The secret is out. Susan knows, but she does not know how she feels about the shocking truth. John, her husband, senses he must finally come clean and tell all. So begins his terrible story of childhood neglect, fantasy-fulfillment and addiction. Susan and John Branch have been living an artfully constructed lie for years, but now, the truth is out. Susan has devoted her life to caring for her … caring for her debilitated yet brilliantly-mind husband John, and she cannot understand how he could betray her trust. She is conflicted between desire, rage and tremendous guilt for the part she played in this scheme. John, perceiving Susan slipping away from him, makes the decision to come clean, and begins to narrate his terrible, warped history.
Whereas the first book of the SICK series took the perspective of Susan, this second book delves into the labyrinthine mind of John Branch as he weaves his sordid tale of a childhood without compassion and his fall into malediction. Sophisticated, gripping, and poetic, this second installment takes you deep into the heart of the Branch’s story, and what it truly means to be sick.
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“I read part 1-and when I got part 2, it jumped to the top of my TBR pile. This series, while deeply disturbing on so many levels, is amazing! The intensity of the first page is unexpected but contributes perfectly to the book. Unbelievable, intense, and SICK, but so amazing to read from the very first sentence!”-Books and Pens on Green Gables
Books and Pens on Green Gable’s thoughts-
Wow, Author Christa Wojciechowski’s mind must be extraordinary.
SICK. These books are incredible! The intensity is unexpected but is perfect for the storyline. Unbelievable, intense, and SICK, but so amazing to read from the very first sentence! You might need to reread the words on the first few pages because it’s so unbelievable! Clear your calendar to read this one!
About SICK part 2 by Christa Wojciechowski
I strongly recommend that you read Sick book 1, or at least read its review here before you start Sick part 2.
At the end of part 1, Susan discovered John’s secret. The reason behind his multitude of surgeries and severe health issues. The reason she can no longer feel sorry for him. The reason she is enraged! The reason part 2 begins with something in Susan’s hand she never would have expected.
Sick part 2 is John’s turn to tell his story and he is not shy in sharing with his wife, Susan. He holds nothing back when he speaks of how he felt unimportant to his mother. As the Demerol flows in his veins, he keeps talking. His father was never home, and he felt invisible. Then one day, he noticed a child at school being tenderly cared for. He yearned for that care, to feel that love, to be taken care of. John soon realized a place he could find that kindness and caring.
But still not from his mother.
As John grew older, and he had more ailments, he still couldn’t get her attention. He even threatened a family employee to keep one of his secrets.
Susan is shocked. She cannot believe she is married to this SICK person. This person who needs so much help. But, she sees what she has done. She’s ready to make the call to 911. They need help. But, John stops her with his words.
I cannot wait for Part 3!
I was given this book to read and review.
Waiting for the second advanced reader copy of this series was torture. Nibbling at my fingertips with anxiety and anxious to learn John’s fate, I started reading Sick II.
This book is from John’s point of view. He explains to Susan how his quests of intense physical pain was in large point due to severe loneliness. He needed to feel strong physical pain to dwarf the emotional pain. He had an absence of love and feeling of being wanted. His mother was cold and emotionally detached; his father was never present.
One begins to understand why he turns to self harm. Some people cut themselves to relieve the emotional pain. What he describes is similar.
It is saddening and frustrating how others became enablers in his quest for further pain. I was disheartened the healthcare providers never looked at psychological reasons for his ailments.
But then he is a Branch, so looking at those reasons would be taboo. He is satisfied he fooled all his providers, healthcare and family. Pain was the only thing he could control. And based on his actions, he received attention from hospitals, servants, and his mother.
At the end of this book, I was emotionally worn out but oh, so anxious, to see how Susan will respond to his revelations.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.