Official Review: The Cure by Stan Fairbanks

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 19 Nov 2019, 12:56

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Cure" by Stan Fairbanks.]

4 out of 4 stars

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When Amy Spenser's grandpa is diagnosed with a brain tumor, she is distraught. Due to her parents being drug addicts, he has always acted as her surrogate father, so the possibility of losing him is earth-shattering. Amy and her grandpa try to remain hopeful that his health insurance will cover the cost of his treatments. Unfortunately, it is not that simple, and Amy blames World Pharmaceuticals.

While Amy has a medical background, she has always been interested in natural healing, such as how plants can be used to treat specific ailments. She also believes that there is a cure for cancer, and companies like World Pharmaceuticals are making it inaccessible as a way to keep making money off of sick people. When she, along with two other students, are allowed to go to Costa Rica to work with a shaman, she jumps at the chance. Taking this trip may be the answer to unlocking the cure for her grandpa and many others like him. When she begins to receive threatening messages, demanding her to stop the research, it is evident that someone is dead-set against her uncovering the truth.

The Cure by Stan Fairbanks is a gripping thriller that aims to educate readers about the flaws within the United States health-care system. It also uncovers the role that Big Pharma has in making money off those who are sick or terminally ill. The story is told in the third-person perspective and follows Amy as she desperately tries to save her grandfather.

As a Canadian, our system is vastly different from the one in the United States, so this book was a massive eye-opener for me. There were many moments, as I was reading, where I felt as though I was a part of something big. The author did an excellent job of persuading me to see things from his perspective, and I found myself cursing Big Pharma like I was part of a protest. Even though I was reading a fictional story, the author exposed many of the real-life injustices faced by sick people today.

Besides the overall message of the book, my favorite thing about The Cure was Amy's character. The author couldn't have chosen a better protagonist for the book. Amy was steadfast in her beliefs, and the love for her grandfather was evident through her dedication to finding a cure. I also admired the way she was able to give her parents a strong dose of tough-love when she refused to bail them out of difficult situations. Amy could have easily gone down the same path as her parents by choosing drugs and cheating the system. Instead, she decided to rise above and make an honest living by helping others. I think that she showed immense strength and self-confidence.

The only thing that irked me about the book was that sometimes the anger expressed seemed forced or out of place. It was apparent that the author held certain beliefs that he wanted to convey. Still, the delivery of these opinions didn't quite fit within the text. At one point, an officer decides against arresting Amy's aunt, who is a potential threat to the safety of others because he doesn't want to "waste the taxpayer's money." This inaction seems unrealistic and only serves one purpose—to reveal the author's stance on the topic.

The book was professionally edited, and I found no spelling or grammatical errors. I chose to give the book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

The Cure is loaded with offensive language, so I would not recommend the book to young readers. On the other hand, I would recommend it to readers who believe in conspiracy theories and want more information about cancer as a money-making business. For those who are fans of books like Winning the War on Cancer or Manifesto for a Cancer Patient, this book is for you!

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The Cure
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Post by **kandscreeley** » 21 Nov 2019, 21:01

You know, it seems this book communicates everything I feel about Big Pharma. That it's done in an interesting and well-written manor makes this even more fantastic. It's absolutely one I will read. Thanks.

La Cabra · Post by **La Cabra** » 22 Nov 2019, 01:35

Wow this is such a unique story. We have a suffering loved one, a controversy and a gripping thriller all packed in one book--sounds brilliant. While I too have long been suspicious of Big Pharma, I recently started educating myself about their seemingly dodgy ways and I'm no longer convinced of a controversy brewing amidst the multi billion dollar cancer research companies.
What's more is that such topics could be really hurtful to people who have been affected my cancer in their own lives--to be told they lost their mother to a gang of pharmaceutical thieves? That's quite unpleasant.
Still, the story is very interesting. But the controversial elements may not sit well with all readers. I for one would love to pick it up some time.

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 22 Nov 2019, 06:26

kandscreeley wrote: ↑21 Nov 2019, 21:01 You know, it seems this book communicates everything I feel about Big Pharma. That it's done in an interesting and well-written manor makes this even more fantastic. It's absolutely one I will read. Thanks.

It definitely opened my eyes to the role of Big Pharma; thanks!

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 22 Nov 2019, 06:27

La Cabra wrote: ↑22 Nov 2019, 01:35 Wow this is such a unique story. We have a suffering loved one, a controversy and a gripping thriller all packed in one book--sounds brilliant. While I too have long been suspicious of Big Pharma, I recently started educating myself about their seemingly dodgy ways and I'm no longer convinced of a controversy brewing amidst the multi billion dollar cancer research companies.
What's more is that such topics could be really hurtful to people who have been affected my cancer in their own lives--to be told they lost their mother to a gang of pharmaceutical thieves? That's quite unpleasant.
Still, the story is very interesting. But the controversial elements may not sit well with all readers. I for one would love to pick it up some time.

You make a very important point--thank you!

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 22 Nov 2019, 08:34

The best thing I like about the book is that it exposes real-life injustices. I would like to read it soon. Thanks a lot for the enthralling review.

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 23 Nov 2019, 06:57

Kibetious wrote: ↑22 Nov 2019, 08:34 The best thing I like about the book is that it exposes real-life injustices. I would like to read it soon. Thanks a lot for the enthralling review.

Thanks for your comment!

tristenb · Post by **tristenb** » 25 Nov 2019, 11:30

This book sounds so interesting. I'm from the U.S., but I live in Ecuador now. I can totally see the differences in healthcare. The cost of care in the U.S. is obnoxious and it seems that there is no real reason for the prices to be as high as they are. I can understand the character's frustrations in this book. Thanks for the great review! I'm looking forward to reading it.

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 26 Nov 2019, 19:19

tristenb wrote: ↑25 Nov 2019, 11:30 This book sounds so interesting. I'm from the U.S., but I live in Ecuador now. I can totally see the differences in healthcare. The cost of care in the U.S. is obnoxious and it seems that there is no real reason for the prices to be as high as they are. I can understand the character's frustrations in this book. Thanks for the great review! I'm looking forward to reading it.

It's amazing how much your perspective changes when you are in a different situation, or in your case, setting. Thanks for your comment.