''Before I Wake'' (2006) is a novel by

Robert J. Wiersema Robert J. Wiersema (born 1970) is a Canadian writer. Since 2006, he's published two novels, a novella and a non-fiction book about Bruce Springsteen. Life and career Wiersema was born in Agassiz, British Columbia, in 1970. After high school, he at ...

. The events of the novel take place in

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India * Victoria (state), a state of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a provincial capital * Victoria, Seychelles, the capi ...

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

Plot summary

The novel is set in

. A car accident leaves three-year-old Sherry Barrett in a coma. As her parents struggle to deal with the aftermath of the accident, word spreads that anyone who comes into contact with her will be miraculously cured of illnesses. As interest in Sherry intensifies, she becomes the focus of attention not only from pilgrims seeking healing, but of religious figures who accuse the Barretts of exploiting their daughter for gain. There is a fantastical aspect to some of the characters who intrude into the lives of the Barretts, and even Henry Denton, the driver of the vehicle that struck Sherry, trying to deal with his remorse, becomes trapped in limbo, which in this case is found in the Victoria Public Library.

Characters

; Sherilyn "Sherry" Barrett : A three-year-old girl who was struck in a

hit and run In traffic laws, a hit and run or a hit-and-run is the criminal act of causing a traffic collision and not stopping afterwards. It is considered a supplemental crime in most jurisdictions. Additional obligation In many jurisdictions, there ma ...

and is left

coma A coma is a deep state of prolonged unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to Nociception, respond normally to Pain, painful stimuli, light, or sound, lacks a normal Circadian rhythm, sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate ...

tose. ; Simon Barrett : Sherry's father, a lawyer. ; Karen Barrett : Sherry's mother, homemaker. ; Henry Denton : A man who was driving the truck that struck Sherry. ; Mary : A young associate at Simon's firm with whom he is romantically involved.

Reception

Quill & Quire ''Quill & Quire'' is a Canadian magazine about the book and publishing industry. The magazine was launched in 1935 and has an average circulation of 5,000 copies per issue, with a publisher-claimed readership of 25,000. ''Quill & Quire'' reviews ...

described ''Before I Wake'' as an "engrossing and carefully plotted" bestseller similar to his 2009 novella, ''The World More Full of Weeping''; adding that both are "literary/supernatural hybrids about families in crisis, with children at their cores."

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine's publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, no ...

called it "An engaging and unusual story—a debut with promise."

References

2006 Canadian novels Novels set in British Columbia Culture of Victoria, British Columbia {{Canada-novel-stub