I had a feeling, a hope that this memoir would be well written, and I was not disappointed. O'Connor is a journalist and knows how to write. Even after a debilitating coma which left her with many long lasting and perhaps life long handicaps, her ability to write, to tell her story, is intact, thankfully. She does a great job describing the medical, emotional and spiritual challenges that arose from her ordeal. An easy, quick read, but not shallow at all. Very inspiring. ( )

A first person account of experiencing birthing a child, a coma, and a harrowing near death medical journey is what you will find in The Long Awakening. Lindsey O'Connor tells her story with a vulnerable truth that sets you contemplating your own questions to God. She relies on her husband, children, friends, and the medical community to share her miracle return to life. She feels as though it is their miracle - as she was not awake to experience it herself.

She writes: "Every morning in my few moments of solitude before the staff came in or the visitors arrived, I'd take in the life-giving sun, then feel the dread roll over me, as helpless to stop it as I was to pull back the covers and spring out of bed. But how could I dread another day of life that I came so close to not having? How dare I? Won't God strike me right then and there as an ungrateful slug? How could I dread the gift of a day when there was so much joy, thankfulness, and praise around me and admit that I was any less thankful and joyful than everyone else who came to visit? How could I dread minute followed by minute, no matter how hard, after all the torment everyone I loved had just suffered through? So I told no one."

Her heroic, courageous recovery and the reclaiming of her motherhood leaves you thankful for what you have. It is not an easy road. She's totally honest about her struggles, her horror at her near death, and her deep desire to bond with her baby girl whom others raised while she lay in the hospital. Her faith in God goes beyond its borders to move through each day.

Because of my own chronic pain and illness I related to her in many ways and found some answers to some of my own quests. I highly recommend this book of hardship and hope. A Long Awakening is a good read! ( )

Many years ago my mother spent 31 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and many more days in a hospital bed. Ever after she would describe those 31 days as her "lost month." This book helped me understand a little of what she meant by that.

On August 30, 2002 Lindsey O'Connor, a journalist and mother of four children, gave birth to her fifth child and five minutes later began hemorrhaging, was rushed into surgery (twice), and subsequently put into a drug-induced coma in the hopes of saving her life. 47 days later, after many medical emergencies, she woke up and recognized her husband and responded to his questions. This is the story of her recovery and the incredible journey that she and her family went on when she bleed out.

This account is beautifully written and explains so well what she experienced all along her journey, how her family, friends, co-workers, and church members reacted, and what a painstaking recovery she endured. I feel privileged to have been able to learn about this trial in her life and suspect that I will read it more than once. ( )

Lindsey O'Conner's memoir of the time she was in a coma after the birth of her child is heart-rending, yet so positive and uplifting at the same time. Reading this had a great impact on my life, and not just because my Mom was in this type of a situation for two weeks after she had an infarction to her large intestines. I could readily identify with those around her who had to deal with the stress and anxiety of having a loved one so close to death's door. And through her eyes I can more easily understand the one who has been there. As with Lindsey, my Mom is also deeply thankful that she did not leave her children orphans (though we are considerably older than the O’Connor family).
It is amazing and awesome that Lindsey is able to tell so much of what she went through in such a clear and articulate manner. Truly an eye opener for me. I recommend this story to those who love to read true stories and memoirs, but also to those who would rather pick up a fiction to get lost in.

I received this book free from Melody at Graf-Martin and Revell Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions stated are my own. ( )

Lindsay O'Connor went into the hospital, gave birth to a baby girl, and shortly afterwards began hemorraging. She lost so much blood doctors knew there would be brain damage... and there was. This is her story.

What a frightening time in the lives of Lindsay and her family. The book opens with Lindsay coming out of a 47 day medically induced coma. Her husband standing beside her asking again and again "Can you hear me?". Lindsay hearing but floating in and out of that sea of darkness. Her husband is absolutely wonderful, never giving up on her recovering. Remembering she had a baby who is now two and a half months old and wondering if she would be able to bond with her.

A story of faith and the will to live. Sad to read at times but I had to rejoice with her as she passed each stepping stone.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )