A cancer-striken woman has to face the outcome of this disease (Lightning - Danielle Steel)

Member Name: diamond_sparkles

Product:	Lightning - Danielle Steel
Date:	18/07/09 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Realistic, great characters and lots of psychological insights

Disadvantages: None

This is one of my favourite Danielle Steel novels. I really do believe that this is literary art in its perfection. Everything about this book pleased me- from the characters, to the incidents, the plot, the twists and turns, as well as the suspense. There are very few novels which combine suspense, romance and drama well, but I believe that this book certainly does justice to Steel's reputation as a best-selling author.

The plot centers around the life of Alexandra, whose nearly perfect life is brusquely interrupted by a tragic event as she is diagnosed with breast cancer. I particularly appreciated Danielle Steel's element of cancer in one of her novels because I believe that very few novels mention breast cancer- or if they do, they do not handle this theme properly. If you read my previous reviews you will see that the one thing I look for in books and/or films is the handling of realism. I liked this particular book very much because of the way that Danielle Steel depicted the impact of such news upon a family, how the husband copes with it, the effect it has upon the children, and the emotional pressure for the patient herself.

I believe that this one book will please cancer patients or friends and families of cancer patients, not because Danielle Steel provided entertainment from such a tragic illness (as suggested by some literary critics), but simply because the realistic aspect of it will help someone into feeling that he or she is not alone in the struggle. In fact, friends and families of any cancer patient will like the book, because I do believe that certain actions or even mistakes of the characters can help anyone in understanding how to support and encourage a cancer patient. While this may be a work of fiction, I strongly appreciate the psychological aspect of the novel. Somehow, I believe that this does not only provide entertainment, but also some precious guidance. In addition, cancer patients will sense the hope, as well as the warmth and support expressed in this book.

I can not be sure, but it is my personal opinion that the reason why Danielle Steel handled a medical theme so marvelously well, with jus the right dose of tact and realism is because she has faced certain illnesses and the way to cope with them through her son, Nick Trania. This is probably why the emotions of the characters seem so vivid and genuine in the novel.

This is, according to me, one of the best Danielle Steel book ever.

Thanks for reading!

Summary: Yet another Masterpiece...