This, My Second Life by Patrick Charnley review – an astonishing debut of recovery

Jago Trevarno's World Redesigned After Cardiac Arrest

Twenty-year-old Jago Trevarno has found himself in an unfamiliar situation after being clinically dead for 40 minutes following a cardiac arrest. The young man, who had lost his mother to cancer and his father years ago, now lives in the Cornish village where he grew up under the protection of his "off-gridder" uncle, Jacob. Following a life-changing event that forced him to slow down, Jago's world has shrunk, leaving him with limited emotional capacity.

His days are governed by nature – the weather, animals, seasons, and daylight hours. The simple life may be ideal for immediate recovery, but the inevitable question is whether Jago can live indefinitely in this state of stasis, hiding from his past and the outside world. The boundaries between isolation and normalcy start to blur as he reconnects with the village and his first love, Sophie.

However, a new threat emerges in the form of Bill Sligo, who owns land adjacent to Jacob's farm and has set his sights on one of the fields, sparking Jago into action. With the author's personal experience of cardiac arrest and brain injury, this is more than just a story about recovery – it's a deeply moving exploration of trauma, grief, and resilience.

Patrick Charnley's prose is spare yet beautiful, weaving a narrative that feels like poetry, with simple yet evocative language that paints vivid pictures of Jago's world. As Jago details his limitations and struggles to navigate them, his unique voice shines through, drawing the reader towards hope and life. This debut novel is an astonishing achievement, illuminating the complexities of human emotion in a way that is both profoundly moving and deeply resonant.
 
😱 I mean, 40 minutes without a heartbeat? That's like, a whole different world, right? 🤯 And now he's living this off-grid life, totally disconnected from society... it's like he's trying to escape his demons or something. 💔 But at the same time, it sounds kinda peaceful? Like, nature and all that? 🌿 It's hard to say whether it's a good thing or not, you know? He's gotta confront his past eventually... but maybe this is some kinda therapy for him? 🤷‍♂️ Anyway, I'm definitely intrigued by this story now! What do you guys think? Should Jago stay in the village forever or should he face the world head-on again? 🌈
 
omg i'm so invested in jago's story already 💖 he's literally living off the grid but it's not like some hippie utopia it sounds super isolating 🤯 i love how patrick charnley's writing makes me feel all the feels without saying a word 📚 his prose is so minimalist yet so powerful, i need to read this whole book ASAP 📖
 
OMG, I'm totally intrigued by this story 🤯! The idea of someone living off the grid after a near-death experience sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but at the same time, it's so eerily relatable... have you ever felt completely lost and disconnected from the world? 😴 I love how the author is using this premise to explore themes of trauma, grief, and resilience – it's not just about Jago's recovery, but about the human spirit's ability to cope with adversity 💪. And the writing style sounds amazing 📚 – spare yet beautiful prose that paints vivid pictures... I need to check out Patrick Charnley ASAP 🤫!
 
🤔 I think what's really interesting about Jago's situation is how it highlights the idea that sometimes, being forced to slow down can be a blessing in disguise. His experience of living off the grid and re-evaluating his priorities has given him a chance to reconnect with himself and find a new sense of purpose. It's like he's been given a second chance at life, and that's really beautiful 🌿

At the same time, I'm also intrigued by the theme of trauma and grief in the story. Jago's past experiences have clearly had a profound impact on him, and it's going to be interesting to see how he navigates those emotions as he tries to rebuild his life. Will he find a way to heal and move forward, or will his limitations hold him back? It's definitely a complex question, but I'm excited to find out 📚
 
40 minutes of being dead and suddenly your world shrinks from "I've got my whole life ahead of me" to "I need some alone time"? Sounds like a normal Tuesday for me 🙄. But seriously, I'm curious about how Jago's gonna navigate his newfound limitations and confront the demons that drove him into isolation in the first place. Will he find Sophie again? Can he forgive himself for what happened after his mom passed away? And what's with Bill Sligo showing up like a bad omen? Guess we'll just have to wait and see how this story unfolds 📚
 
idk what's more impressive, the fact that Jago survived a 40-min cardiac arrest or how much his uncle Jacob has been hiding him from the world 🤷‍♂️. like, isn't it great that he gets to live in this super ideal off-grid setup where time stands still? sounds like a total dream come true for someone who's clearly lost all sense of purpose 💕
 
🤯 I'm so inspired by Jago's story! It's like, we're living in a time where people are literally having to redefine what it means to live after experiencing trauma, you know? Like, 40 minutes without oxygen is crazy, but at the same time... what does that do to your perspective on life? 🌎 I love how the author, Patrick Charnley, isn't afraid to explore those complexities. And Jago's relationship with Sophie? *swoon* 💘 It's like, we need more stories about people finding hope and resilience in the midst of grief. Can't wait to dive into this one! 📚
 
Wow! 🤯 I'm so fascinated by Jago's journey and how he's redefining his world after such a traumatic event 🌎💚 The idea of him living off the grid, literally and figuratively, sounds like a unique approach to healing, but also raises questions about how sustainable it is... Interesting
 
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