Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope Reviews

• A Different Point of View

  
  By A2T7GJONIZFP1Q on 2008-04-14
  At the time I am writing this review, I see there are no reviews lower than a "5". For those of you who want a more objective view, or those who want a different point of view from a person who isn't an evangelical Christian, this one is for you.
  
  Like many readers I was mesmerized by this story, first hearing of it when it happened and then more recently when it received more media attention on Dateline, Oprah, and via People magazine coinciding with the publication of the book. How could this have happened? How did the families react? How is Whitney doing? All these questions were answered by the media yet I wanted to know more and was glad to see the book was available for download on my Kindle. The Van Ryns and Ceraks seem like such nice people who are truly living their faith. Even in their grief how they were able to reach out to one another was really amazing. We should all learn from how they handled this tragic situation. That said, I wanted to know more about Whitney's brain injury itself and other than the first five weeks, the TBI portion was really not covered in very much detail.
  
  These families are the epitome of Christian kindness. In a world where evangelical Christians sometimes have a negative connotation, where they say they pray but their actions seem to be full of hypocrisy, these people really do walk the walk and talk the talk. When I see those buttons that say "WWJD" these are the people who definitely I would think of.
  
  However, although well written, the families use so much praise and prayer in their story that they end up alienating the readers who could really benefit from the message. Another sore spot with me was that they did a lot of bragging about the people that evidently became Christians due to this tragedy. Does that make them somehow feel better? The story itself really gets bogged down in all the religion. To some readers this is a positive point, to others like myself who considers themself spiritual rather than religious, this was way overdone. I found myself skimming many parts - making this a very quick read.
  
  For those who are interested in a book detailing more about traumatic brain injury, I highly recommend Where is the Mango Princess by Cathy Crimmins who details her husband's TBI in detail and how it affected her family. I would recommend Mistaken Identity to evangelical Christians who aren't concerned about details of traumatic brain injury itself. I am glad that I didn't pay full price for this book, instead being able to download it on my Kindle. I can see where a person who could easily be put-off by the overtly Christian overtones of this book would send it flying across the room despite the fact that this is a truly amazing story and these are wonderful people who I applaud for being as caring as they were in a time of such tragedy. I think that it doesn't take a Christian to be able to react this way, genuine caring human beings of any faith or no faith at all may have done the same thing.
  
  Just an aside, it will be really interesting to see how many "not helpful" votes I get for this review from people who just don't agree with me because I dared write a negative review on this book, because I dared be anti-Christian when I am truly just trying to be helpful and give people another version in order for them to make an educated decision before spending their hard-earned money on a book.
  
  
  

• Excellent read and a heartwarming story of how God works through tragedy

  
  By A2XJFTLQMDKDR8 on 2008-03-26
  This is a well written book that accurately recounts the tragic and miraculous story of Whitney Cerak and Laura Van Ryn. As a member of the church where the Ceraks minister I know the heart and strength of the Cerak family. This book is riveting and ultimately shows us that God works in wonderful and sometimes unpredictable way to bring people to Him. The Cerak's and Van Ryn's are strong and Godly families who were chosen for the ultimate purpose of winning the lost to God's saving grace. This book is inspirational and a reminder to us all to place our priorities on the Eternal.
  
  

• A Great Read

  
  By A1104FOPLC8SOJ on 2008-03-29
  I couldn't put this book down. It was such a compelling read that I kept turning page after page wanting to know what came next...eventhough I already knew how it ended. It is beautifully written, almost like reading a fiction book, and yet, of course, frightenly real. It is tragic that this actually happened, but I'm thankful to each family that they have chosen to tell their story. To share with us the grace and mercy, and abundant love that these two families have for one another. They have been a wonderful example of how we, too, can love and forgive, and have compassion towards one another when life doesn't play out how we would like. This book makes me want to live a deeper faith-filled life and always love and have faith...no matter what!
  
  

• Hollywood could never have dreamed this up!

  
  By A2E1EFNIZL2FVA on 2008-04-04
  If you can think what is the most outrageous unbelievable story you heard in your lifetime, it has to be this; the daughter you buried is not yours, and the injured daughter you nursed for five weeks was not yours. Although tragedies often evolve into miracles, this combination was never meant to be.
  
  After a tragic accident on an Indiana highway, two blond girls of similar features were mistaken for one another. Whitney Cerak lived but was comatose, while Laura Van Ryn actually died, but was sent to the hospital to be treated. Misidentification! It was a result coroner's carelessness, and with that, unimaginable consequences upon two families.
  
  The book, written with help of author Mark Tabb, starts with the section about the events of discovery, on the Cerak's part, that their daughter may be alive. Then, the story begins and reveals extensive detail of care by the Van Ryns who believed their daughter was alive, but was hurt badly. This is simple and non-pretentious writing, because it is merely your average God-loving families with deep religious faith.
  
  Connecting with the readers
  As you read, you begin to really understand the two families, their feelings, fears, surprises, stamina, hope, faith, etc. And if you are unfamiliar with their dedicated passages, you too, can learn and be inspired. Read Laura's sister Lisa's amazing faithful internet blog for updates and then you have Susie Van Ryn's touching prayer journal. Learn about the emotional passages said during the Cerak funeral.
  
  Compassionate People
  You will learn the true compassion of strangers, the offering of the Samaritan house to the Van Ryns; the couple who owned the pizza shop and brought so much pizza and bottled water to ICU. You will hear how the Van Ryns were surprised their neighbors cut the grass while the family was bedside to Laura. You will learn how the Ceraks through their grief received so many flowers, food, cookies, notes, cards and how they sat and listened intently to each of many phone messages offering comfort.
  
  False Parents
  I had to laugh at what Don Van Ryn said when he learned that his Laura referred to them as false parents. With that, you feel compassion for this family as they wrestled with the phrase "false parents."
  
  And then, share in the exchange of discovery that changed their lives, and the miracle of the Ceraks that could only be dreadful tragedy for the Van Ryns.
  
  This is a wonderful story that Hollywood could not have dreamed up! I have children, I feel for these amazing people, all of them. Rizzo
  
  
  

• Amazing and heartbreaking story

  
  By A1SE2WC8ENC8DH on 2008-03-27
  This story captured the nation and many of us wondered if this could happen to us or someone we love. The feelings, the emotions, sometimes these get over looked when hearing news stories, but this book brings us into the very improbably and unparalleled incident directly. My heart reaches out to these families and wish them the best as they move forward. Go beyond the news, the bits and pieces and learn the full reality of two families who are joined by both the deepest sorrow and confused joy at the same time. Like many others, I am still grasping to understand how anyone can handle such news and this really shows how strong and vital faith can be. Blessings.
  
  Bryan Hutchinson
  Author of:
  One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD
  
  
• A Story of Faith, Hope and Love.....
  By A28WQ00HJR7LC1 on 2008-03-30
  I am good friends with the parents of one of these families. I know how hard it was for them to tell their story... to open themselves up in this way. However, they obviously felt compelled to share knowing it would be a way of giving testimony to the faithfulness of God.... no matter what the circumstance. Both families share their stories in a very real way. They bring the reader into the most unbelievable, heartwrenching situations that for them were all too real. Hopefully as you read of their journey you will feel uplifted, grateful, challenged and more aware of the loving God these families have found to be so faithful and good.
  
  
• Very Religious
  By A3TI9Y0RM6XY6W on 2008-04-18
  I was very disappointed with this book. The book should be in the religious section of any bookstore! It was so full of religion that it really took away from the story. While I understand and appreciate that the writers of the book come from a very strong religious background I feel that they may have put a little more thought into other people who might be interested in the story. Also the story didn't really explain how the mistake happened. I kept thinking that maybe it would get to this but it never really did. It really is a tragedy that something like this could happen but you won't gain any more insight into the events that took place by reading this. They also did not want to discuss the accident itself. While I am not into all of the gory details about such an accident a simple explanation would have helped the reader understand how the accident itself happened. Who was at fault and what were the events leading up to the girls being misidentified.
  
  
• A Very Special Book
  By AW1V1DAKJKEYW on 2008-04-06
  I couldn't put this book down. What these two families went through was absolutely incredible, and you feel every emotion they feel as they wend through their strange journey. Before I read this book I couldn't believe a family could not recognize that the person they think is their daughter and sister is not. But after seeing the strength of the power of suggestion--in this case being told by officials that this was their daughter--especially when the two girls look so much alike, I can understand the mistake, although it is still very hard to believe. Your heart breaks for Laura's family, while you feel unimaginable joy for the Ceraks. I am so glad this book was written, so the public could understand just how this mix up could happen. Excellent.
  
  
• An easy but gripping read!
  By ABP6TUIEU99FW on 2008-04-01
  The name of the book caught my eye, so I picked it up to read the description on the back. I had never heard of this event on the news and thought at first it was fiction. I gave it a chance and was stunned to find out this was a true story. What made this book so great were my own curiosity and the way the writers answer all my questions. It takes you step-by-step through the five and one half weeks. Somehow the parents have written it a way that you are able to see into their lives and thoughts. It is an easy read and to the point, which makes it nice.
  
  
• Far too much scripture and prayer
  By A1JNZOSBP4PTTH on 2008-04-23
  I agree with the review from "A Different Point of View, April 14, 2008." The story is phenomenal. The families extraordinary with their deep faith, yet I cannot help but keep asking what the blessing in all this was? Obviously the family whose child lived, they have the biggest miracle of all. But the praise that goes on and on and how other people became deeper in their faith due to their story -- huh? I believe in Christ and know that God has a plan for us all. A reason for everything. Yet I cannot understand what the families' points are. Perhaps, in order to survive such a travesty a person has to sink themselves into faith because there is nothing else to take away the pain. The story certainly didn't leave me feeling with a deeper sense of faith and it was annoying to constantly read the scripture, etc. I began skimming through that more as the book went on. When I watched the story on Dateline I expected to hear the same and was shocked that Whitney herself wasn't raving the praise of God. Perhaps, as time passes, more reality sets in. I don't know. And I do not want to judge them for their actions. Both families seem like amazing, genuine, wonderful people.
  
  This is a horrific tragedy that should never have happened. Christian or not, I would be suing the pants off those who made the mistake. And this story is a HUGE lesson to everyone that we all should listen to any gut feeling we might have that something isn't right, or off, or something isn't resonating within ourselves. I can certainly understand the emotional trauma of everything and how a person wouldn't even be thinking of reasons not to believe it was their daughter. But...
  
  So I agree with those who were overwhelmed with the religion in the book. I suppose the families believe those at fault will meet the ultimate judgment some day and they didn't need to do that here on earth.
  
  
• Congratulations to both families, and Mr. Tabb...
  By A1RWCAEPO7Y0PB on 2008-04-03
  ...for putting their story down in such an incredible way.
  
  I ordered this book only because we have some second-hand connections with both families. I expected it to be interesting for that reason, but braced for the typical ghostwritten, smarmy-faith drivel. I was blown away!
  
  I could not put the book down, and crawled into a corner of my bedroom to hide from the kids until I'd finished it, five hours later. It is sweet and inspiring, honest and touching. The writer presents both families in such a way that I could completely relate to their fears and heartaches, and also to their reliance upon Christ to sustain them in the face of intense pain. As their stories are unfolded side-by-side, the book becomes as gripping, as another reviewer has said, as the best novels.
  
  It's just wonderful to see such wholesomeness connected with a news headline, and such tangible humanity evident through what might otherwise be a schmaltzy "Christian" book.
  
  Congratulations on reaching Amazon's #2 spot! This one certainly deserves its audience.
  
  
  
  
• Four and a half stars -- not great literature, but an amazing compelling story
  By A3ECAVKWPB26HV on 2008-09-23
  Believe it or not, I came to this book through a TV show. What's really ironic about that is I don't even have TV. My boyfriend and I run a bookstore, and most of our time, energy, and focus is caught up with books and the day-to-day needs of our business. Why bother paying for TV when most of it is junk, and we don't have time anyway? We do, however, like "House", and so we rent the DVDs. I saw an episode from Season 4 -- I believe it was the opening episode -- about two young women who worked in an office building that collapsed. I won't give everything away, but suffice it to say, their identities were mixed up. I talked to a friend about how much that episode touched me, stayed with me, had me reflecting on it for days. She suggested this book.
  
  The story seems unbelieveable, as many people have said -- more like a storyline for a TV show or a movie than something that could really happen in real life.
  
  I hate to join in the "circus-for-free" syndrome that we seem to have, almost helpless to turn our eyes away from the accident scene, the smoke pouring out the windows of the burning building, the crumbled buildings and bodies left in the wake of the latest disaster shown on the news. Nevertheless, this story was so compelling. I had to known more about what transpired, what the families went through, how the mix-up happened. I believe and respect that the only reason these families agreed to write their blog, do some media interviews, and eventually do this book was the opportunity to share their faith.
  
  I grew up in the church, but I have often stayed on the perimeter, uncomfortable with so many things done and said in the name of Christianity. I am often uncomfortable with stories as heavily evangelical as this. In this case, I was so proud of the Van Ryns and the Ceraks. They are living their faith, and sharing it beyond "the shadow of the valley of Death", being content in all things because of the One who strengthens them, tested like Job. I was not "turned off" this story by how much they told it by faith. I was deeply touched.
  
  
• Same as interviews
  By AJ2FPCUWZHQDN on 2008-04-18
  First, I have to say that many gave low ratings because of the religious aspects of the book. The book prolgue clearly states that it is meant to be a book about God - page ix says "This book is really about how God has sustained two families through His grace." If you don't want to read about their beliefs then this book isn't for you. I however found it inspiring to be a better person and to look to God and show my gratitude to God more fully and more often.
  
  With this said, I gave the book a rating of 3 simply because it didn't contain anything different from the interviews from Matt Lauer and Oprah. The interviews were just to thorough!
  
  
• Mistaken Purchase
  By ARBZ0QDRYEXGP on 2008-05-27
  A true story, which had the potential to be a gripping, thought-provoking, psychological exploration of an intense human experience, turned out to be a boring 263 page sermon!
  
  
• If you're not a Christian, this book will alienate you
  By A2R4XG0L7Z01V8 on 2008-06-03
  I bought this book in the airport, after being at home and having to leave two books behind, because I thought my hand luggage was going to be over the limit. Turns out I was well under the limit. As you well know, airport bookshops are ridiculously expensive, and I regret this purchase even more since I found out from my mum that she bought the exact same book.
  
  But back to the book. It doesn't take you long to finish this book. There's not a lot of substance, and I did get the feeling there was a lot of padding.
  
  Many Americans know the story, I really only vaguely remember it being mentioned on the news over here, and I think it was printed in a couple of magazines that the girls had been mixed up.
  
  The story focuses on Whitney and Laura, two blonde bubbly Christian girls, who were both involved in a serious crash. Laura's purse was found near Whitney, and the mix up began. Laura's parents were informed that she was in a critical condition in hospital, Whitney's parents were informed that she'd died. But it was really the other way around. Whitney was in hospital and Laura had died.
  
  I admire the parents for being able to tackle the hard writing of this book, but I found myself alienated by the constant references to God and prayers etc. I've never been religious, and I consider myself an aethist, but won't stamp on someone else's beliefs. A few mentions of God, a couple of prayers, would have been quite sufficient, but it was too much. It detracted my attention away from the heart of the story, the two girls, and it left me feeling empty afterwards. It also felt a bit off that people who'd read the blog were converted to Christianity through this story. That was way too much in my opinion.
  
  Apart from that, it was a good story to read, with Laura's parents looking after Whitney, believing it was Laura lying there, and Whitney's parents "burying" their child. When Whitney starts to come to, and they start to make the connection she isn't who they think she is, it does keep you turning the pages frantically, to find out what happens. The excerpts from the blog is quite interesting to read, and other people's comments and then of course the photos and the 'blog' by Whitney at the end, it leaves you feeling happy inside.
  
  Although it was an excellent story, it could have done without certain references. I'm not here to question anyone's beliefs, just to review a book. I would still recommend this to people, but perhaps give them a prior warning beforehand.
  
  
• Gripping story that elucidates compassion
  By A2P6AJQA42QEKC on 2008-03-31
  Wow! The story is riveting, and you'd almost mistake it for a great work of fiction, except that it is entirely true! The vulnerability of the parents in sharing their experience and their faith is a testimony to the book's persuasiveness. The book also provides a helpful contribution to the role of faith and how Christian faith commitment is and cannot be simply a matter of private opinion or a mere expression of cultural privatization. The story shows the power of the Christian faith and the meaning and importance of the local church to compassionately respond to suffering. For a nonfiction and non-narrative account of the importance of the Christian faith to contemporary life and culture, JP Moreland's KINGDOM TRIANGLE (www.kingdomtriangle.com) is recommended. MISTAKEN IDENTITY is a parable of what Moreland tries to communicate.
  
  
• Good Book!
  By A166ROY4SVRLC4 on 2008-04-05
  I highly recommend this book. It's very touching and heartfelt. These two families share two different outcomes, but share the common thread of incredible faith that has helped all of them get through this unfortunate accident.
  
  I grew up around the Marion (Ind). area (Gas City), and Mrs. Colleen Cerak had been the girl's junior high school P.E. teacher (Mississinewa, R.J. Baskett). Vaguely, I remember her taking a leave of absence because she had had a baby. This was back in 1987, so that baby would have been Whitney Cerak. I didn't realize it was the mother of the victim, but watched the Dateline special and recently finished the book. I thought Colleen looked very familiar on television. I couldn't figure it out until I noticed on the back of the book it said she was a P.E. teacher and coach in Michigan. I called the school to verify it and it was Colleen who indeed had been the P.E. teacher.
  
  It's amazing to think how in less than 45 days these families lives would be altered forever. In our day and time of economic stress, loss of jobs, after reading this book, it sure puts your life in perspective. We need not to take our families for granted and learn to enjoy our loved ones, friends, and the overall fading moments of our lives. You just never know what can happen.
  
  
• Life Happens
  By A3H6P6JIOKELT6 on 2008-05-20
  A very emotional and inspiring read, although there were times I was sidetracked by the religious references. I understand that both families used their faith to get them through this devastating time, but I didn't realize that was going to be the basis of the story when I started.
  
  That said, though, this is a really good story. I recommend reading it along with Jacquelyn Mitchard's ALL WE KNOW OF HEAVEN, which, although not drawn specifically from this story, shares several similarities and is a wonderful book.
  
  
• What a story
  By AUICK2BKIPZ5B on 2008-04-02
  I simply could not put this book down. What a gripping story. You had the feeling you were reading fiction, yet it is one of the most compelling stories one could read.
  
  Editor of Michele Cozzens' award winning women's fiction A Line Between Friends
  
  
• Morbid
  By AYWDJINGV8G9S on 2008-04-22
  I wanted to like this book but couldn't get past the dead college students. Then to realize that one family buried the wrong girl and no one in the family looked to see if this was this daughter? They were asked in the hospital to identify the body and they didn't. I understand grief and am not judging these families, but it gave me the creeps to know that this issue could have been resolved earlier. As for the families, a huge amount of credit should be given to them for neither family blamed the other and each cared for the other child with care and tenderness. I just felt depressed reading the book, but then again I am only one opinion. It was well written and included many pictures of the girls.
  
  
• Hard to put down
  By A18QPSTBF81NKR on 2008-07-27
  I was a bit concerned after reading some of the reviews about this book. As a non-Christian, I was worried that it would be too religiously based. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was a great book. I read the entire book in two days! At times, it did seem to be a bit heavy on the religious aspects, but overall I think it is worth the time to read. It was amazing that people were able to have such an enormous amount of faith at such a trying time in their lives. Although it was mentioned several times that some people became Christians after reading the blogs, I did not find this offensive. Everyone has the right to believe as they wish. I did not feel like the emphasis was on "converting" anyone in this book. I have already passed this book on to a friend.
  
  
• An amazing story of the power of faith, hope and grace
  By A25HYPL2XKQPZB on 2008-05-20
  I'm a man and I'm 35 and I admit that I found myself tearing and choking up from the prologue to the very last chapter. The emotional impact of the book starts right at the beginning and never lets up. If you aren't familiar with the story of the Van Ryn and Cerak family, then prepared to be amazed. It's a story that even the most twisted novelist could not have imagined. The story of the mistaken identity isn't the most amazing thing about this book. The faith that the Van Ryn and Cerak families have in God while living through the most umimaginable pain possible is incredible. This book is a witness to the incredible power that God has to guide people through times of tragedy and to shine a light of hope on even the darkest of situations.
  
  Late one night when a van of students and staff at Taylor University were returning to campus, a truck crossed the center median and hit the van. There were nine people in the van and five died. The loss of life was tragic for all involved, but the night of the wreck was only the beginning for two familes. The Van Ryns get a phone call that their daughter, Laura had been in an accident and was in critical condition at the hospital. The same night, the Ceraks get a call that their daughter, Whitney, did not survive the crash. Both familes cooperated on writing this book, and the reader learns in dramatic detail about the chaos and confusion as family members and the entire campus community try and find out what happened. Each family's story is covered in alternating chapters. We follow the Ceraks as they plan Whitney's funeral and grieve for their loss. We follow the Van Ryns as they never leave Laura's side, and pray for a speedy recovery. Through both families, we are given details of an incredible outpouring of love and support and prayer that friends, families and strangers provide. The grace with which the families deal with this tragedy in inspiring.
  
  At the time of this book's release, the families did a lot of interviews on shows like Today, Oprah and Dateline. If you saw those shows, you'll know how incredibly blessed these families are. Their faith in God is incredible and both familes thought the best way to use this tragedy for good would just to tell their story and let others learn about their faith in God.
  
  The Van Ryns were told Laura had lived but would be slow to recover, so they did not pay attention to all the minor details that would have proven that Laura was in fact Whitney. But their minds didn't work that way. They loved Whitney as their own daughter, they suffered just as the Ceraks had when they found out Laura was dead. Yet through all the pain, both familes relied on God.
  
  I could go on forever about how inspirng and touching this story is. For readers who may not be Christians, or may have had tragedy in their own life, you will enjoy this book as well. The faith of the two families will show you the peace that comes with being able to trust in God and will give those who have suffered a guide on how to rely on God in the toughest times.
  
  
  
• A Remarkable Story
  By ACK880145VWRV on 2008-06-02
  Well, I am two minds about this book. First, it is simply an amazing story that manages to be both distressing and uplifting at the same time. Two girls who resembled--but didn't know--each other were in a horrific accident together when their Taylor University van was struck by a truck that crossed over the center divider. Laura Van Ryn died and Whitney Cerak lived, but they were misidentified as each other . . . and neither family detected the error. So the Ceraks buried Laura and grieved for her as their own, while the Van Ryns spent five weeks at Whitney's hospital bedside, willing her back to life. It was only as she was emerging from her coma and the effects of a traumatic brain injury, that Whitney was able to print her name and the truth finally emerged. While it seems impossible that this mistake could endure for so long under such close scrutiny, it obviously did happen and the book helps to make some sense of this. But in the end, the two families traded places, and the Ceraks literally had their daughter "back from the dead" while the poor Van Ryns who had been heroic throughout this ordeal suddenly had to come to grips with the loss of theirs. Whitney, in the end, recovers much of her former self, but not all; she remains a changed person. Although her comments in this book are relatively few, they are certainly thought-provoking.
  
  Second, however, the reader should be forewarned that ALL of the principals in this story are evangelical Christians, with Taylor University (a religious school) being the common link. So the two girls and both their families, all the other victims, all their friends and significant others, etc. are of this persuasion. Accordingly, on almost every page there is some mention of God, Jesus Christ, prayer, scriptures, Bible study, Bible camp, and so forth. While you appreciate deeply that it was their faith that sustained them through this terrible trial, if you are not of the same ilk, you may be put off. Indeed, the families explain the crash as "God's will," noting that as their incredible tale was spread worldwide many people following the news and the Van Ryns' (and later Cernaks') blog converted to Christianity. And they say that all the victims would have happily chosen to die to promote this spread and strengthening of faith. While that may be going a bit too far, it is undoubtedly true that these two families' belief in a heavenly afterlife gives them solace in the face of the unthinkable and that their strong religious community gave them the support to get through it all. All in all, I enjoyed the book, but I could have done with a little less of the creed.
  
  
  
• Amazing Story
  By AWJIVCMK4X4DP on 2008-04-18
  I am a Taylor University Alum, and was a freshman at Taylor when this tragic accident happened. My heart and soul goes out to both of these amazing families. This book made me cry for joy and for sadness. This book was good for my soul. Their story is a testament to the fact that good things can come out of a tragedy.
  
  
• Mistaken Identity
  By A17G6LP0ZN215K on 2008-06-11
  This book was a very touching story covered up by a tragedy. It's a novel mainly of two families who mourn for each other as well as their own family as they learn that some of their loved ones are dead and then alive again. It's a constant twist of emotions, much like an emotional rollercoaster. Although I would not say that it was well written, granted that the authors are no where near professional writers, it was difficult to grasp. The emotions portrayed in the novel were not realistic enough for me. There were several scenes that would have called for some very emotional and angry attitudes/dialogues, and in the book it was all toned way down and very very calm. I suppose I gave this a one star review because I really wasn't that pleased with the way it was written, I had expected something more factual based and not so much sugar coated. The book was very religious and it was obvious that the purpose of the book was to have others follow in the steps of Jesus Christ. When reading the book in a miracle perspective, and leaning more towards the religious aspect, it was a wonderful novel and I would recommend it to everyone. It was obvious the God played a huge role in the lives of these two families. Over all, if you'd like to read something religious and uplifting, I completely recommend this novel. If you would like to hear the facts of how the hospitals messed up and the more realistic version, I would definitely not recommend this novel.
  
  
• triumph of the human spirit
  By A2UOAZVG9UA0EL on 2008-06-16
  This book is an easy read. SPOILER ALERT before reading this review if you want to solve any mysteries in the book which I definitely did want to. You have to keep
  turning the pages to find out how the mistaken identity will be corrected. I first heard of the tragedy on the news and then saw the show
  on Oprah. I went to a Christian college in Michigan so I can relate to
  the locales and atmosphere discussed in the book. I am a very lukewarm
  Christian, if there is such a thing. The book is filled with religious
  lifestyle and fervor which sometimes bogs the storyline. It is their
  true way of life and feelings but if you arent a rah-rah Christian, it
  can get annoying. I understand it as I spent four years in college with
  many of these types. That is the lens through which they see the world
  so you have to adjust to it. I bought the book because I needed to read
  the step by step details of exactly HOW they did not recognize their own
  daughter. I believe their story is true but I have to say that after
  reading the details-------something "happened" that really did suspend
  belief and create a miracle. It was not God working miracles but faith
  and love being BLIND. They were so strong that it prevented an acceptance
  of what was right in front of them like an optical illusion. I agree that
  in the first weeks with bandages and swelling and the patient unable to
  speak, there is room for error. At the point when the patient is being
  lifted and put in a chair and you are able to see more of the body....
  and the face is visible and less swollen.....the shape of the hands and
  feet....The pictures of the two girls on the cover show similar but not
  alike. Unless the teeth were knocked out in the accident... The first glaring sign I can see is the unique shape of the teeth. Completely different
  and noticeable. If a parent or sister cannot see the teeth line has changed drastically, what hope is there? Someone noticed but it was brushed aside. A family friend said it was not her early on....she was
  brushed aside. A scar that was noticed was brushed aside. Peoples hands
  and fingernails are very unique as are the feet. I could pick out my
  child's feet or hands among fifty people or more. I do not get that they
  did not know. Even when the girl is talking and saying that they are NOT
  her parents-----they continue with the RABID faith. This is where the faith thing derails and is a good lesson for people. Faith can be misguided and wrong. The book is interesting because of this aspect of
  human psychology. They see a mirage and swear it is the waterhole. The
  brain trauma was as great with the parents as was the patient. People's
  ears are even unique and differently shaped......did they not look at the
  ears of their daughter...the lip shape?...this book is mind boggling.
  To have to go to dental records for a living and (limited) speaking person is unique and worthy of a book. The family bonds and impeccable
  character of these Christians is something refreshing in this day and age
  of violence,drugs and pornography. I also purchased the book as a small
  way of donating to them as they did not run to lawyers to sue the pants
  off everyone involved. I think the book should have had a few more pages
  about each of the other victims. They got a a page or two each of memoriam but I would have liked five pages or more about each,
  even a chapter. (and less about the daily religious blog by Mom). P.S.
  the eye colors of the girls were blue but not exactly the same shade. Any
  moles or freckles? Yet, mistaken identity.
  
  
• I'm buying extra copies of this book for others
  By A1BHPAIO3B8HOQ on 2008-08-07
  Immediately after finishing this book, I recommended it to my mother & sister. Both said they couldn't stop the tears whilst reading the book. Especially my mother, who lost a brother in a similar car accident 20 years ago - who knew all too well the pain that the victims' families were going through. She said there were several times when she was forced to put down the book because she was crying so much.
  
  Despite the sadness of the events, I am amazed and impressed by the reactions of the families and Whitney herself. They deal with the tragedies with faith, and even humour. This book is most definitely worth a read - I've lent it to several people so far, and about to purchase extra copies as gifts for friends. I normally don't spend much money on books but this is definitely worth every dollar. I don't even begrudge the exorbitant sum I have to pay for international shipping.
  
  To non-Christian readers who say they felt alienated by the heavy Christian themes, I encourage them to read anyway. If you're interested in reading this book to understand how they coped with the tragedy, those parts of the books aren't just a Sunday sermon - they are part of the families' healing process.
  
  The only minor negative comment I have with this book is the style in which it is written. At times, it's overly emotive. The author's repeated use of "NOOOOOOOOO!" gets a bit tiring at times and suggests poor writing skills. The author could have done a better job of conveying emotions. But this is such a minor element of the book. The rest of the book is very easy to read and I still enthusiastically recommend this book.
  
  
• Courtesy of Teens Read Too
  By A2TX179XAT5GRP on 2008-08-13
  Everyone saw the news splashed across the headlines or on the evening news reports. The wrong family was sitting beside a recovering girl in the hospital. How could it have happened? Read MISTAKEN IDENTITY to get the inside account from the two families that were involved in the unbelievable story.
  
  The story seems straight out of the movies, almost too hard to fathom. But the Van Ryn and Cerak families, aided by Mark Tabb, tell the story of how Whitney and Laura were misidentified and two families dealt with both joy and sorrow with the help of their unerring faith in God.
  
  Laura and Whitney were both students at Taylor University, a Christian college in Indiana. There were both in a school van on their way back to campus from a banquet with a few other people. A tractor trailer crossed the median and hit the side of the van, plowing it onto the side of the road. "Laura" was thrown 50-feet from the van. When rescue workers found her, a purse and ID nearby said that it was Laura Van Ryn. The photo on the ID looked enough like her. Thus began a five-week trial for both families.
  
  The Cerak family received a call that Whitney had died in the accident. An employee from the university had identified her for the family. Colleen couldn't bring herself to look at the empty shell of what was left of Whitney, knowing in her heart that the true spirit of Whitney was now standing before God. Had Colleen gone and identified the body, would the error have been caught on the first night? No one knows.
  
  The entire story is a bunch of "what ifs" by both families. Little things during "Laura's" recovery made family and friends question and wonder when "Laura" would return to her full self. But with the doctors and therapists constantly telling the Van Ryns that the neurons are firing but not necessarily connecting properly yet, no one gave it a serious second thought.
  
  Only after "Laura" starts to come out of her coma and respond to therapy do the questions truly get raised. When a therapist asks "Laura" to write her name -- out came "W-H-I-T-N-E-Y." In the next few days, the pieces all come together, and a forensic dentist verifies the worst news for the Van Ryn family: this is not Laura after all.
  
  What should be a story of loss for the Van Ryn family is a story of unerring faith. They are truly grateful for the time they spent with Whitney in the hospital. They are happy for the Ceraks' miracle and do not blame God.
  
  The Cerak family went through grief but knew that Whitney had lived in God's love and was in a better place. They had sorrow, but knew that they would all see Whitney sometime in the future. When the call came that she may still be alive, Carly, Whitney's sister, would not believe it. Not until she saw with her own eyes did she believe the miracle that Whitney was still alive.
  
  The story is so uplifting in the true belief both families have in God, that even in the time of sorrow they both experienced, the reader never once felt truly sad. The Van Ryn and Cerak families are both truly exceptional families. They are unwavering in their faith and love in God. They are both wonderful examples of a life lived to the fullest.
  
  Reviewed by: Jaglvr
  
  
• Hope overcomes tragedy
  By A3GFY3YNRRTCE8 on 2008-09-01
  I bought this book months ago, but kept putting it off for some reason. Yesterday I decided to pick it up and read. I had watched an interview months before with the two families explaining the situation and I wanted to know more. I was amazed by the reactions and the support given to both families during their time of need. I could barely put the book down and actually finished it in less than a day, which is more than I can say for other books. I think you don't even have to be religious to understand whats going on in the book because you go through this process with the families. It was amazing to read how both families pushed through and put on a positive face. Its also sad to have to read about one family finding out that the girl they thought was there own was actually someone else's. I especially felt sad when Aryn, who was going to propose to Laura after graduation, wrote his last blog. He seemed to be the most broken out of everyone in the family because he wanted to have a future with Laura. Its extremely brave of both families to handle the situation in a great way. They didn't feel a need to sue the man who was driving the truck that caused the accident, but instead would have just liked to know what really happened. This book was truly inspiring.
  
  
• Interesting theme
  By A33FNFBK2CS1CX on 2008-09-09
  The story line of this book is fascinating and intriguing. It evokes many strong emotions as you walk through the events these families lived through. One is drawn into the theme right from the beginning and the book holds your attention throughout. As I read about Laura in the hospital and how many times people questioned many things that did not add up, it baffled me as to how this family could have been so blind to not have recognized that this girl was not theirs sooner. They seemed to be in some kind of fog or deluded state even though they claim to be such strong Christians throughout. Several inferences were made about the discrepancies of the girl not being Laura such as a mysterious navel piercing none of her family knew of, the bag of clothes and type of shoes not being hers that were given to the family very early on and were never questioned. Even when Laura began opening her mouth they noticed her teeth were not the same but continued to remain ignorant. Understandably, she was bandaged and injured when they first saw her, but as she healed and her face became more recognizable, those closest to her seemed to be out to lunch somewhere, still not perceiving all those signs that it was not Laura. It really becomes ludicrous that these people could be so ignorant and prolong this ordeal in such an odd way. The family of Whitney did not go in to identify her body either, so all these behaviors seem a bit askew in the real world. I do not comprehend this kind of behavior given my own personality and curiosity about things. Even Aunt Ruthann, a distant relative seemed to know right away, so how could the closest family members not recognize that this was not their daughter after being with her day and night constantly for five weeks? I will quote the one section that was most profound: "Ruthann scrunched up her face like she had bitten into something sour. I don't care what anyone says, that doesn't look like Laura to me." Even then nobody followed through on investigating this girl's identity time and time again. Their portrayed strong faith in God makes it seem like a bit of a travesty that he would put them through all these things needlessly and they remain oblivious. It is hard for me to believe in their continued concepts of God and their religious beliefs. They do tend to deal with the tragedies they are going through with faith and even humor at times. The way that total strangers showed up to help the family with housing, food and water, even neighbors mowing their lawn while they were away from home was astounding, it really restores ones faith in mankind helping when needed. The book could have been written in a more interesting style; the emotions of those involved could have been more clearly conveyed. Overall, it is a good read and one that really stirs up your emotions and thinking processes, it is almost borderline on being a mystery.
  
  

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