Review of Living in Color
Posted: 03 Jan 2022, 12:04
[Following is a volunteer review of "Living in Color" by Mike Murphy.]
Why there are extremely sad events that happen always to the same person? There is no precise answer but Mike Murphy, of his real name Michael Murphy, in his novel Living in Color: A Love Story, in Sickness and in Health tries to depict an example of these extraordinary people. The main character of the story is a woman, Margot, fighting with breast cancer. Fortunately, she is not alone in this battle, she has her family, her husband and his children who overflow her with love and affection. Everyone loves her because of her natural tendency in being delicate and kind. Furthermore, it’s not only a story about a woman but also the story of a man who tries to support her in any way. Mike realised when meeting Margot that a piece of his puzzle was missing and he found it in her. Their meeting can be considered a love at first sight even if they both already had a spouse before. Mike, throughout his novel, implicitly relates also the meaning of love. Love isn’t always about finding the right person, love is much more. It is the only way to live a decent life, it is passion, fun, friendship and the will to know always more about each other. It is imperfect and sometimes confusing. Living a life in colour can be really beautiful. It is the life Mike and Margot decided to live with everything that was brought with it. An alternance between the past and the present shows to the reader all the pretty details of their love story and everything that accompanied it, obstacles, differences and fights. Moreover throughout the novel there is a constant reflection on the meaning of life. Their life is accompanied by spirituality because Mike and Margot, both Catholics, have always been interested in different cults. Spirituality has helped them to live and bear much pain and suffering. Finally Mike shares also his experience and his want to help many other people, like Margot, that are also touched by this disease by creating an association.
Throughout the narrative there are pictures of the couple or images mentioned in the narration itself. The presence of pictures is rather unusual in a novel yet in this case is helpful to the truth of the story which from the beginning the reader knows it is a true one. These pictures are a reminder and a homage to wonderful people who loved and love all the time. It is a positive feature of the novel as the reader assume a consciousness in seeing plainly what the writer is talking about. Another positive aspect is the story as a whole because it is important to tell to a wider audience the truth that is hidden behind a disease such as cancer and all its consequences. Mike Murphy never omits a detail even if it is disturbing and sometimes difficult to bear.
At the same time there are often too much details about their everyday life. Personally, at times, the details can be repetitive because it’s interesting knowing that in her everyday life she is constantly suffering yet I think that some details could have been avoided. Then, another negative aspect is that, even if I love romances, I am not used to read romances such as this. Sometimes it’s too romantic and maybe because of my young age I don’t really appreciate it when there’s too much of it.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because in general I enjoyed the story and the concept of paying homage to a wonderful woman. I don’t think is one my favourite books which is why I didn’t give all the stars. It remains nonetheless a book that has had an impact on my life: it made me think about my own life and how I spend my time.
I recommend this book mostly to adults that enjoy romances, to those who are able to appreciate true stories and also romantic ones thus this novel is perfect. It isn’t an easy book especially from the moral point of view because it is quite tough and emotionally intense. It isn’t one of those books you can lightly read. In consequence, not everyone can read it I recommend it to those who want to think and are ready to be unsettled.
******
Living in Color
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Why there are extremely sad events that happen always to the same person? There is no precise answer but Mike Murphy, of his real name Michael Murphy, in his novel Living in Color: A Love Story, in Sickness and in Health tries to depict an example of these extraordinary people. The main character of the story is a woman, Margot, fighting with breast cancer. Fortunately, she is not alone in this battle, she has her family, her husband and his children who overflow her with love and affection. Everyone loves her because of her natural tendency in being delicate and kind. Furthermore, it’s not only a story about a woman but also the story of a man who tries to support her in any way. Mike realised when meeting Margot that a piece of his puzzle was missing and he found it in her. Their meeting can be considered a love at first sight even if they both already had a spouse before. Mike, throughout his novel, implicitly relates also the meaning of love. Love isn’t always about finding the right person, love is much more. It is the only way to live a decent life, it is passion, fun, friendship and the will to know always more about each other. It is imperfect and sometimes confusing. Living a life in colour can be really beautiful. It is the life Mike and Margot decided to live with everything that was brought with it. An alternance between the past and the present shows to the reader all the pretty details of their love story and everything that accompanied it, obstacles, differences and fights. Moreover throughout the novel there is a constant reflection on the meaning of life. Their life is accompanied by spirituality because Mike and Margot, both Catholics, have always been interested in different cults. Spirituality has helped them to live and bear much pain and suffering. Finally Mike shares also his experience and his want to help many other people, like Margot, that are also touched by this disease by creating an association.
Throughout the narrative there are pictures of the couple or images mentioned in the narration itself. The presence of pictures is rather unusual in a novel yet in this case is helpful to the truth of the story which from the beginning the reader knows it is a true one. These pictures are a reminder and a homage to wonderful people who loved and love all the time. It is a positive feature of the novel as the reader assume a consciousness in seeing plainly what the writer is talking about. Another positive aspect is the story as a whole because it is important to tell to a wider audience the truth that is hidden behind a disease such as cancer and all its consequences. Mike Murphy never omits a detail even if it is disturbing and sometimes difficult to bear.
At the same time there are often too much details about their everyday life. Personally, at times, the details can be repetitive because it’s interesting knowing that in her everyday life she is constantly suffering yet I think that some details could have been avoided. Then, another negative aspect is that, even if I love romances, I am not used to read romances such as this. Sometimes it’s too romantic and maybe because of my young age I don’t really appreciate it when there’s too much of it.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because in general I enjoyed the story and the concept of paying homage to a wonderful woman. I don’t think is one my favourite books which is why I didn’t give all the stars. It remains nonetheless a book that has had an impact on my life: it made me think about my own life and how I spend my time.
I recommend this book mostly to adults that enjoy romances, to those who are able to appreciate true stories and also romantic ones thus this novel is perfect. It isn’t an easy book especially from the moral point of view because it is quite tough and emotionally intense. It isn’t one of those books you can lightly read. In consequence, not everyone can read it I recommend it to those who want to think and are ready to be unsettled.
******
Living in Color
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon