Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Réparer les vivants

Je ne vais pas mentir, j’ai presque rien entendu de ce livre. Le vocabulaire m’a semblé un peu prétentieux, et le format impénétrable de comprendre. De plus, les scènes se répétaient et je sentais qu’on ne continuait pas avec l’histoire.

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sparklingginger's review

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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ncontreras83's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Mend the Living is a translated novel which tells the story of one heart transplant. I’ll admit that sounds like an unusual plot line but I found the novel utterly compelling. It slowly unfolds over a 24 hour time period beginning when 19 year old Simon heads out surfing with some friends. Unfortunately they are involved in a car accident on the journey home.

From there the novel gives you many different perspectives. Some are expected - Simon’s parents (imagine their grief and having to make a decision about organ donation), the transplant recipient (the fear and promise of the operation sitting uncomfortably with the knowledge that someone else had to die in order for you to get a chance to continue living), the transplant surgeons (the long gruelling hours, the precise nature of the work). Some are less so, like the administrator of the national transplant centre tasked with ensuring the best match between organ and recipient, or offer an unexpected angle - imagine being a doctor trying to determine the best way to approach grieving parents about organ donation. It is clear the author has done her research and knows the transplant process in minute detail. I was struck by the meticulous planning and organisation, the sheer logistics required. The amount and detail of medical content will mean this book is not for every reader, however.

I was also struck by the respect and sanctity shown to the donor and his family. The way the coordinator ensured Simon’s parent’s wishes for his final moment of life were followed, even though it meant pausing the surgeons and even though his parents would never know if their request was honoured, was beautiful.

This was a richly and minutely detailed novel, and the juxtaposition of these details really stood out. The mundane coexisted with the miraculous; the transcendent with the quotidian. While one life was ending and another awaiting a second chance, phone calls had to be made and forms filled out. People had to walk or drive to the hospital. Medical staff had personal issues in the back of their minds as they went about their duties.

A unique read that will reaffirm your appreciation for the wonder of life.

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masha_and_the_cat's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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