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    Goodnight, Brian: Life's Journey, Volume 5: A Road to Hope
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    Goodnight, Brian: Life's Journey, Volume 5: A Road to Hope
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    Goodnight, Brian: Life's Journey, Volume 5: A Road to Hope
    Ebook343 pages4 hours

    Goodnight, Brian: Life's Journey, Volume 5: A Road to Hope

    By Steven Manchester

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    "Fate was working against little Brian Mauretti. The food that was meant to nourish him was poisoning him instead, and the doctors said the damage was devastating and absolute. Fate had written off Brian. But fate didn’t count on a woman as determined as Brian’s grandmother, Angela DiMartino – who everyone knew as Mama. Loving her grandson with everything she had, Mama endeavored to battle fate. Fate had no idea what it was in for.

    An emotional tale about the strength of family bonds, unconditional love, and the perseverance to do our best with the challenging gifts we receive, Goodnight, Brian is an uplifting tribute to what happens when giving up is not an option.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStudio Digital CT, LLC
    Release dateFeb 10, 2017
    ISBN9781936558711
    Unavailable
    Goodnight, Brian: Life's Journey, Volume 5: A Road to Hope

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    Reviews for Goodnight, Brian

    4.5/5

    17 ratings10 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Goodnight Brian is as much about Brian as it is about Mama – Brian’s grandmother. While Brian is the object of the story, Mama is the source of power that inspires the family and the village surrounding Brian how to raise and treat him.It is a gripping story about real life issues and compels us to support people in such a way that they are able to reach their full potential. The main message is to become who you really are and to ignore how the world in general views you. It also reminds us to rally around one another in support when needed.To me, Mama’s character is a little over the top – in that she seems to be a super hero who can do it all and overcomes all without a hitch or glitch.I love the message conveyed in the book. Overall, it is a good and inspiring read for a lazy afternoon.
    • 5/5
      Goodnight, Brian was a great story full of inspiration, moments that just make you smile and think about the good times with your own family, and thoughts about our own direction in life.
    • 5/5
      Here is a story about one family's journey through life, in the face of some considerable obstacles.Brian Mauretti is the second child of Jan and Frank Mauretti, residents of Rhode Island. For his first few months, while he is breast-fed, everything is fine. When Jan switches him to a supposedly organic, soy-based, bottle formula, Brian's condition collapses. It starts with constant diarrhea, and inability to sleep, and goes downhill from there. Her pediatrician says not to worry. After six months of this, another pediatrician diagnoses Brian's condition.The formula maker intentionally removed the salt from the formula, allegedly to make it more healthy. A newborn baby needs certain minerals, including salt, every day. The lack of salt has done major damage to Brian's frontal lobe; he will never be able to walk or talk on his own.After the tears and anger, Jan's mother, Mama, the family matriarch (as New England Italian as they come), dismisses the bleak diagnosis from the doctor. She tells the family that the number one priority is helping Brian to reach his full potential. Dissent will not be tolerated. It takes several years, but Brian does learn to walk and talk. He thrives in the Rhode Island Special Olympics.If any of the local kids start teasing Brian, or just look at him the wrong way, Russ, his older brother, has no problem with pounding that person into a bloody pulp. As the years go on, the family experiences the same trials and tribulations that happen in any family. Jan and Frank's marriage does not survive. A daughter of Jan's sister Bev declares that she is gay, while the other daughter marries a black man. Mama takes the news much better than does Bob, Bev's husband. Mama is slowing down, but doesn't tell anyone in the family that she has cancer.This may sound like a silly cliche, but do whatever is necessary (and legal) to get a copy of this book. If purchasing it is not possible, then ask your library to get a copy. When life gets too difficult, a person sometimes needs an old-fashioned inspirational story about things like love and faith and hope. This is that story.
    • 4/5
      If you're looking for a book that is jam packed full of life lessons, societal and personal issues, and an overall emotional book, read "Goodnight, Brian", by Steven Manchester. The book was an easy read, but the further I got into it, the more drained I felt. Typically, books don't cover every single emotion and issue under the sun. I made a list of the issues this book features and they include, but are not limited to: divorce, cancer, sibling rivalry, remarriage, military, homosexuality, interracial relationships, mental disability, bullying, religion, faith, etc. The main character besides Brian is Mama, and she is a force to be reckoned with. Nearly every page she was showing determination, teaching someone a lesson, or praying to God. Not a bad thing, but it slowly became overwhelming. Each page features an issue, a lesson to learn from it, and that can be exhausting 100 pages in. I felt like I never got a break from discovering someone was divorcing, someone came out, someone joined the military, someone bullied someone else, etc.With that said, the book was good overall. It was easy to read and the main issue, a child who is basically given a diagnosis that guarantees no quality of life, shows what he can overcome is inspiring and nice to read. The world needs more people like Brian and Mama. Had this book focused on a few issues rather than everything the author could think of, I think it would have been a much easier read for me. If you're in need of an uplifting, inspiring story, read this book. Particularly because the ending was the best part.
    • 5/5
      This story begins in the 1976 when Frank, Joan and little Ross are expecting a new family member. All are so happy and we are are at Mama's, Angela DiMartino's, RI cottage. She is a strong woman who loves God and her family, she has three Grandchildren and is eagerly anticipating the birth of this new baby.When baby Brian arrives, the family is so happy, but the happiness only lasts a short time. Unknown to the family, outside forces are plaguing them and other families, in the form of greed. Brian is receiving tainted formula that forever changes their lives.When the Doctor tells them that he will never be more than he is right now, they are devastated. Mama says "NO", and she means it...their is no such word as "can't". She is one feisty woman, and takes this challenge personally. You will grow to love this woman, she is a force all on her own. Loved how she faces each challenge head on.This family is one to be envied, we would all love to have a Grandmother like Mama, and you begin to fell like you are part of her extended family. If you would love a great family read, with some heartache, but with a lot of devotion added in, then this is for you. I Loved It!I received this book from the Author, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      This book was emotionally draining but ultimately uplifting. It's a book about family, unconditional love and perseverance. I loved it.

      In a nutshell, Brian Mauretti is placed on a special formula because he is lactose intolerant. After months on the formula, his mother, Joan, is convinced that something is wrong despite the insistence of her pediatrician that everything is fine and he will grow out of his digestive problems. After a second opinion, they find that Brian has a rare disorder caused by a lack of sodium and chloride in his diet. His formula was making him sick and causing irreparable brain damage. The family was told that he would never walk, talk or do any other normal activity. Mama, Brian's maternal grandmother, knows otherwise. She knows that with hard word, love, and perseverance, Brian will do all of those things and more. As Brian grows, Mama works tirelessly to prove the doctors wrong.

      The first few chapters were especially hard for me to read. As a mother to two young boys, I really felt for Joan. As a mother, you do everything you can to make sure your child is healthy and happy. The author did a fantastic job of writing all the emotions a mother would feel in that situation: guilt, anger, exhaustion, frustration. I felt all of those things right along with Joan and my heart just broke for her. I find that sometimes male author shy away from delving too deeply into female emotions but Mr. Manchester really did a fantastic job.

      The author also did a fantastic job of painting a picture of Mama and her surroundings. She's a short, round Italian lady with a soft middle who smells of Jean Nate and garlic. She's fiercely protective of her family and loves them all unconditionally. She has more patience than I could ever hope to have. I could almost smell her red gravy, ravioli and spinach pies as I read. I could almost hear the ocean and feel the sand as they spent time on the beach. I really saw the strings of garlic in the windows of the shops in Little Italy. Not only do the descriptions paint a picture, they draw you in and make you a member of Mama's family.

      We follow Mama and her family from the late 70's through the early 90's. We are there and share in their joy when Brian has his "firsts." We are also there when Mama helps others in the family to deal with their struggles. She helps them get through divorce, relationships, leaving home, and more while doling out the kind of wisdom and unconditional love that I can only hope to offer my own grandchildren one day.


      This is not a book filled with mystery or action. The reader knows, for the most part, what's going to happen and where things will end. This isn't a book you read because you want to know what's going to happen next. There is some difficult subject matter, and there are some very emotional scenes. I've even read some reviews saying that it's depressing. I do not agree. This is a book you read to nourish your soul. It's a book that will instill a sense of hope. It's a book that can teach you how to love unconditionally, how to have patience, how to persevere in the face of defeat. It was uplifting.

      Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.
    • 3/5
      Although it was a slow start the book itself was redeeming. The story of how a family’s love can make a difference. It proves that a belief in anything is possible can come true. As “Mama” never gives up on the challenges that are before her and the family.

      Doctor after Doctor can’t come up with the solution. If it wasn’t for the persistence of “Mama” they might never have found out what was actually troubling Brian.
    • 5/5
      Author: Steven ManchesterPublished by: My Story PlantAge Recommended: Adult Reviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: 5Review:"Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester was a real very good 'Christian Fiction' read. The author did a wonderful job with this inspirational story from start till finished. "It is truly a story that teaches us a lessons of hope, perseverance, faith and love and will change how you look at your next darkest valley in your own life." This story takes place in l976, as Brian Francis Mauretti was born and Dr. Alexander informs them that due to a formula that had been fed to their son ...he would have devastating brain damage...not being ever to talk or walk being diagnosed with a 'Metabolic Alkalosis'... a blood disorder called Bartter's Syndrome. However, this grandma(Angela DiMartino)...referred to as Mama would have none of it and this beautiful story takes off from there...showing that with all the love and challenges of this family...giving up will not be a option. For she truly "Fully embraces the concept that there is no such word as 'can’t.'I loved this quote:"Joan, you listen to me right now. That doctor's wrong! Brian's going to write his own story. He's going to sing his own song and no one's going to sing it for him. It's his life and it's between him and God...not some fool doctor who's had so much schooling that he's forgotten the power of faith.""No such word as can't!" she blurted. "Brian is abled, not disabled...and we're never going to treat him like he's handicapped. Let him learn to do it for himself, please." This author truly has done a awesome job with a story of this kind being well written, I truly couldn't put it down after I had started reading it. You will find this novel a inspirational story of love that will have some highs and many lows that will have you wondering what was going to happen next on this emotional journey. This is where I say you must pick up this read "Goodnight, Brian to see where, when, how and what of it all through a very good read that will leave you saying... Wow that was a wonderful read! "Goodnight, Brian" will give you much a lot of inspiration of love, hope and faith.
    • 4/5
      When Brian was born he didn’t thrive like most babies, there was something really wrong, and it had a devastating effect on his body. His parents were told he’d never walk, talk or do anything that normal children do: heartbroken, they accepted what the doctors told them. As he grew, his needs were destroying the family, but one person didn’t listen to the doctors—his grandmother; a short little stubborn Catholic Italian woman who fought anything that came up against her faith in God’s ability to make miracles happen in spite of what everyone said about Brian’s future. Mama, Brian’s grandmother, is a great character who reminded me of my own mother…with her love tough as nails, and a generous heart. This is a wonderful book for anyone with a family member with disabilities. It’s a story of faith and family. I cried at the end, it will touch your heart too. I gave it 4 stars because a few chapters dragged a little with un-needed details. Although the story is fiction, it could be about any one struggling to help a child find their place in the world.
    • 5/5
      In ‘Goodnight, Brian’ by Steven Manchester, I met a wonderful grandmother, Angela Martineau. I say “met” because even though she is a character in this book, she seemed so very real. I loved this book; I came away after reading it feeling so happy. This book is like a precious gift. Angela D’Martineau is only 4’10” but with a big laugh that everyone from far away can hear. She is a great Italian cook, lover of her children and grandchildren and very wise. She knows that family is much more important than money, status and anything else. She is a great teacher, taking her grandkids on field trips around Little Italy, the rest of Boston and New York. She fed them well and gave them the very best of what she could give including her lessons of life.One grandchild, Brian Mauretti was her special love. His parents were Joan, Angela’s daughter and Frank. When his mother switched him from breastfeeding to the bottle, he couldn’t drink regular formula. He was switched to a soy based one. However Brian became irritable, cried a lot and had diarrhea every day, over and over again. In order to say money, the company that made the formula cut down on a very important ingredient. By the time the time that Joan and Frank found this out, the mental and physical damage was done. The doctors said that he had permanent brain damage and would never walk. But Mama (Angela D’Martineau) would not accept that Brian would never be able to do the things that regular kids do. She battled against what the doctors said. She taught Brian and all her children and grandchildren that giving up is not acceptable.This is an emotional story of a grandmother’s love and her own idea of an accepting and loving God. She touched not only Brian’s life but many others.I loved this book so much that I recommend it to anyone who is a parent and those who aren’t but want to know a loving approach to raising a special needs child.I received this book from the author but that in no way influenced my thoughts in this review.