- ISBN13: 9780972807128
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product DescriptionTerminal cancer patient Walter Schifter was contemplating his life. Reporter RuthAnn Hogue was documenting both his life and impending death while contemplating a few eternal matters of her own. Barely out of journalism school, the 35-year-old mother of five was nearing her final court date in divorce court. She hadn’t been to church in months. At least she had a best friend to see her through the turmoil. If only she were single already, maybe he could be her bo. . . More >>
Goodbye, Walter: The Inspiring Story of a Terminal Cancer Patient
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This book gave me stomach cancer. And it’s so awful it didn’t even give me terminal stomach cancer. Instead, now I have to live with its ill effects long after I set it down to contemplate its preposterous existence. It’s not poor ol’ Walter’s fault; I imagine his story is given the weight it deserves. It’s Hogue’s story, interwoven with the cancer victim’s, that makes this book revolting on every level. Hogue seems to think she’s God’s gift to . . . well, everything. She paints an unflattering picture of herself: a writing hack, a frizzy-haired makeup-smeared eccentric, a starved-for-affection divorced mother, not a has-been but a never-will-be. (She reminds me a lot of Norma Desmond, the crazy-eyed actress from Sunset Blvd. I can almost hear her saying, “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille. “) Reading her story, I would not choose to read another one of her books. Instead, I would make a strong case to have her committed to a scientific facility where she can be quarantined until a cure for Super-Ego can be found and administered. And what’s the deal with the product tie-ins: she has “Goodbye, Walter” doggy T-shirts!!! Does she have no respect for the dead. I hope Walter digs himself up just to smack her a good one.
Rating: 1 / 5
I have had the fortune to come across this book as my own family had to say farewell and as a mental health professional I’ve passed this book onto others. A must have for any counselor like myself. A++ Excellent Author & journey
Rating: 5 / 5
At first I was a little confused about who this book was about, Walter or RuthAnn. But as I finished the first chapter, I realized that it is about both of them and how Walter’s terminal illness enlightened him about his life’s purpose and the difference that he made and touched RuthAnn’s life in profound ways as well. Isn’t that the meaning of enlightenment? I think that it is showing another, by example, something that makes a difference in their own life and transforms them. Through her relationship with Walter, his wife and his friends, RuthAnn began to see life through a different, more empowering avenue and she made more positive choices. I appreciated the opportunity to get close to people that I would not have otherwise gotten to know and realize again, how precious and wonderful it is to be alive. . . . it’s not about me. . . . all the time!
Rating: 3 / 5
Goodbye, Walter: The Inspiring Story Of A Terminal Cancer Patient by RuthAnn Hogue is an influential biographical depiction of a struggle for life and the many barriers required for survival. Hogue’s personal story will enrapture the reader in its telling of a difficult and inconceivably strenuous time for both the author and Walter Shifter, her friend dying of cancer. Goodbye, Walter is very strongly recommended for its inspirational content for readers looking to overcome their own difficult situation, as well as readers who have friends with cancer or other terminal conditions.
Rating: 5 / 5
As the publisher, it’s interesting to see the reaction of different people to Goodbye, Walter. Some seem to get it and are deeply touched by it. There may be others who can’t understand why the focus in the book is on RuthAnn, the author.
We, the publishers, asked RuthAnn to focus on herself–it wasn’t her idea, and the original manuscript she submitted didn’t do that. The reason is that the beauty of Walter’s story is the change he wrought in her. Here is Walter Schifter, who felt so worthless as he was approaching the end of his life that he wanted to commit suicide. However, once he is properly cared for, the richness of his personality and his value as an individual come out. He comes to realize that, even though doctors have told him he has only two weeks to live, every day still matters because he now has a purpose for living. His focus changes from his pain and misery to what he can do for others during those last days.
RuthAnn, as she comes to know Walter, is profoundly affected by his sense of purpose, and she is touched in such a way that she decides to put her own life back together.
I love her honesty and her openness. She is struggling with a life that has, in its most important aspects, come unglued, and she freely shares that with us. Walter doesn’t preach–he’s not that kind of person. But, with his example and his deep desire to be useful to others, he helps her see what is truly important in life. As she builds her life on those important things, it falls into place. And that is the point of this story. It’s a profound, beautiful lesson.
We are seeing tendencies in society to devalue the lives of those with terminal illnesses, people who are totally dependent on others. Some even encourage them to end their lives early. With this book, Walter and RuthAnn show us that life has eminent value, even in its final, potentially miserable days.
Rating: 5 / 5