Sybil’s Choice

Title: Sybil’s Choice
Author: Iris Sechriest
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 144016858X
Pages: 173, Paperback
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography

Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review

 

Book Review

It takes inner strength, courage and conviction to do what Iris Sechriest has done; chronicle the events of her daughter’s fight with cancer. This is not an ordinary book, the subject deals with unyielding determination and faith. It shows the difference caregivers can make how positive attitudes promote healing. Sybil’s Choice is certainly a necessary book. First it is a tribute, a memorial, to Sybil, bringing to the reader the true story of a real person from the small town of Forest City, North Carolina. Secondly it was a necessary labor of love for Iris to write this book to help cope with her loss. Finally it is necessary to have all that has happened not be lost but be both instructional and inspirational to those of us that may find ourselves or loved ones in such an unfortunate position.

For me, I found it often easy to slip from book reviewer to empathic reader; from a witness of Sybil’s demise to remembering my own family’s similar circumstances. From the true story of Sybil to the story of my losing my mother after her fight with cancer. As few of us live a life unscathed by medical tragedy, Sybil’s Choice brings the sober reality of surreal decisions people are faced with in the light of such devastating alternatives.

Iris Sechriest has an amazing emotional constitution; deeply embedded in her faith however noticeably she doesn’t take her daughter’s demise as an opportunity to preach her personal belief. Her writing is as objective as a journalist, and as honest as a witness under oath. She respectively names and identifies the scores of doctors, places, and procedures Sybil had undergone. She honestly assesses the contribution each has made to guide them through their ordeal. She has shaped her book to become a tool for others undergoing similar choices.

Sybil’s Choice is a terse 173 pages with a thought provoking cover photograph of a woman walking towards a light at the end of a tunnel. Iris Sechriest stays “on topic” throughout her book, as if she were to digress into telling stories about Sybil this would no doubt rival War and Peace in word count. There is a lovely high school picture of Sybil at the end of the book, revealing her charismatic smile and intelligent eyes.

For any person or family faced with a malignant diagnosis, this book is a must read. Signed books are easily available by mailing a check for $16.95 plus $4.95 for shipping to: Iris Sechriest, 166 Carolina Avenue, Forest City, NC 28043.