What Remains True: A Novel

Written in seven parts, the story opens with the voice of Jonah, 5, describing what he is feeling and seeing as his family mourns his recent death. His daddy told him he would go to heaven but Jonah informs the reader that he's not there. He hasn't "seen God yet, or any angels". Instead he feels like he's floating although he doesn't have a body. Jonah thinks he's supposed to do something but has no clue what.As the book proceeds meet Eden, Jonah's 10 year old sister, Samuel his father, Rachel his mother, his Auntie Ruth and Shadow, the family dog. Each chapter features the above in order several times relating their grief and current life in first person. Eden is having to face her classmates as she goes back to school. Samuel, having always been the strong one, now feels helpless, resentful towards Ruth, is not giving Eden the attention and love she deserves and drinking a little too much. He has no clue how to handle Rachel. Rachel has gone to pieces, no longer caring about anything around her and relying heavily on medication. Ruth is still suffering after her divorce eighteen months ago but glad to have something to do, feeling like she is the one keeping the family together. Shadow obviously sees things from a dog's perspective. He knows his family is sad but that causes him to suffer too when they forget to feed him and he no longer gets the attention that he once did. Grief is told and shared from all angles as this story progresses. Each member blames them-self for Jonah's death.An almost devastating consequence occurs when Rachel realizes that Jonah is not in heaven and thus 'needs' her help to get him there! This also brings in a new character: Maddie, a therapist/counselor. Maddie owns a very successful practice and it is only through a friend's pleading that she takes on this family's "case". Can she help them work through their grief and be a family again?Filled with tragedy the reader is sometimes rewarded with some humorous moments. Some of Jonah's memories and enthusiasm will have you smiling. Maddie has discovered that the only way to relax after her stressful days without affecting her waistline is with mild medical marijuana. We do not learn how Jonah died until Chapter 31 and it is even longer before we learn exactly what happened BUT this does not make the read a frustrating one. The story grips you and keeps you reading.How's the language? For those of you who like to be forewarned the F-bomb is present almost 30 times. There is some other mild language also. Although there are no detailed sex scenes, Samuel is very much a man who admits that one part of him sometimes rules his brain thus the language/descriptions can be a little coarse occasionally. Tempted by an affair, will he succumb or realize that his marriage and family is worth more than that?This was an EXCELLENT, well researched, gripping read. Although fictional the experiences and feelings of each character come over as very real. Quite ingenious how the author wraps the story up. Not the kind of book I would usually read but no regrets. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz

It is a very readable story. Each person who was affected by the death of a little boy tells their own story. I think the mother’s grief, initially is pityable, but gets tedious after a while. You want to slap her. Later, when they go into therapy, you see the depth of their grief and the reason that individually they feel guilty. The therapist is very well portrayed. Enjoy

Having lost a child I really could understand this family, thank you it really helped me understand my life, thank you

Well, if you weren't depressed when you started this book then you certainly will be by the middle. Very predictable. No light relief. Just a sorrow fest really. I did finish it but I don't know why I bothered. Could have predicted the end after a few chapters. It was free on Kindle so at least I didn't spend any money on it!

I found Shadow the dog’s interpretation of what was going on in the house very moving, his ability to see Jonah, the family’s neglect of his basic needs in their grief perfectly described the collapse of normality into chaos following the death of Jonah.

I loved this book. So warm, tender, loving and thought provoking. Love can conquer in the most tragic of circumstances with the love and help of family and friends. Heartwarming. Beautifully written with great sensitivity and understanding. Would definitely recommend.

This was a different story to the usual ones I read however, once I got into it I enjoyed it. It is about a family who each feel guilty for what happened to the young son/brother/nephew. Each chapter is about one of the family and their reactions to what caused his death.

Great book, page turner, funny witty and serious, and seen from several perspectives, including the dog, emotional but you just can't stop reading xx

This book really pulled on the heart strings I could not put it down.Reading this brought a few tears to my eyes at times. Wonderful book

Did not enjoy. Plot too complicated. Time frame far too mixed. Too many people of different ages were there. Men.😕

I really enjoyed this book. Great story and the characters really come to life.

Not my type of reading

Well written. The story unfolds through the eyes of each character. You gain some insight as to what happened through them but the complete picture doesn't come through until the...

I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed this! The premise could have been soppy (and some of the chapters from the dog's perspective did come over that way a little) or...

Not the best book I've ever read. However it was okay

Could relate completely to it. The author shows great insight in to how a family operates, even animals. Recommend it.

I had to give this author 5 stars. I have a read loads of books that I have really enjoyed but this story I felt I was alongside Jonah and his family, amazing had a tear in my eye...

This book was well written, beautifully sympathetic characters and was a real page turner, I wanted to keep reading to find out the truth about the event of the 'bad day'.