I stopped in my tracks after the first page of this book . . . instantly riveted . . . wanting to know more and where the path was going to lead.  Christopher Ryan is on to something . . . and it could be a masterpiece.

 

Jayne Siemens, Shawnee, Kansas — President, Venice Communications

 

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Reading Discovery was a pleasure because there was a message I needed to hear: Don’t trade your aliveness for security. Keep your dreams alive. They are your reason for being. Your passion is your gift to your family and to the world.

 

Kayt Kennedy, Annapolis, Maryland — Editor, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Widow, Dreamer

 

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Ryan has written a mystery with a gripping story and fascinating characters while exploring the mind of a senior. This novel is for anyone who is watching parents or friends age gracefully . . . or not. This book is a must read.

 

Rich Ambler — Atlanta, Georgia, Film Director

 

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Having worked with patients experiencing various forms of dementia, I can speak to the pain and despair they, as well as their family and friends, feel as the disease progresses. In Discovery, Ryan captures these emotions and adds elements of human strength and compassion that bring dignity and even heroism to a tragic situation. The kind of grit the main character exhibits took my breath away, I couldn’t put the book down, as difficult as it sometimes was to walk Helen Bryan’s path with her.

 

Diane H. Waanders — Retired Medical Social Worker, Overland Park, Kansas

 

 

Midwest Book Reviews:

 

Discovery is a novel about ghosts with riddles. 85-year-old Helen Bryan embarks on an unexpected adventure when her dead husband Ed presents her with a puzzle at the same time as a new species of bird visits her feeder.

 

Circumstances propel Helen into what likely will be the last adventure of her life, fueled by unexpected revelations that belay her advanced years and the notion that old age is largely devoid of novel experiences.

 

The morning rituals she’s performed for years are now conducted with much pain from arthritis and aging. It’s clear that she’s in no shape for adventure. But there’s more than one kind of adventure, and the opportunity presented to her is one she can accept.

 

Birders will find the threads of bird habits, observations, and pleasure that run though Discovery just one example of the many kinds of revelations that Helen discovers as she nears the end of life. They will appreciate the story’s observational details, the thrill of unexpected sightings, and the opportunity to vicariously appreciate both birds and the notion of a strange “mistake” her husband points out in his mysterious message to her.

 

Ornithological details lend the story a realistic air of natural history pleasure as Helen grapples with recording everything she sees. This, she applies to life events, emerging puzzles, and unexpected reprieves from guilt and conflict that resurface in the present day to challenge the notion of a pleasant life trajectory.

 

Christopher Ryan does an outstanding job of capturing the emotional and physical pain of old age — but he doesn’t stop there. The title of his novel is, after all, Discovery. These moments emerge from unexpected encounters with ghosts, birds, and self to give the plot an intriguing countenance of growth that embraces the lightness of truth, however difficult it may be.

 

Readers will become immersed in Helen’s life, which in turn encourages her followers to consider their own aging process and reflections. These are delivered through encounters with nature which emphasize life and diversity:

 

Up ahead, higher on the mountain, she could see a large aspen grove that had overtaken a burn area, hiding it like a bandage. She’d read that aspen groves shared one root system, so all the trees in it were intimately connected. The grove was one organism, with the individual trees only appearing to be independent above ground. An aspen grove, known as a clone because the trees are genetically identical, could live for thousands of years. She liked knowing that something could survive so long.

 

Perhaps one reason why Discovery is especially vivid is because it is fiction based on real people and circumstances. Christopher Ryan builds a biographical sketch laced with fictional drama and embellishments which make Helen and her relationships quite accessible to audiences:

 

The story as I tell it is fiction, but much of what happens to the characters is true. Fiction is wishful thinking about the good that could be, but it can’t get around the bad that has been and will be.

 

What circumstances could force Helen to correct a longtime mistake by eschewing the ornithological limelight and hiding her discovery?

 

Libraries interested in moving stories of aging, reconciling past with present events at life’s end, and birding objectives carried out in unusual manners will find it easy to recommend Discovery. The novel will appeal to audiences looking for emotionally compelling stories of old age and the special forms of self-examination and revelation that can emerge at the end of life.

 

And then, there are birds . . .

 

 

OnlineBookClub.org review of Discovery by Christopher Ryan.

Helen Bryan is an 85-year-old woman who lives in Valley View, Colorado. She is known for her quick temper and her ability to do things on her own without needing assistance. Helen lost her husband Ed; he was a physician who died at the age of 67. Before her husband’s demise, she wished Ed would retire at the age of 65, and they would enjoy their retirement in Valley View and also purchase a motor home they would use for touring. However, her plans went for naught when her husband suffered from a stroke, and she had to take care of him. He died nine months later, making Helen move to Valley View alone and live there for years. Helen is an avid birder, an activity that makes her day and makes her feel alive. At age 85 she still sits on her recliner every morning and uses her binoculars to watch the birds that are on her feeder and jot them down on her note. On a day like every other day, she discovers a peculiar bird, which makes Helen embark on an adventure that might cost her life, and with the voices she always hears, this will not be an ordinary feat.

Discovery by Christopher Ryan is a book that will evoke a whirlwind of emotions in readers. The book depicts what it means to be old, as we see Helen struggle to do mundane tasks and the challenges of living with arthritis. The book made me appreciate the beauty of growing old, and at the same time, my heart ached about what it means to be old. The book portrays the loss that comes with age as Helen loses people who are dear to her. The author brought the book to life by depicting Helen as a character one cannot lose interest in. I felt every emotion as my heart ached, and I admired her. I admire her strength and her ability to follow her passion, both at age 55, when she went back to college to study ornithology, and at age 85, when she embarked on an adventure. Even when she discovered some upheaval, she didn’t give up and continued her journey. Her bravery and determination are inspiring and motivating.
 
The characters I loved most in the book were Helen and Janet. I loved how Janet had Helen’s best interest at heart and was always concerned about her. Despite being way younger, Janet saw Helen as a friend and consistently supported her. The book’s character development is top-notch as the author makes them realistic and relatable, which will draw readers. Additionally, I love how the story plot is well structured. The chapters are well organized, and the language is clear and easy to grasp. The book is slow-paced; however, there is no lackluster moment in the book, as I enjoyed every scene.