Rescue, By Anita Shreve

 

Emma Hagestadt
Friday 17 February 2012 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rookie paramedic Peter Webster has been trained to avoid entanglements with his patients. But when he pulls a young woman from the wreckage of her car, he can't help being drawn to her chesnut tresses and inviting mouth.

Sheila Arsenault is an alcoholic on the run from a violent partner. Webster is convinced he can "smooth out" her rough edges and bring this "sexy and beautiful" girl back from the brink. Fast-forward 18 years, and it's clear Webster's heroics have been misguided.

Not Shreve's best novel, this medical melodrama feels contrived. Life in working-class Vermont is well-portrayed, but these hardscrabble New Englanders never quite emerge as flesh-and-blood. Yet Shreve never fails to get our hearts racing, even when we've been running on empty.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in