Our discussion of "Ghost boy"

Our better-late-than-never meeting to discuss October's choice was worth waiting for. The "ghost boy", Martin Pistorius, suffered abuse and frustration but was able through sheer will to communicate and live an almost normal life. Originally sent to a daycare for disabled children, he was parked in front of a television and subjected to "Barney" for hours on end. No one knew he was aware, and no one seemed to care. But our hero is persistent, and one staff member whom he was close to recognized that there was life and awareness inside the shell Martin had become. After this, it took years, but Martin was able to learn how to use special software and a laptop to communicate with the world. He won the battle, and most would say the war as well. But just how did he manage to get that HEA? The book is a little thin on the details, and the group agreed that more scientific or medical information would have been welcomed. Some of the darker thoughts were skimmed over, and that may have been to keep the more upbeat tone. But we wanted to hear more about the struggle, and the frustrations of living in a body you can't control, unable to make even your most basic needs known.

One of the other questions we had was...Why was Martin able to keep from being bitter, when no one was really looking at him, and realizing he was there? This wasn't talked about in the book...again to keep the book light and upbeat? We know through a small window that Martin did suffer abuse from some of his caregivers, yet he seems to hold on to the progress and possibilities he now has. Admirable.

One section of the story that was a bit darker was the time Martin's mother was having a very hard time accepting and dealing with the situation her son was in. She even tells him that he should give up and die, because in her eyes nothing could ever change for him. Yet, as soon as the family realizes there is hope, she because his biggest cheerleader. Martin's father was the rock, always there and steady for his son. This family had its heart ripped out when Martin became a ghost boy, and they were repaired when he could finally communicate that he was there, and loved them. This book was inspirational, and we all were happy things ended up so well. We liked this book.