This is a good summer read. The author researched the real life of a woman who had been in an iron lung her whole life and used it as a basis for this book. The book isn't just about her, but covers her friend and others who live in a small town and rally around her as volunteers since she can't move anything but her head. Her best friend and helper has personal and financial troubles of her own. If nothing else, this book will make you be glad for what you have and what you are able to do. The Virtues of OxygenBy: Susan SchoenbergerWhat it's all about...This book is about a small town, the Great Depression and Holly and Vivian. Holly was always wealthy but that is no longer the case...she is a widow struggling to support her two sons. Vivian had polio as a child and has spent most of her life in an iron lung. Volunteers from their town take turns watching her around the clock. Vivian is one of those volunteers.Where it all takes place...Most of the story takes place in the town...some of it at Vivian's house.When much of it happens...It felt as though most of the book took place over a relatively short period of time...but during that time Holly's aunt died, her brother lost his job, her mother had a stroke and stopped supplementing Holly's income and life for Holly got increasingly more and more difficult.Which characters had the most impact on me...I think I felt the most for Holly. She was widowed at such a young age and was doing everything she could to keep her house and feed her sons but with each month she fell more and more behind. Plus she ate less so her boys could eat more.Whom did I appreciate the most...I think when I read about Vivian's life in this machine...I really appreciated her mother. The descriptions of life in this machine were nightmarish. Really, truly, scary! And her mother devoted her life caring for Vivian.Whom did I appreciate the least...Holly's brother might have been the only character that did not have my sympathy...poor boy to have to sell his BMW...Why I wanted to read it...The description of this book was very appealing to me. Small town, two women who are friends in spite of having nothing in common...it just worked for me. What made me truly enjoy this book...This book was just simply a lovely yet unusual story. Who even thinks about polio or an iron lung machine? I would have thought that there would be replacements for it or that Vivian would have had round the clock nursing care at a special facility. Why you should read it, too...If you are the kind of reader who loves a sweet yet sad story...one that will tug at your heart and make you think about life? This is the perfect book for you.
What do You think about Virtues Of Oxygen, The (2014)?
Fantastic book. Couldn't put it down. Shows how some people overcome their disability.
—Fardeen
It has a slow beginning, but by the end I'm pretty sure you'll be in tears.
—chauci
Such an interesting story. Witty, charming Unusual
—Reesephone
