Paula Kerns' review of Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel

         Lurlene McDaniel’s realistic young adult story, Breathless, tells the story of Travis a seventeen year old champion diver experiencing his fourth recurrence of cancer whose health is  quickly deteriorating.  Travis is not of legal age to make an advance directive to not resuscitate. Even though this is his desire, his parents refuse to accept this.  McDaniel portrays in depth the raw complexity of this difficult emotional, social and moral issue through each supporting character. Each chapter is titled after a character and narrated through that character’s perspective and how each is personally, deeply affected. Because his parents are unwilling to honor his request, Travis asks his friends to carry out a secret plan that greatly disturbs his friends. Their obvious love for Travis makes this aching story more bearable. How can we best support our friends and loved ones; even though we ideally want a different outcome for them? Will Travis’ last resort wish be carried out? If so, we are asked to reflect and decide if this would be an act of murder or mercy?

         Breathless is a soulful exploration of differing perspectives of euthanasia through Travis' story. Travis’ family wanted to keep him alive as long as possible as they couldn’t bear to lose him, regardless of his extreme emotional and physical pain, bleak prognosis and desire to die. Letting go of people we love is never easy, but respecting their wishes could also be seen as our final act of love for them. This book could possibly inspire and comfort people in similar situations to be more open and empathetic to the wishes of the person whose life is limited to feeding tubes, respiratory devices and constant pain. An advance directive is a very personal decision. McDaniels invites us to open our minds and hearts about euthanasia instead of solely judging whether it is right or wrong.

          Due to the emotional intensity of this theme, I think it would be more appropriate for college aged students or read by families dealing with losing a loved one who chose not to resuscitate. Having experienced something similar to this situation, I found Breathless helpful in sorting out some emotions that have stayed with me after losing a family member in a hospitalized situation where there was no advanced directive and emotional fallout that affected various surviving loved ones. The judgements people made and the pain endured during these situations have had unfortunate, long lasting effects and I hope they can heal someday.

Paula Kerns Sept. 15, 2016 EDRL 524