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The Impact of a Single Event

The Impact of a Single Event

Paperback | August 8, 2001

byR.L. Prendergast

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A terrible car accident occurs. Richard and Sonia, a couple with a crumbling marriage, stop to help the critically injured victims. In the process, they find a 140-year-old journal by the side of the road. Six different people have written in the journal. Though the entries span three centuries, the writers share a quest: the search for meaning in their lives. These stories take Richard and Sonia on a personal and historic journey: across Canada to the jungles of India and back to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where a final mystery awaits.

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From the Publisher

A terrible car accident occurs. Richard and Sonia, a couple with a crumbling marriage, stop to help the critically injured victims. In the process, they find a 140-year-old journal by the side of the road. Six different people have written in the journal. Though the entries span three centuries, the writers share a quest: the search fo...

Format:PaperbackDimensions:302 pages, 8.5 × 5.5 × 0.75 inPublished:August 8, 2001Publisher:Dekko PublishingLanguage:English

The following ISBNs are associated with this title:

ISBN - 10:0978454804

ISBN - 13:9780978454807

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BooksBiography and Memoir

Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 by from FANTASTIC!!! Story Description: A terrible car accident occurs. Richard and Sonia, a couple with a crumbling marriage, stop to help the critically injured victims. In the process, they find a 140-year-old journal by the side of the road. Six different people have written in the journal. Though the entries span three centuries, the writers share a quest: the search for meaning in their lives. These stories take Richard and Sonia on a personal and historic journey: across Canada to the jungles of India and back to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where a final mystery awaits. My Review: Richard and Sonia happen upon a car crash on the highway. There are two people trapped inside an over-turned vehicle. The woman is hanging upside down in her seatbelt and the man is pinned in by the steering wheel. Sonia calls 911 on her cell phone to report the horrific scene displayed before them. Quickly the smell of gasoline permeates the air and the rush is on to remove these two people from their car before it catches fire or explodes into a fireball. They finally free them and manage to drag them to a safer place. The female is bleeding profusely from a chest wound where a large piece of glass has impaled her chest and the man is making horrible gurgling sounds from his throat. The ambulance finally arrives and the victims of the accident are on their way to the hospital. Once the ambulance has gone, Richard and Sonia notice that the personal belongings of the passengers are strewn about the highway. Feeling badly for the couple they garner some garbage bags from the police and two old suitcases from the back of the car and begin the process of collecting their property and packing them in the bags and suitcases. When they are done, they head over to give the property to the police to deliver to the hospital for the couple, in case they survived, but the police wouldn’t have time and asked Richard and Sonia if they wouldn’t mind dropping them off themselves. They were a little taken aback but quickly agreed. As they were walking back to their own vehicle, Richard suddenly sees what looks like a book under the bumper of his car and bends down to retrieve it. Once inside the car where he could see, he quickly realizes this book is very, very old and appears to be a diary or journal of some sort. It turns out to be a journal that is 140-years-old and has been passed along to different people who have recorded a story from their own lives into it. Although each person’s story is somewhat a condensed version, they are riveting stories that you simply can’t stop reading. Mr. Prendergast has smartly woven these stories together with a constant character that has come into possession of the journal. I thoroughly enjoyed the amalgamation of stories from the different time periods. The characters in each life story were well-developed and the vividness of the writing made me feel as though I myself was there. I could see the sights, surroundings and smell the odours. I also loved the fact that the book was written by a Canadian and set in various parts of Canada! The Impact of a Single Event had me pulled in right from the beginning and held my attention non-stop until the end. Speaking of the end, I loved the ‘twist’ at the end, totally unexpected but absolutely perfect! Don’t miss out on this one, once the word is out about how good this book is, it’s going to be a roaring success!!! Well-done Mr. Prendergast!
Date published: 2012-01-06
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Diamond In the Rough This was a delightful surprise. I always love books that leave me feeling good and really making me think about the concepts of it especially with regards to our humanity. Plus! Invoking self-reflecting moments. I hope to get most, or all of, my avid reader pals to take the time to sit down with this piece, and then, hopefully get enough people interested to go on a journey... just like those who have already been impacted by this incredible, phenomenal and yet terrifying moment that took place decades ago, and what one man did to inspire many because of it.
Date published: 2011-01-22
Rated 4 out of 5 by from This is on my bucket list I am so glad that I stumbled onto this book while at the book store. I had to reread some journal entries in order to grasp the full meaning; and I did. I am glad to have read it and it has changed me in some ways. I know that on by bucket list is to go and see the plaque and write an entry in the notebook.
Date published: 2010-03-21
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Extrodinairly Different Wasn't too sure what i was getting into when I picked up this book and then I was spellbound. It takes a minute to balance the time slots as it goes backward and forth in time, but skillfully done. A great read with a special meaning and message for all of us.
Date published: 2009-08-19
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Live Your Life I was given a signed copy of this book as a work related reward. I had been looking at it on the shelf...I am attracted to books with animals on the cover...but I hadn't decided whether to purchase it or not. I want to thank the author, publisher and my manager for this wonderful gift. I appreciate a book that can make life meaningful without being religious or preachy. The style reminds me of some of my favourite reads (Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society and Ella Minnow Pea for example) although the subject matter is quite different. It is easy to read but don't mistake that as meaning it is 'fluff'. This book will make you think and perhaps, start a journal of your own. Personally, I have wondered to myself "What have I done with my life?" a lot lately and I can never come up with anything that I will be remembered for. Then I think, I have two children, my friends can trust me, my dogs were and are well loved, I have made people laugh, I have enjoyed great food (and drink!) and everyday I help people find a book that they absolutely must have. There won't be a movie made of my life but I realize that that is NOT the mark of a life well lived. So, this story has hit the spot, for me, and I will be able to recommend it to my customers and my friends with pleasure and hope.
Date published: 2009-06-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Fantastic!!!! I just finished this absolutely beautiful story and am left with a better sence of what life is all about. Truly inspiring and can't wait to take the climb to witness the mystery for myself!!!
Date published: 2009-05-02
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Impact Of A Single Event by R.L.Prendergast I have had the honour of receiving " The Impact of a Single Event" from the author R.L. Prendergast. I have just finished reading his book this morning and I have to tell you, that I enjoyed this book very much. The story is beautifully written. As was stated above it surrounds a journal that spans from 1867 to present day. The journal has many different entries, written by many different people. How does the impact of a single event, impact the lives of so many? What is the meaning of life? What is our purpose? How does this journal travel around the world, you will just have to read this gem of a book and find out. As for the title of this book, I have to disagree with ninjipigeon as I thought it was the perfect title for this book. I also quite liked the cover of the book and once you read the book you will understand why. This author is Canadian. It is another chance for all of us to support new Canadian authors. I have no problem recommending this book. It will make you think, question your own perspective of life. Hopefully we will be selling this book soon either through our website, Chapters.ca or in our stores. It would make a good choice for book club reads.
Date published: 2009-03-21
Rated 5 out of 5 by from An Excellent Book The Impact of a Single Event is the best book I have read in a long time! It is very well written, and is a book that is hard to put down. Each of the 6 individual entries the the 140 year old journal is a descriptive story within itself, and is interesting in connecting the author's relationships to each other. The end of the book has a bit of a twist that is unexpected, but well explained. Unexpectedly, I found that after reading, it really makes you think about living in the moment. This is definitely a Canadian author that has a great future.
Date published: 2009-01-06
Rated 5 out of 5 by from An Absolutely Wonderful Book The Impact of a Single Event is a new novel by Canadian R.L. Prendergast. If a book has ever been worth seeking out, this is the book. The story is told through a journal that has been passed along for over a hundred years with various people recording a story from their lives. Each individual story, while only a snapshot look into a life, is enthralling and riveting. The author then weaves these stories together with a constant character that has come into possession of the book. I found this book hard to put down. I constantly wanted to know what happened with the next character and learn about their relationships with each other that allowed the book to be passed on as it was. The book allows one to be torn between wanting to take time to reflect on one’s own life philosophy and the compulsion to pick up the book again and keep reading! I look forward to when this book is widely available in Canada - I believe it will be wildly successful.
Date published: 2008-12-26