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    Because
    Because
    Because
    Ebook564 pages8 hours

    Because

    By Jack A. Langedijk

    4/5

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Six months ago Roberto Sanchez was climbing the world's highest mountain.

    Now, he can't walk.

    The tragic accident on Mount Everest changes everything for Roberto, a loving 48-year-old husband to Monique, and father to Jenny. As a professional mountain climber and motivational speaker, he had reached the summit of many mountains and helped others reach theirs.

    Now facing the toughest climb of his life, Roberto is troubled by his own ideals and morals. As his family life tumbles through turbulent events, he is no longer the giver of service but the recipient—a shift that infuses anger and pushes away the people he loves most. 

    When Jenny receives her father's private journal—the one he promised as her inheritance, once he was dead—it is a race against time for her to get to him before it's too late.

    Inspired by real-life events, this is Roberto's story—a broken man's climb from the furthest depths of human grief to the heights of self awareness and discovery. It is a story that plumbs the very depths of the human psyche, showing the options for triumph or torment in choices and perspectives open to us all.

    e-SCRIBES, UK - November 10, 2016

    "We find this a skillful, thoughtful and deeply moving novel... and it's an inspiration to anyone who knows someone in this situation, or whose physical life as they knew it has been unexpectedly curtailed. This book is a life lesson from which we will all extract our own, differing, narratives."

    MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW - Small Press Bookwatch November 2015 Issue

    "A deftly crafted novel and an absorbing read from beginning to end, "because" is a compelling and thoroughly entertaining novel that documents author Jack Langedijk's truly exceptional storytelling skills..." - Midwest Book Review

    KIRKUS REVIEWS MAGAZINE - August 15, 2015 Issue

    "...Langedijk has lots to say about courage, compassion, redemption, and self-worth...  

    Meditations on some of life's biggest questions as told through some harrowing experiences."—Kirkus Reviews

    "The book has left me with a great impression. It made me feel that everything happens for a reason." - Katarina

    "Langedijk explores the depths of human suffering in a realistic, uplifting way. His characters deal with real and relatable issues that affect so many people today, especially the young..." - Michael Head

    "I enjoyed reading this book, it had a truly inspirational ending." - Vicky Boackle

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJack Langedijk
    Release dateDec 12, 2014
    ISBN9780993758607
    Because

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    • 4/5
      I was invited by the author’s press people to read/review Because. Sounded great. When it arrived in the mail, I was more than a little skeptical. If I had seen this on a bookshelf, I would have passed it by. The cover art is confusing, the title is boring and weird (that lowercase “b” really threw me off), and the back cover text didn’t pull me in.Then, I started reading. The first 23 pages were bad. I had no idea what was happening. Thank God for my 50-page rule (I almost always give a book 50 pages before I say it’s not for me).By the time I reached page 50, I realized that those first pages merely had a badly placed flashback.And by the time, I reached page 50, I was hooked on Robert and his story. Robert, real name Roberto Sanchez, had a great life: He gave workshops to at-risk kids; he climbed mountains—and had climbed the most difficult ones, including Mt. Everest; he had a loving and supportive wife, and a beautiful daughter. He was “on the top of the world,” physically and psychologically. Then, the avalanche happened. He was trapped beneath six stories of snow and ice. He was rescued, obviously, but lost both legs. How does a man go from being active and fit, to no longer being able to do the things he loved? It’s hard that’s for sure.Robert’s story weaves between past and present, not necessarily in that order. Langedijk does a great job in naming each chapter so readers can figure out what’s happening. For the past, Langedijk also weaves in the stories of how the other three members of Robert’s climbing party (not including the guides) came to be in that group. Troy, Nancy, and Phillip are fascinating, well-developed characters. I was especially taken with Troy, and I think other readers will find him one of their favorite characters also. The author also weaved in Robert’s sessions with a counselor. For the present story, Lanfedijk provides a linear story that culminates in heartbreak and happiness. Toward the end, the story became a little preachy and got a little old. But by the end, I was once again riveted with Robert’s plight.I give Because 4 out of 5 stars.

    Book preview

    Because - Jack A. Langedijk

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