Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope by Don and Susie Van Ryn et al.
>> Saturday, May 10, 2008
Additional Authors: Newell, Colleen and Whitney Cerak, with Mark Tabb
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 261
Challenge: Non-Fiction Five #1, A-Z Reading #29 (V Author)
In 2006 a Taylor University van was involved in a horrifying accident. Five people died and Laura Van Ryn was critically injured and in a coma. The funerals were held and Laura’s family and friends rallied around in support of her and each other through what promised to be a long recovery.
Five weeks later it was determined that the young woman everyone thought to be Laura Van Ryn was actually Whitney Cerak. Whitney’s family had already held her funeral and the Van Ryn family who had been caring for who they thought was Laura suddenly learned that Laura had died five weeks earlier.
I remember following this story in the news and was fascinated that such a thing could happen. This book is quite an emotional read. I admit to more than a few tears. It’s a bit heavy on the religious aspects but I knew that going in and while not my lifestyle I knew it was theirs. The people involved in this story cannot be discussed separately from their faith. The authors clearly state in the preface that their reason for writing the book was to explain how their faith was what helped both families endure not only the initial tragedy, but the incredible turnaround in fate for both families.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
20 comments:
I just picked this book up a few days ago! I'm really looking forward to it!!
I want to read this one. Whitney is a good friend of Teresa's cousin in Michigan. This was a really difficult ordeal for the them and the whole community.
Just reading your review brought tears to my eyes!
Tara: it's an interesting story. Not necessarily well written, but interesting, nonetheless.
Karen: Wow on the small world connection to Whitney. The last chapter is written by Whitney and really got to me. All about how due to the brain injury, she's doing well, but is not the same Whitney she was.
Teddy: it's an emotional story.
I read about this and followed it at the time. Right after Eleanor's review, the whole story was on TV. It answered a lot of the "What?!" questions I had. Quite a story, indeed.
Hi, Suzi. Quite an intriguing and sad story, and I probably will pick up the book.
I've got a technical question for you -- how did you add the different tabs to your blog? Great idea!
Joy - definitely! I missed the TV stuff (I think it was Dateline or 20/20 or one of those?)
Kay: The tabs were a challenge, but I was determined. I set up the other pages as separate blogs and used the method at this link to create and insert the tabs. It took some tweaking and I did it on a test blog before making the changes here.
I read this book also. I had heard about the story on television - and the book managed to answer a lot of questions. But I agree about the religious aspects of the book. I found it to be a little "preachy".
Somehow I never heard this story. It sounds astonishing. I definitely want to read it.
I hadn't heard about this until the tv thing. Quite bizarre. Can't imagine how hard it was.
This was a huge story where I was from (Michigan). I think I may look for it around the library. Great review!
Erin: I guess that part didn't really bother me because I knew about it going in. I'm not as overt as these folks are with their faith and worship, but it's definitely something that is a deep and important part of their family and their lives. It also helped them through something I cannot imagine coping with.
Jeane: Like I said - I remember reading a few articles at the time, so it was nice to read the perspective of the people involved.
Booklogged: I simply cannot imagine being in their places.
Kristie: Hope you get a chance to read it.
Oh, I remember hearing this on the news and just trying to imagine what both families went through. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Carrie: like I said above, it's an interesting story. Not necessarily well written, but interesting, nonetheless.
i'm going through my unread Goodreads emails and found your link to your review. i don't think i heard about this when it happened. i'm going to add the book to my "to read" list.
Alison - I'll be looking forward to hearing what you think.
I saw this interview on I think it was Dateline...maybe and it was so interesting. Can't wait to pick up the book.
Joy - thanks for stopping by. I didn't see the Dateline show, so I don't know how much more in depth the book might be. I'll be interested to see what you think.
whoaa...wow. sounds CRAZY.
Sheri: when I was following the story in the news I really wondered how it could have happened, but the book does explain it well.
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