4 out of 4 stars
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Can a car dealer write a book? Well, Mike Murphy did just that, and it is already his second. As I began reading this book, I thought this would be just another cheap romantic tale. But I was wrong. In Living in Color: A Love Story in Sickness and in Health he describes his personal story. “Living in color” was the way the author's wife called their romantic relationship, as opposed to only living in black and white. He falls in love with a young beautiful married woman. He feels as if he has a new life. Shall he abandon his wife and four children for her?
After a long and hard decision, he faces another challenge. His wife got cancer. He stays by her side and follows her on the narrow path she has to go. In the most difficult moments, there always appears a ray of hope, a new medicine, a better doctor. She still remains optimistic, though pain killers sometimes numb her. He is determined to join her in the fight.
The author is an almost full-time care giver and advocate for his spouse. Once, as he is in another city at a conference, he suddenly is informed that his wife has been delivered with urgency to the hospital. Desperately, he rushes home, taking the next flight. Mike encounters obstacles at the airport and, dragging his heavy bag, he gets a stiff neck. So much so, that when he joins his wife he has to lie down in pain.
My own mother died of cancer. I know a few things about this deadly disease. What I read in this book was sometimes even closer, as I felt like this woman did. I knew it before, but now I know for sure: cancer is horrible. The author selflessly accompanies his wife in the fight against the disease. What I liked most about this book was the refined style of the author. This made it a pleasure to read. The characters were properly introduced and described. Another thing that helped were the many pictures relating to the different stages of the account. Also, the author didn't spare himself when negative aspects of his life were to be told.
This is a book about romance, so there is a lot of romantic language in it. Some like it, some don't. The love emails, internet messages and posts got quite extensive at times. It was not too tortuous, though, as the book contains only 157 pages, images occupying a part of it.
Maybe the subject is not of my liking, but I have to give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. The book is exceptionally well written. I found one single error. It delivers a message of love, tolerance, of hope. This is especially a good read for women or for any romantic person. Young people could read this book as well.
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Living in Color
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