Review of "God's Gift."

Inspirational and Insightful: "God's Gift" is a gift to its reader, Sep 23 2007 By Lisa Inglis "Senior Writing Editor" (Manhattan, New York)

What does it mean to be fortunate in life? What does it mean to be blessed? Mario Fedele answers these questions in his deeply personal memoir, "God's Gift."

As most of us navigate our own paths, drawn by the bright lights of financial comfort, career success, and a nice home, others seem to be guided by a glow from somewhere within that ultimately leads them to the real fortunes in life. Mario Fedele is one such individual whose path, riddled with potholes and seemingly insurmountable hills, has led him to a place of gratitude and peace: "In spite of all the adversity I've faced and still am plagued with, I consider myself a lucky man."

Lucky, would not be how most of us would describe the hand Mario Fedele was dealt. His son, Shaun, was born with a rare medical condition that resulted in numerous physical ailments and behavioral challenges. Rather than handing over the reins to doctors, Mario and his wife, Ann, developed their own methods for overcoming obstacles: hope, love, and outside-of-the-box ideas. The result is an inspiring and deeply captivating tale of strength in the face of adversity and hope in the shadow of devastation.

Told as a series of events or eras in the Fedele household, "God's Gift" traverses the rocky landscape of Shaun's young life, with a compelling candor and a good dose of wit. Readers are invited into the hearts and minds of two parents struggling to understand their child's needs and fighting to create the best life for him. The perseverance of Mario and Ann is an inspiration that pales only in comparison to the courage and resilience of their son, Shaun.

"God's Gift" contains a wealth of insights into life, health, medicine, and family that are thought-provoking, poignant and refreshingly unconventional. The novel is a testament to the strength of family and the ability to overcome personal struggles even when all hope seems lost. Readers will be left with a profound sense of gratitude for their own blessings in life and a deeper reverence for our greatest gift: family.