Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman
My name is Shawn McDaniel… I think my father is planning to kill me…
About the Book
Shawn McDaniel’s life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. He is glued to his wheelchair, unable to voluntarily move a muscle-he can’t even move his eyes. for all Shawn’s father knows, his son may be suffering. Shawn may want a release, and as long as he is unable to communicate his true feelings to his father, Shawn’s life is in danger.
To the world, Shawn’s senses seem dead. Within these pages, however, we meet a side of him that no one else has seen – a spirit that is rich beyond imagining, breathing life.
My Thoughts
It’s a very short book at just over 100 pages, but that does not mean it doesn’t pack a punch. Shawn is a wonderful creation and he will certainly challenge the assumption made by many that a severe physical disability automatically indicates a severe mental one. Unable to express himself to the world around him in any way, Shawn instead tells us his about his life, and it is a tale that will stay with you for quite some time after you have turned the final page.
Saying that, I was left with the feeling something was missing (and I don’t think it was just due to the ambiguous ending,) although I couldn’t put my finger on it, and that it could have been even better that it was.
Still, it was an excellent read.
[rating:3.5/5]
About the Author
Terry Trueman was born on December 15, 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama, but grew up in Seattle. He attended the University of Washington, where he received his B.A. in creative writing. He also has an M.S. in applied psychology and an M.F.A. in creative writing, both from Eastern Washington University. The father of two sons, Henry and Jesse, Terry Trueman makes his home in Spokane, Washington, where he has lived since 1974
Awards and Honours
Alyce (4)
Beth F (3)
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Amused (2)
Clare Swindlehurst (2)
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Ms. SP (2)
Allison (1)
CanadianAuthors (1)
Cha.. (1)
Wow, talk about packing punch! This sounds like a book that could generate a lot of discussion AND raise some very serious subjects. Crazy. Too bad it wasn’t as good as it could have been.
Heather J.´s last blog post: Number the Stars
Sounds excellent! I almost mooched this one from you actually, but then realized that I would be costing you a LOT of money if I mooch everytime you post something you review :p It always bugs me when it feels like something is missing from a book, but this still sounds really good…and it was a Printz nominee so I have to read it anyway :p
Chris´s last blog post: Weekly Geeks – Literature in New Olreans
Feel free to mooch it if you want Chris, it’s only a light book, and the only wishlists it is on are US anyway…
This is a book I would have to read eventually. Too bad you didn’t love it!
Kailana´s last blog post: Music Munday
It was a pretty heavy book – but I know what you mean about something missing though. For me the idea of someone being fully conscious but the world not knowing was what really hit me the hardest. But I didn’t connect with the character at all and I think that may have been the something missing, for me anyway.
Joanne´s last blog post: Music Mundays ♦ Track 1
Even though you said something was missing this sounds like a good book to give a try. I might add it to my TBR pile.
Monique´s last blog post: A Second First Time: Booking Through Thursday
Oh, it’s definitely worth reading if you find a copy, and even though I did think ’something’ was missing it is still very powerful stuff!