Synopsis: Simon’s long-term girlfriend had just expressed her desire to begin a physical relationship with him and he really did seem to be the lucky one until his life was turned upside down after an accident during a school rugby match leaves him paralysed. His best friend, Danny, however, is unhappy and troubled at school. Still, several months of close proximity with Emma, Simon’s girlfriend, soon has Danny preoccupied with far more than exam success.

Review: Paralysed has proved incredibly popular with my students, possibly owing to its deeply romantic story but also its powerful message of strength and commitment in adversity.

The characters are all likeable and expose their human frailties for us as readers to be supportive and sympathetic rather than condemnatory. Owing to each chapter being written from a different character’s perspective, we are able to see inside their heads and discover their feelings about the same incidents. Simon’s future is bright: his long-term girlfriend wants a sexual relationship with him, he is a star turn on the rugby pitch and academically things could not be better. Danny, his best friend, is not so settled. His on-off relationship with his ex-girlfriend, low self-esteem and his inability to focus on studying leaves him feeling something of a ‘loser’ overshadowed by Simon but not jealous of him. Simon’s two best friends – Emma and Danny – could not be more supportive of him once he is paralysed. Emma is determined to love him no matter what, despite the likelihood of them never being able to make love and Danny changes his entire life through his dedication to raising money for Simon by climbing the Three Peaks. However, their continued proximity owing to hospital visits, results - almost inevitably - in a mutual love developing. Their attempts to stop their feelings growing and avoid hurting Simon is heart-warming but you find yourself willing them to declare their love, which ultimately they do.

This novel is educational in the sense that we learn lots about different degrees of paralysis and its effects. We learn through Simon what he can expect and hope for. His ward mate, also paralysed but not so severely, is a ‘C1 incomplete’ and although he does not know if he and his wife will be able to make love, we learn later in the story that she is pregnant with his third child. The reader also learns of the impact of such an injury on the immediate family. Simon’s parents initially withdraw from one another and his younger brother is left completely isolated but eventually, after much discussion they become reunited as a family unit.

I could write so much more about this novel but must adhere to the word limit! Suffice to say, it is a page-turner which took merely hours to complete. An experience my students have seemed to share. Whether it could be taught as a class reader I am not sure but it is certainly a book to recommend to students as a heart-warming romance advocating strength in adversity.

2006-10-07