This is one of the soft-reads I have chosen as in-betweener, to escape a little from the heavy-handed, often depressing, other books I love to indulge in. It is a well-constructed, intriguing story that kept me going forward despite the obvious clues of the outcome. There even might have been quite an impressive number of other books with a similar theme. Mother or father lands in a coma, secrets are revealed, town and family gets involved, the ambiance around the saga is romantic, sentimental, Hallmark-ish. But sometimes I just need this kind of book to balance my reading-psyche out. And this one worked splendidly.Official blurb:When Mikaela Campbell, beloved wife and mother, falls into a coma, it is up to her husband, Liam, to hold the family together and care for their grieving, frightened children. Doctors tell him not to expect a recovery, but he believes that love can accomplish what medical science cannot. Daily he sits at her bedside, telling her stories of the precious life they have built together, hoping against hope that she will wake up. But then he discovers evidence of his wife’s secret past: a hidden first marriage to movie star Julian True.Desperate to bring Mikaela back at any cost, Liam knows he must turn to Julian for help. But will that choice cost Liam his wife, his family, and everything he holds dear? One of Kristin Hannah’s most moving novels, Angel Falls is a poignant and unforgettable portrait of marriage and commitment, of an ordinary man who dares to risk everything in the name of love.There you have it. Quite a heavy load of clichés are thrown in to establish the all-american entertainment family feeling - those television and movie families, the do-gooders, the divine carriers of the American feel-good genes.Living and working in a harsh environment, I often indulge in this kind of reads because deep down inside I want to believe that the good people in the world is still winning; and the good people set the standards of the good things in life, such as happy family Christmastimes, and happy family birthday celebrations, etc. In real life it does not always exist, as we all know. In fact, there are more movies (and statistics) depicting the opposite, and in my heart I want them to go away and let the good guys storm in and take over the running of the world. Intellectually this kind of story does not make it to the finishing line, because the world is way too cruel and uncompromising for it. But emotionally I allow this kind of story to win and I bet my bottom dollar on these characters to not only be part of the saga, but also part of real life as well. In fact, I want to, and do believe(or at least hope) they are based on real people! It's part of my head-in-the-sand-stand!So, as a soft-read with a few realistic and unrealistic elements combined, this is a good book to read in its genre. The moral of the story is interesting to explore. I am not giving away any clues whatsoever. I am happy with the ending. It fits this story, and that's where I get out of it. You can indulge and enjoy if you want to know more :-))This was my introduction to Kristin Hannah. I hope to come back to more of her books as time permits. But for now she has made me feel better about the world.
Forgoing high drama and dysfunctional elements, Angel Falls takes a conservative approach and focuses on a simple, yet profound issue that is still deeply moving and emotional. Thus, begins the story of a couple who learn what love truly means, and deciding whether it is enough. Set in Angel Falls, a geographically appealing, small anonymous town where the people are the heart of the community. It is a place where everyone knows everyone and where families are raised. It is also a place for escape and where Mikaela Luna find refuge from a painful past. Here she meets Liam Campbell, a quiet man who loves her fully. Here Mikaela nurtures a broken heart, raises a family, and settle into life. It is a life so unlike the former one she has known: a fast, disillusioned world with a man who appears larger than life and has a hold on her heart, despite being the one to break it. All this changes when an accident puts Mikaela in a coma and her past re-emerges. Suddenly the love Liam and Mikaela share come under scrutiny. Is it enough? Was it ever enough? For Liam, it is a realization that he is unsure he can still settle for a part of his wife's love if she loves another. For Mikaela, it is a realization of taking her husband's love for granted, and her inability to fully love him back because of another man.In the wake of Mikaela's recovery comes clarity, renewed questions posed through a different perspective, where what was is not what seems and is. The re-appearance of Julian True into her life allows Mikaela to finally come to terms with her past and discover things about herself she has never realized.The characters are what support and makes the story. Central to the story is Mikaela's family who represent solidity and security in her life. Her husband, Liam loves her, but who has settled for her love with the belief that it is enough. Her children, Jacey and Bret represent her success in motherhood. Her mother Rosa also has a strong presence; her mistakes mirror those of her daughter's except she is in a position to provide wisdom and guidance to her daughter.The setting and beauty of Angel Falls do more than appeal; they represent a contrast to Mikaela's former life and now. Though small, the town provides peace, serenity and home, a place of acceptance. This in contrast to the big city, where faces are anonymous and lacks the feel of home.The story itself is simple; there is no family drama concerning infidelity, teenage rebellion and angst or complex issues. But even without these elements, the story remain moving and insightful. Instead, the betrayals are those that are hidden or quietly yearned for. They reside in words unspoken, and feelings withheld. It is the accident that provide Liam and Mikaela the chance to find significance in their love, re-affirm their love, and strengthen the bonds of their family.
What do You think about Angel Falls (2005)?
Not a bad book. First time reading something by this author. A plausible story-which probably does happen in real life. Books and movies too often show people that have had head trauma and amnesia, will wake up and either remember their lives or not remember. This story is about how far a husband will go to save his wife, which involves contacting her ex-husband, who just happens to be a major celebrity. He knew nothing about her ex because they never discussed it. He came across items she had hidden in her closet while trying to find a gown for their daughter to wear. He knows he could lose his wife by doing this if she wakes up and wants to be with her ex. Time goes on, she wakes, thinks she is still married to her ex, doesn't recognize her husband, son but remembers her daughter who she thinks is still a baby. A child she had with her ex, but he never was in her life and she thinks of her step dad as her father. but, fast forward a few days, slowly pieces of her life comes back, maybe too quickly for one to believe, but she remembers why she left her ex, why she married her current husband, and remembers her son. Her daughter discovers her real dad is a major movie star, and doesn't really want to meet him. Unless this girl is from another planet, most 16 year olds would want to know their parent even though that person had chosen not to be involved in their life. But this girl didn't want to. In the end, the mom leaves the hospital, goes home to her family. Not a bad book, would've liked a little more drama around the ex, current husband, maybe even a little rebellion with the daughter. But, the book ended with basically the happily ever after.
—Darlene
What a wonderful book! I was completely lost in this story that was mainly told through the eyes of the Liam, Mikaela's husband. It gave a unique insight into a man's perspective of love and family. This is not a gushy romance story, rather it is a moving tale of a family struggling to get through the most challenging time of their lives. It is about self discovery and realisations of what is truly important in life. The characters where easy to relate to and I found a little of my own life story in the pages of this book, having been raised by a man who was not my biological father but loving just the same.I came across this book on audio and will definiately read more books by Kristin Hannah as I loved her style and the way in which she told this story. It is beautifully written!
—Alaine
I can kill this author! I read this book cause the reviews given here convinced me, talking to patient in a coma, my kind of story.But aaaggghhhh! This writer didn’t do the minimum homework with her Mexican character! I mean, a Mexican woman who actually makes a mistake saying “good night” (many times too) in her mother tongue?!!? That finishes every sentence with “si?” when she would actually end it with “no?” I can’t explain what this novel has done to my frustration level… now I am skipping paragraphs just to find out if she will wake up to only Julian – another obnoxious character BTW – or what… I am suffering this novel!!!
—Shulamit
