Review by lorriebeth -- Days of the Giants by RJ Petrella

[lorriebeth]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Days of the Giants" by RJ Petrella.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Days of the Giants by R.J. Petrella
Review by Lorrie Ehrenberg

This book is about Boston City Hospital, a public teaching hospital in Boston that has been serving the city for 130 years. It serves people with or without insurance. The "giants" of the hospital are the men and women who started the hospital and who believe in it's goal, to serve all people no matter who they are or whether rich or poor. The men and women who work there are very dedicated to the ideal of the public hospital. But the building is getting very old and needs updating. The mayor is planning to have money allotted to have Boston City Hospital updated. The hospital across the street is also fighting to get the money that is planned to update Boston City Hospital, and plans a merger/takeover with Boston City Hospital. This story tells about the politics, corruption and the fight to keep the public hospital by it's staff, patients, and others for all the citizens of Boston.

The prelude and first chapter grab you immediately and you want to hear the whole story.

The description of the characters make them come to life and you grow to 'love and hate' them. The relationships between the characters are described well.

The author's description of the accident floor or ER at Boston City Hospital makes you feel like you are there. Both hospitals, Boston City and Academy, are described in a way that makes you sense the different atmosphere in each building. At both hospitals you can see the doctors and nurses going about their business and see how they relate to their patients and to each other. The difference in the two hospitals and the staff is very easy to see. One is selfishness and the other is public service and true dedication.

The author's style of writing makes the book very interesting and I give it 4 out of 4 stars. There was not anything I did not like about this book.

Slater is an interesting character with very complicated human relationships with his mother, girlfriend, step-father and some of his friends. We see him grow throughout the story and he is easy to relate to.

The fact the Slater's dead father writes some of the chapters is a very intriguing twist to the story and it works well.

Just when you think you have the story and the bad guys all figured out, the story surprises you a little. The scene on the boat is told very well without being gruesome. I really liked how the author ended the book. It is a very enjoyable read for all young adult and older readers.

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Days of the Giants
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[Erin Painter Baker]

This is a very different description of the plot of this book than I have read elsewhere, and frankly, a more interesting description. I kind of want to read the book you reviewed (even though I don't tend to read mysteries or thrillers). Great job.