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Drawing Breath #1-3
Drawing Breath
Art teacher Daniel Benedetto has cystic fibrosis. At thirty-four, he's already outlived his doctor's "expiration date," but that doesn't stop him from giving all he can to his students and his work. When he takes on Caitlin, his landlady's daughter, as a private student, the budding teen painter watches in torment as other people, especially women, treat Daniel like a freak because of his condition. To Caitlin, Daniel is not a disease, not someone to pity or take care of but someone to care for, a friend, and her first real crush. Convinced one of those women is about to hurt him, Caitlin makes one very bad decision.
147 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2012
28 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Boris
28 books164 followers Laurie Boris is a freelance writer and copyeditor. At one time, she was a magician’s assistant, although she was very bad at it. She has been writing fiction for thirty years and is the award-winning author of Boychik, The Joke’s on Me, Drawing Breath, Sliding Past Vertical, The Call: A Baseball Novel, The Kitchen Brigade, and The Trager Family Secrets series. When not hanging out with the universe of imaginary people in her head, she enjoys baseball, reading, and avoiding housework. You can learn more about Laurie and her work at http://laurieboris.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 28, 2018
Daniel has cystic fibrosis. He is an art teacher. Isn't the title 'Drawing Breath' clever?
Daniel is 34. He is living on borrowed time. Most who suffer from CF die in their teens.
Caitlan is 16 and a student of Daniel's. She deeply cares for him. Is it love or infatuation?
Laurie Boris draws these characters with a fine and loving pen (let's keep that art metaphor going).
I felt thoroughly engaged while reading this book. These types of things DO happen.
4 stars
PS. Thanks Candy for recommending this book. More Boris for me in my reading future!!
Daniel is 34. He is living on borrowed time. Most who suffer from CF die in their teens.
Caitlan is 16 and a student of Daniel's. She deeply cares for him. Is it love or infatuation?
Laurie Boris draws these characters with a fine and loving pen (let's keep that art metaphor going).
I felt thoroughly engaged while reading this book. These types of things DO happen.
4 stars
PS. Thanks Candy for recommending this book. More Boris for me in my reading future!!
September 16, 2015
This is a glorious story about love and loss. It's the kind of story that's so well done, so riveting and moving, that you'll want to savor it, share it, and perhaps read again when the time is right. We have a teenaged girl with all her life ahead of her, and she is desperately in love with an older man who knows he's facing the end of his. He has cystic fibrosis and has already lived past the expected lifespan. He teaches art, and she is his student. Her rival is a lonely married woman, a student and contemporary of his. No one takes her love seriously. Not her mother, not her rival, not his sister, not even him. He neither encourages nor dismisses her. He just wants to help her find the artistic talent he knows is within her being.
July 5, 2013
Caitlin Kelly, 16, has always been passionate about art. So when Daniel, the 34 year old art teacher who is renting the upstairs part of her house offers to give her lessons, Caitlin is thrilled. But as Daniel goes more in depth with their lessons, she begins to develop feelings for him. And the more time they spend together, the more her feelings increase. So it does not come as a surprise when Caitlin does something she thinks will help him. But what she doesn’t realize is that her actions have serious consequences that will affect not only her but the people she loves and cares about.
Daniel Benedetto loves to teach art. It’s his passion. But his life is far from ideal. He suffers from cystic fibrosis, a deadly lung disease that makes getting by in daily life a challenge for him. He also has an overbearing sister and a conflict that involves him and a married woman. And when Caitlin, the girl he gives art lessons to, does something well meaning but horribly damaging to his personal life, Daniel finds his situation become increasingly complicated. Especially when he realizes that his health is rapidly getting worse, to the point where there may not be anything anyone can do about it.
The characters in this story were multilayered and well crafted, although the third person narrative did take me out of the story at times. Caitlin was definitely my favorite of the two, although it was kind of annoying how she would shift from acting like a little kid to acting like an adult. However, I found her character easy to relate to, and I enjoyed seeing her develop by the end of the story. I found the character of Daniel to be a lot less reachable. His motives were hard to understand, and there was nothing particularly endearing about his character. The plot was very nicely done, and the storyline went along smoothly until about the middle of the story, when it started to get a bit slow. However, the emotional punch at the end and realizations of the characters made me glad I had kept reading. Overall, this was an extremely well written book with memorable characters and a story that lingered long after the last page.
Daniel Benedetto loves to teach art. It’s his passion. But his life is far from ideal. He suffers from cystic fibrosis, a deadly lung disease that makes getting by in daily life a challenge for him. He also has an overbearing sister and a conflict that involves him and a married woman. And when Caitlin, the girl he gives art lessons to, does something well meaning but horribly damaging to his personal life, Daniel finds his situation become increasingly complicated. Especially when he realizes that his health is rapidly getting worse, to the point where there may not be anything anyone can do about it.
The characters in this story were multilayered and well crafted, although the third person narrative did take me out of the story at times. Caitlin was definitely my favorite of the two, although it was kind of annoying how she would shift from acting like a little kid to acting like an adult. However, I found her character easy to relate to, and I enjoyed seeing her develop by the end of the story. I found the character of Daniel to be a lot less reachable. His motives were hard to understand, and there was nothing particularly endearing about his character. The plot was very nicely done, and the storyline went along smoothly until about the middle of the story, when it started to get a bit slow. However, the emotional punch at the end and realizations of the characters made me glad I had kept reading. Overall, this was an extremely well written book with memorable characters and a story that lingered long after the last page.
January 11, 2016
When I first started reading Drawing Breath, I wasn't sure what to expect. I expected a student/teacher romance, which I kind of got, but not in the way I was expecting. Even though the book wasn't what I expected, it was a decently good read.
For the most part, the book was well written. The author wrote it in such a way that the reader falls in love with Daniel, just like Caitlin does. By the end of the book, the author has the reader begging and pleading with her for Daniel to get better, so he and Caitlin can live happily ever after together.
The one thing I didn't like about Drawing Breath was Caitlin, which is unfortunate because she is the main character. She almost ruined the whole book for me. She is extremely selfish in almost everything that she does. She is also incredibly petty, whiny, and jealous. It drove me crazy listening to her whine for most of the book, and she put herself before everyone else. It definitely dampened my enjoyment of an otherwise entertaining novel.
Other than the issues that I had with Caitlin, I did enjoy the book. It was sad, yet hauntingly beautiful. It wasn't the typical student/teacher romance because most of the romance took place outside the school, which was a refreshing change of pace. I am interested to see what Laurie Boris writes in the future.
For the most part, the book was well written. The author wrote it in such a way that the reader falls in love with Daniel, just like Caitlin does. By the end of the book, the author has the reader begging and pleading with her for Daniel to get better, so he and Caitlin can live happily ever after together.
The one thing I didn't like about Drawing Breath was Caitlin, which is unfortunate because she is the main character. She almost ruined the whole book for me. She is extremely selfish in almost everything that she does. She is also incredibly petty, whiny, and jealous. It drove me crazy listening to her whine for most of the book, and she put herself before everyone else. It definitely dampened my enjoyment of an otherwise entertaining novel.
Other than the issues that I had with Caitlin, I did enjoy the book. It was sad, yet hauntingly beautiful. It wasn't the typical student/teacher romance because most of the romance took place outside the school, which was a refreshing change of pace. I am interested to see what Laurie Boris writes in the future.
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July 8, 2012To say that this is a ‘coming of age’ story does not do Drawing Breath justice. Yes, Caitlin is only sixteen. Daniel, her art teacher and upstairs neighbor, is in his thirties. And Caitlin learns a lot about life and love. But there is more here. Laurie Boris has written a story that people of all ages will become engrossed in. She understands how each of her characters think. They become real to us, not only Caitlin and Daniel.
Boris treats each of her characters with a gentleness that speaks to her deep understanding of each of them. Caitlin, torn between teenage angst and real love, not just for Daniel, but also for her mother. Daniel, who knows he is dying but still wants the normal love of a woman. Bess, conflicted over her affair with Daniel. Denise, Daniel’s sister, jealous of the attention Daniel received because of his illness and feeling guilty about it. Caitlin’s mother, abandoned by her husband and struggling to raise her daughter on her own with no money.
But this is also a story that brings understanding of cystic fibrosis, helping to dispel fear and aversion without hiding the difficult truth about this fatal condition.
This book reaches the reader on many levels. I recommend it highly. You will be richer for reading it.
Boris treats each of her characters with a gentleness that speaks to her deep understanding of each of them. Caitlin, torn between teenage angst and real love, not just for Daniel, but also for her mother. Daniel, who knows he is dying but still wants the normal love of a woman. Bess, conflicted over her affair with Daniel. Denise, Daniel’s sister, jealous of the attention Daniel received because of his illness and feeling guilty about it. Caitlin’s mother, abandoned by her husband and struggling to raise her daughter on her own with no money.
But this is also a story that brings understanding of cystic fibrosis, helping to dispel fear and aversion without hiding the difficult truth about this fatal condition.
This book reaches the reader on many levels. I recommend it highly. You will be richer for reading it.
May 27, 2012
Without any illusion, I want to say that Drawing Breath is one of the best indie authored books I have ever read. No offense to others, Laurie Boris has delivered a masterpiece in a short 137 pages.
The story offers an insight into a chronic disease and how it plays into the life of an art teacher. The story itself is not about the disease, but the choices one makes when life is assured to end prematurely. This type love story is not my kind of thing, which proves the point that great writing transcends all genre's. The emotion and tension between the two main characters builds as the novel ticks off the seconds--precious seconds that cannot be regained. The story is so real that you can reach out and touch the characters as they develop and premise is solid.
Edited to perfection, this story never succumbs to the cliche, but builds to a climax that tugs at the heart, the kind of feeling that stays with you long after you've finished the book.
The story offers an insight into a chronic disease and how it plays into the life of an art teacher. The story itself is not about the disease, but the choices one makes when life is assured to end prematurely. This type love story is not my kind of thing, which proves the point that great writing transcends all genre's. The emotion and tension between the two main characters builds as the novel ticks off the seconds--precious seconds that cannot be regained. The story is so real that you can reach out and touch the characters as they develop and premise is solid.
Edited to perfection, this story never succumbs to the cliche, but builds to a climax that tugs at the heart, the kind of feeling that stays with you long after you've finished the book.
February 4, 2015
Drawing Breath by Laurie Boris
Sixteen year old Caitlin Kelly is infatuated with her Art teacher, Daniel Benedetto. She believes it is true love, at least on her part. Daniel also has cystic fibrosis, and lives upstairs from her. Her obsession with him gets out of control when she interferes in his personal life. Not thinking of the consequences of her actions, the damage is done and things will never be the same again.
A fast paced original story. Caitlin, although young and careless is likable. Daniel, is very likable. Even though he has a horrible disease he is human, and has feeling like everyone else, and has flaws. No one is perfect. I liked that Daniel is shown as a person, not perfect, and he is not just "his disease". Drawing Breath is touching and heartfelt. I recommend to those who love a great dramatic, heartfelt story. A true all night read.
Sixteen year old Caitlin Kelly is infatuated with her Art teacher, Daniel Benedetto. She believes it is true love, at least on her part. Daniel also has cystic fibrosis, and lives upstairs from her. Her obsession with him gets out of control when she interferes in his personal life. Not thinking of the consequences of her actions, the damage is done and things will never be the same again.
A fast paced original story. Caitlin, although young and careless is likable. Daniel, is very likable. Even though he has a horrible disease he is human, and has feeling like everyone else, and has flaws. No one is perfect. I liked that Daniel is shown as a person, not perfect, and he is not just "his disease". Drawing Breath is touching and heartfelt. I recommend to those who love a great dramatic, heartfelt story. A true all night read.
February 11, 2014
A teenage girl is in love with her upstairs neighbor, an art teacher whose life will be cut short by Cystic Fibrosis. Jealous when another woman enters Daniel's life, Caitlin makes a rash decision. Drawing Breath is a heart touching story; one of those books that compels me to continue reading nonstop until the end. It's written in present tense, a style which usually throws me off of a story but in this case the author pulls it off seamlessly. Looking forward to reading other work by Laurie Boris.
December 21, 2012
This lovely little novel is good for an afternoon read. Actually, for me, it was through the wee hours of the morning. It's been awhile since I couldn't sleep until I found out what happened. Poignant, beautifully written with vivid characters, it tells the story of a young girl grappling with her feelings for her terminally ill art teacher. If you enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars or Tell the Wolves I'm Home, it's a bit reminiscent of both.
June 2, 2017
A teenager becomes infatuated with an artist dying of cystic fibrosis, who's having an affair with a married woman. Emotions run high as traditional approaches to morality are questioned under the pall of imminent demise.
Nicely written with no clutter, Drawing Breath is best for those who enjoy stories that exist in a spectrum of grays.
Nicely written with no clutter, Drawing Breath is best for those who enjoy stories that exist in a spectrum of grays.
July 16, 2025
An amazing and moving book! Laurie draws you into the story and the characters' lives so well. You feel as if you are there, experiencing everything they are going through. Highly recommend this book.
September 14, 2024
Drawing Breath is a lovely and poignant coming-of-age story with richly drawn characters. The author captured the brutal challenges of cystic fibrosis so well, as well as the romantic angst of a lovestruck teenager. Really enjoyed it. The narration was wonderful too.
August 1, 2012
It's Saturday afternoon here in the antipodes and I find I can't get stuck into writing my book until I write about another book, a book I have just finished reading.
I have to get these thoughts and feeling down into words before they lose their force and become just memories.
The book is 'Drawing Breath' and it was written and published by Laurie Boris, an indie author and a female author. I make those points so that what I say next achieves full impact. 'Drawing Breath' is one of the best books I have ever read and that most definitely includes the hundreds, perhaps thousands of traditionally published books I have read over the last 50 years.
I did not want to read 'Drawing Breath' when I first stumbled across it on Indies Unlimited. I read the blurb about 16 year old Caitlyn and 34 year old Daniel and I thought 'oh no, a Lolita story!' Wrong.
Then I read further and discovered that Daniel had cystic fibrosis and something in my head just shutdown. Cystic fibrosis is a cruel condition for which there is no cure. Did I really want to read something that was going to depress me?
I was wrong about that too. What I feel now is exultation. How I feel is... uplifted.
I'm not quite sure why I finally bought 'Drawing Breath' on Amazon last night but I began reading it at about 11pm - I always read in bed before going to sleep. Well, I was still reading at 3am.
When I woke this morning after far too little sleep I continued reading 'Drawing Breath'. I finished it half an hour ago and I still can't let it go. Caitlyn and her mother Maureen, Daniel and his sister Denise, Daniel's lover Bess, Kumar the breathing therapist at the hospital, all of these characters large and small are still walking and talking in my head and their world seems more real to me than the cosy confines of my office.
How did this happen?
It happened because Laurie Boris is a master storyteller who must have loved each and everyone of her characters because the love shines through in the way even the least important of them has substance.
Writers tend to talk a lot about 'voice' and how each character should have a distinctive voice of their own. Well the characters in 'Drawing Breath' have far more than voice, they have a presence as vivid as any image on a cinema screen. They exist in time and space, not just as words on a page. And because they exist, their stories have the power to make us feel, for them and also for the human condition that mixes joy and pain in such equal measure.
I really don't want to write a short, cold summary of the story because the beauty and the joy, and yes the sorrow, are in the reading. To understand what is so very special about this book you have to read it for yourself. So think of this as less of a review and more just the out-pouring of thanks from a reader to a writer.
Thank you Laurie. I am sorry I waited so long to accept the beautiful gift you created with 'Drawing Breath'.
Meeks
I have to get these thoughts and feeling down into words before they lose their force and become just memories.
The book is 'Drawing Breath' and it was written and published by Laurie Boris, an indie author and a female author. I make those points so that what I say next achieves full impact. 'Drawing Breath' is one of the best books I have ever read and that most definitely includes the hundreds, perhaps thousands of traditionally published books I have read over the last 50 years.
I did not want to read 'Drawing Breath' when I first stumbled across it on Indies Unlimited. I read the blurb about 16 year old Caitlyn and 34 year old Daniel and I thought 'oh no, a Lolita story!' Wrong.
Then I read further and discovered that Daniel had cystic fibrosis and something in my head just shutdown. Cystic fibrosis is a cruel condition for which there is no cure. Did I really want to read something that was going to depress me?
I was wrong about that too. What I feel now is exultation. How I feel is... uplifted.
I'm not quite sure why I finally bought 'Drawing Breath' on Amazon last night but I began reading it at about 11pm - I always read in bed before going to sleep. Well, I was still reading at 3am.
When I woke this morning after far too little sleep I continued reading 'Drawing Breath'. I finished it half an hour ago and I still can't let it go. Caitlyn and her mother Maureen, Daniel and his sister Denise, Daniel's lover Bess, Kumar the breathing therapist at the hospital, all of these characters large and small are still walking and talking in my head and their world seems more real to me than the cosy confines of my office.
How did this happen?
It happened because Laurie Boris is a master storyteller who must have loved each and everyone of her characters because the love shines through in the way even the least important of them has substance.
Writers tend to talk a lot about 'voice' and how each character should have a distinctive voice of their own. Well the characters in 'Drawing Breath' have far more than voice, they have a presence as vivid as any image on a cinema screen. They exist in time and space, not just as words on a page. And because they exist, their stories have the power to make us feel, for them and also for the human condition that mixes joy and pain in such equal measure.
I really don't want to write a short, cold summary of the story because the beauty and the joy, and yes the sorrow, are in the reading. To understand what is so very special about this book you have to read it for yourself. So think of this as less of a review and more just the out-pouring of thanks from a reader to a writer.
Thank you Laurie. I am sorry I waited so long to accept the beautiful gift you created with 'Drawing Breath'.
Meeks
May 17, 2012
If you want a good, emotional story dealing with relationships - then this is an excellent choice. With the chapters skipping between the view points of Caitlin and Daniel, you will find yourself becoming drawn into their worlds, getting to know them and understanding why they think and feel the way they do. About each other, and about the world. The writing style is eloquent and convincing, and the author deals with Caitlin's crush and Daniel's health problems without either becoming too uncomfortable for the reading - something I was a little afraid of from the blurb.
Caitlin is a teenage girl who thinks and feels a little deeper than the average teenager. She has a passion, and is interested in art - particularly a more abstract form of art. She lives with her mother, and let out their flat to Daniel, a 30-something year old art tutor. In part payment for his lodging, he offers Caitlin art lessons and the chance to further develop her talent. Caitlin had considerable feelings for Daniel, something her perceptive mother is not inclined to indulge. Luckily, Caitlin is also a relatively sensible girl, although she is a typical teenager, and thus prone to bouts of jealousy and stubborness, and she does not take too kindly to Daniel's blooming relationship with another woman.
Daniel has cystic fibrosous, a condition he has been managing and trying to hide from the public for most of his life. Already he has exceeded his expected lifespan, and every moment of his life is precious. His life is a somewhat lonely one, as previous girlfriends have not reacted well to learning of his ailment and although he is kind and considerate, he is also somewhat stubborn. Especially where his sister's care is involved.
This is a bittersweet and emotional tale and one that I highly recommend.
Caitlin is a teenage girl who thinks and feels a little deeper than the average teenager. She has a passion, and is interested in art - particularly a more abstract form of art. She lives with her mother, and let out their flat to Daniel, a 30-something year old art tutor. In part payment for his lodging, he offers Caitlin art lessons and the chance to further develop her talent. Caitlin had considerable feelings for Daniel, something her perceptive mother is not inclined to indulge. Luckily, Caitlin is also a relatively sensible girl, although she is a typical teenager, and thus prone to bouts of jealousy and stubborness, and she does not take too kindly to Daniel's blooming relationship with another woman.
Daniel has cystic fibrosous, a condition he has been managing and trying to hide from the public for most of his life. Already he has exceeded his expected lifespan, and every moment of his life is precious. His life is a somewhat lonely one, as previous girlfriends have not reacted well to learning of his ailment and although he is kind and considerate, he is also somewhat stubborn. Especially where his sister's care is involved.
This is a bittersweet and emotional tale and one that I highly recommend.
November 7, 2012
Oh. My. Goodness. Drawing Breath (such a brilliant title) certainly drew mine—it left me breathless and quite speechless. Without any doubt at all, this is my book of the year. If I’m honest, after reading Laurie’s first novel, The Joke’s On Me, I don’t think I expected anything other than near perfection, but this was simply outstanding.
Daniel Benedetto is a 34-year-old art teacher suffering from cystic fibrosis, and Caitlin is his landlady’s daughter and his private pupil. She is 16 and hopelessly in love with him. She aches for him as only a 16-year-old can. But buried in this adolescent love is a certain maturity: she cares for him like she thinks no other woman can and loves him unconditionally; she worries about him when he is unwell, she understands his needs, she understands he doesn’t need to be pitied, she understands when he needs help. She just understands. Everything she does for him is for him.
Every word of this novel is like it has been carefully and precisely selected: a myriad of emotions bursts out of it along with courage, pathos, tragedy, heartache, tenderness, and true, true love: that of a teenager, of a sister, and of a lover. You ache for Daniel every time he coughs and splutters, you ache for Caitlin who wants to envelop Daniel in her love, not out of pity, but for the genuine admiration and passion she has for his courage, his skill, and his very being. You ache for Daniel’s sister who has cared and nurtured her sick brother for years. You just ache.
This novel is as heart-warming as it is heart-wrenching. It burrows into every fibre of your body and soul and stays there.
Oh hell, I just can’t think of enough of the right words to describe this superb novel. Congratulations, Laurie, a superlative novel.
Daniel Benedetto is a 34-year-old art teacher suffering from cystic fibrosis, and Caitlin is his landlady’s daughter and his private pupil. She is 16 and hopelessly in love with him. She aches for him as only a 16-year-old can. But buried in this adolescent love is a certain maturity: she cares for him like she thinks no other woman can and loves him unconditionally; she worries about him when he is unwell, she understands his needs, she understands he doesn’t need to be pitied, she understands when he needs help. She just understands. Everything she does for him is for him.
Every word of this novel is like it has been carefully and precisely selected: a myriad of emotions bursts out of it along with courage, pathos, tragedy, heartache, tenderness, and true, true love: that of a teenager, of a sister, and of a lover. You ache for Daniel every time he coughs and splutters, you ache for Caitlin who wants to envelop Daniel in her love, not out of pity, but for the genuine admiration and passion she has for his courage, his skill, and his very being. You ache for Daniel’s sister who has cared and nurtured her sick brother for years. You just ache.
This novel is as heart-warming as it is heart-wrenching. It burrows into every fibre of your body and soul and stays there.
Oh hell, I just can’t think of enough of the right words to describe this superb novel. Congratulations, Laurie, a superlative novel.
May 25, 2012
Drawing Breath is an extremely well written story about an art teacher who has cystic fibrosis and his student and downstairs neighbor Caitlin. The point of view of the story alternates between Caitlin and Daniel who is tutoring her in art.
This is a powerful story which is compellingly told. At 34 years of age, Daniel is near the end of the road health wise. He lives alone with only the smallest amount of help from his over protective sister and too frequent hospitalizations for infections. Mostly though, he cares for himself.
Drawing Breath is about art, life and love. It's about connections between people and how very important those connections are. Written straight from the heart, the story of Caitlin and Daniel unfolds at a heart racing pace. Which is the nature of time when we feel it is running out. The details of the characters lives are extremely accurate and feel completely real.
You feel you know them and you can't help but empathize with them. Reading this book reminded me that there is such a thing as unconditional love. Its not some myth or unattainably rare thing. It is a simple gift, a benefit of being truly human. But most people do not believe in unconditional love. They are cynical and jaded about the subject. This book is extremely real, convincing and honest. Because of that honesty, the book will touch your heart.
This is a powerful story which is compellingly told. At 34 years of age, Daniel is near the end of the road health wise. He lives alone with only the smallest amount of help from his over protective sister and too frequent hospitalizations for infections. Mostly though, he cares for himself.
Drawing Breath is about art, life and love. It's about connections between people and how very important those connections are. Written straight from the heart, the story of Caitlin and Daniel unfolds at a heart racing pace. Which is the nature of time when we feel it is running out. The details of the characters lives are extremely accurate and feel completely real.
You feel you know them and you can't help but empathize with them. Reading this book reminded me that there is such a thing as unconditional love. Its not some myth or unattainably rare thing. It is a simple gift, a benefit of being truly human. But most people do not believe in unconditional love. They are cynical and jaded about the subject. This book is extremely real, convincing and honest. Because of that honesty, the book will touch your heart.
August 17, 2015
I received this book for free in a GoodReads giveaway.
The cover of the book 1st drew my attention to the book as a GR giveaway. Then I read the plot description and knew I wanted to read it...the author did not disappoint!!
The book ended the only way it could have...you will see what I mean when you meet the characters and see their development over time.
Caitlin was a pain in the arse...I don't think she would ever mature...but she loved Daniel and only wanted what was best for him (and she knew it too--the rest of the world be damned!)
The title of the book was very symbolic for me...Drawing Breath...it had more than the artistic implications..it was about living life while you can and the reasons relationships develop or don't develop. (But I did learn about drawing and using light and color just from this book...things I would have never thought of.)
I am interested in reading some other Laurie Boris' books!
The cover of the book 1st drew my attention to the book as a GR giveaway. Then I read the plot description and knew I wanted to read it...the author did not disappoint!!
The book ended the only way it could have...you will see what I mean when you meet the characters and see their development over time.
Caitlin was a pain in the arse...I don't think she would ever mature...but she loved Daniel and only wanted what was best for him (and she knew it too--the rest of the world be damned!)
The title of the book was very symbolic for me...Drawing Breath...it had more than the artistic implications..it was about living life while you can and the reasons relationships develop or don't develop. (But I did learn about drawing and using light and color just from this book...things I would have never thought of.)
I am interested in reading some other Laurie Boris' books!
January 24, 2013
I think this is the first book in a long time that has made me feel pain – not just in the mental sense, but also physically. The descriptions were so authentic and real. I couldn’t help but gasp every time poor Daniel coughed and struggled to breathe. I couldn’t help but clutch my chest, memories of my very first (impossible) crush flooding back, each time Caitlin longed for Daniel’s touch and acknowledgement as more than a neighbor, student, and teenaged girl.
I agree this is a romance, but it is so much more. It is a tale of one person growing up and another never getting to experience growing old. It is one that grips the reader from the first page, wringing every emotion imaginable from their body and leaving them as spent as a limp dishrag. It is beauty and pain and amazing and terrible. It is a book you should read.
I agree this is a romance, but it is so much more. It is a tale of one person growing up and another never getting to experience growing old. It is one that grips the reader from the first page, wringing every emotion imaginable from their body and leaving them as spent as a limp dishrag. It is beauty and pain and amazing and terrible. It is a book you should read.
August 1, 2012
A well-written and thought provoking story, Drawing Breath may be a disappointment to those who jump to conclusions after skimming the description and seeing mention of a 16-year old girl, an adult man, and something about falling in love. But those who don’t come to the story with misplaced expectations will discover a tale that should stick with them long after the afterglow of satisfying their prurient interests would have faded. Drawing Breath is a coming-of-age story that raises questions of how we relate to those with serious diseases or handicaps and the roadblocks that even well meaning people may create for them in leading the most normal lives they’re able.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
August 23, 2012
Don't bother spending time reading the few words, cobbled together into semi-coherent thought. Don't bother reading any of the other reviews, either. Just read the book. You'll be glad you did.
Still here? Still want to know more? Fine. This is one of the most beautiful, compelling, inspiring, heart-rending books I've ever read. Nevermind the usual drivel about characters and plot and well-crafted prose. This is the sort of book where you don't notice those things, because you're not just reading a story, you're inside of it. From the first paragraph to the final word, Laurie Boris draws you into Caitlin and Daniel's lives and lets you live their story with them.
I honestly can't say enough good things about the book or recommend it highly enough.
Still here? Still want to know more? Fine. This is one of the most beautiful, compelling, inspiring, heart-rending books I've ever read. Nevermind the usual drivel about characters and plot and well-crafted prose. This is the sort of book where you don't notice those things, because you're not just reading a story, you're inside of it. From the first paragraph to the final word, Laurie Boris draws you into Caitlin and Daniel's lives and lets you live their story with them.
I honestly can't say enough good things about the book or recommend it highly enough.
July 8, 2013
Drawing Breath simply took my breath away with its well-drawn characters and absorbing story line. Boris deftly weaves together the stories of Daniel and Caitlin, the 2 main protagonists in the book, and I found myself pulled back again and again into their lives and the lives of those around them. Boris writes as a humanist, showing us the intrinsic value in the everyday. I was impressed with her ability to weave in the small events that (generally unnoticed) wind up giving so much meaning to our lives. Her willingness to write about the big events of life with uncommon sensitivity also speaks to her humanity.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
October 24, 2012
I found Drawing Breath to be an enchanting book, for women of all ages. I would be happy to offer this book to a teen-age girl, even thou it is slanted to an older audience. I though it captured the sad love story of an older teacher and his talented art student to be tragic but beautiful. It may help a young woman understand her feelings, and help to cope with teen-older love.
I will certainly look forward to more writing by this amazingly talented author.
May I also say the cover is captivating.
I will certainly look forward to more writing by this amazingly talented author.
May I also say the cover is captivating.
December 8, 2013
I have read a couple of Laurie Boris' books before and love her work so I grabbed Drawing Breath when it was on sale. I'm glad I did. Cystic Fibrosis is a very serious disease that many people are not familiar with. I know I learned quite a bit about it. I really liked the way the author wove information about CF into the story, combining it with the action to make a very gripping tale of love, loss, loyalty and coping with what life hands you. It's a very touching book and I highly recommend it.
January 17, 2013
I'm lost for superlatives. This book touches every aspect of what is to be young, to be sick, to hopeless...or hopeful. Every character is beautifully rounded, there is something to redeem the ones you dislike and something to annoy you in the ones you want to win through. I didn't want it to end and will be reading everything else by this author. Thank you for a remarkable tale of being human.
August 14, 2013
In relatively few pages, Drawing Breath tells the story of Daniel, a thirty-something artist/teacher who suffers from the debilitating disease of Cystic Fibrosis and Caitlin, his teenage neighbor who falls in love with him. It is a story of growth, pain, joy and understanding, and even forgiveness. Beautifully written.
July 24, 2016
This book took my breath away. Poignant and beautifully written, the imagery captures in its prose is just as powerful as the art described in its pages, the feelings of teenage love on the part of Caitlin and resigned desperation for Daniel. I read it in a day.
September 28, 2012
Will comment when come up for air. What I "knew" was going to happen in this book did NOT. Could've knocked me over. That's not easy to do. Cried. Thought about so many things. Need to process.
October 31, 2012
Lucked out and downloaded this for free. What a find! Wonderful story, heart wrenching, and very well written. Thank you, Laurie Boris. Will definitely read more from this author.
January 17, 2013
A sensitive story, difficult to read but even harder to put down.
August 31, 2020
Daniel is a mid-thirties art teacher with a terminal illness. He is passionate about teaching, art, and maintaining his privacy. He has lived for years in an upstairs apartment to his downstairs landlady and her daughter, Caitlin. Caitlin grew up with concern for Daniel that has grown from protectiveness into her first real crush. Daniel starts teaching art to Caitlin, even giving her private lessons. As time goes on, Caitlin's feelings for him grow stronger, even as Daniel's condition worsens and he starts a relationship with a lonely married woman.
The world needs more books like this. Books with characters who have a terminal illness but are living their lives. Books where the terminal illness is a large part of who the character is and how it has molded them but also where the illness is not the main story line.
The way Boris describes breathing in this book brought me back to the days when I tripped my asthma and couldn't draw enough oxygen. When the tendrils of panic would take hold. Maybe other readers who have never felt short of breath, short of oxygen, will also be able to sympathize and not just empathize with Daniel through these vivid descriptions.
The story itself was very interesting and I enjoyed both Daniel's and Caitlin's perspectives in their relationship.
The ending was very well written. It was truthful and abrupt. It was emotional yet inevitable.
The world needs more books like this. Books with characters who have a terminal illness but are living their lives. Books where the terminal illness is a large part of who the character is and how it has molded them but also where the illness is not the main story line.
The way Boris describes breathing in this book brought me back to the days when I tripped my asthma and couldn't draw enough oxygen. When the tendrils of panic would take hold. Maybe other readers who have never felt short of breath, short of oxygen, will also be able to sympathize and not just empathize with Daniel through these vivid descriptions.
The story itself was very interesting and I enjoyed both Daniel's and Caitlin's perspectives in their relationship.
The ending was very well written. It was truthful and abrupt. It was emotional yet inevitable.
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