Dead Man Dreaming by Uday MukerjiMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dead Man Dreaming is a remarkable fiction that feels like an autobiography throughout. Written in the first person, David describes disturbing changes in his future prospects in respect of his career ambition and his relationship with Chloe, the girl of his dreams, due to the discovery that he has Huntington’s Disease. Painfully aware of the mental and physical suffering his father went through before he died, and from whom he inherited the condition, the young doctor had been avoiding the possibility previously. Like a slap in the face David is stunned by the shock; his plans are ended, and for a while his emotions are wrenched back and forth.
The way that he confronts the situation and attempts to build a future life is inspirational and believable. It promises to be fulfilling and rewarding in so many new ways and this is due in no small part to the help, faith, and indeed love, he finds through a chance meeting with Jessie, a fellow student from his high school days. But of course, for the reader to get something from a book, it also needs skilful writing of the plot and character development by the author. And it has that in spades! Not only was the concept of hereditary disease screening interesting and intriguing to me, but so was the developing relationship between David and Jessie. His journey from start to end within the novel’s narrative was fascinating and emotionally challenging. Dead Man Dreaming is ‘a good read’; recommended for anyone who enjoys contemporary literature.
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