Official Review: Over 38 Years Without Tears

[e-tasana-williams]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Over 38 Years Without Tears" by Susan A. Holliday.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Have you ever had to overcome great physical, spiritual and emotional adversity, or known someone who has? If so, then you should read Over 38 Years Without Tears. In this autobiography Susan A. Holliday relates how faith in God helps her conquer difficulties she still faces as a result of a near-fatal car accident 48 years ago.

The author is 22 years old when her car is t-boned by another vehicle at an intersection. After being in the hospital for almost six months Ms. Holliday amazes all of her doctors by surviving the multiple internal injuries and brain damage she sustained. She has to relearn how to sit up, crawl, walk, talk and perform basic activities of daily living.

The majority of the book is devoted to Ms. Holliday's recovery in the years immediately following her release from the hospital. The autobiography also depicts her belief that God "...is not merely a Supreme Being up there in heaven..." but that he is also very intimately involved in people's lives on Earth. The author wants to inspire people to see God as a close friend, to spread his word with their talents and spiritual gifts and to become humble but confident according to biblical precepts. She relates how she experiences all of these things throughout the course of her recovery.

Ms. Holliday details the many ways she feels God's hand in her life and she includes scriptures and prayers that speak to her situation. She stresses the importance of hope during her recovery and the book does have an overall upbeat tone. She continually praises God for the new perspective her disabilities provide. For example instead of always seeing her walker and wheelchair as burdens, she thanks and praises God for giving her a new compassion for others who also depend on this equipment. I am astounded by Ms. Holliday's positivity in the face of such difficult circumstances. Her refusal to stay mired in anger and self-pity is encouraging.

I recommend this work to readers with a healthcare background, as they will appreciate depictions of the rehabilitation process and treatments Ms. Holliday undergoes in the book. Readers who enjoy Christian non-fiction will also like this story.

People who are not interested in religious stories may not like this autobiography, as it is told from a strong Christian perspective.

The book appears to be professionally edited and has few grammatical errors. The last few chapters seem rushed compared to the first 85% of the story, which detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I rate Over 38 Years Without Tears 3 out of 4 stars.

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Over 38 Years Without Tears
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Like e-tasana-williams's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Kdonegan91]

I love Christian non-fiction books especially books that progress smoothly and have a positive tone. Your review is well written! I will be adding this book to my "want to read" list. Thank you

[e-tasana-williams]

Thanks for your response! I hope you enjoy the book.

[ebeth]

I like to read true stories once in awhile for something different. I like christian novels and just reading the first couple of paragraphs I could tell it sounds like a good read and added it to my shelves. Thanks for the review.

[e-tasana-williams]

You are very welcome! I hope you enjoy the book

[kimmyschemy06]

Sounds like a very inspiring and encouraging book. I appreciate that the author has been so kind as to share her struggles and triumphs with other people. Good job on the review.

[e-tasana-williams]

It was definitely inspiring. As I read it I kept wondering if I would have her positivity and perseverance if I had been in her shoes.