one point, Tim tells Henry that “the cost of miracles is dear.” In what ways do the characters of Before I Wake pay for the miracles around them? 6. The question of religious belief is central to the book. Both Simon and Karen are agnostic: what impact does this have on their actions in the story? Do you think they would have reacted differently had they been religious? 7. There are several narrative twists in Before I Wake. Was there one particular moment, event, or outcome that surprised you more than others? 8. The novel ends on a note of ambiguity. What do you think happened in Sherrys sickroom?