Till Death Do Us Part (novel)

Infobox Book |
name = Till Death Do Us Part


image_caption = Laurel Leaf edition 1997
author = Lurlene McDaniel
cover_artist =
country = U.S.A.
language = English
series =
genre = Young adult romance
media type = Paperback
publisher = Laurel Leaf
pub_date = July 1997
pages = 224
preceded_by =
followed_by = For Better, For Worse, Forever

"Till Death Do Us Part" is a young adult novel by Lurlene McDaniel, published in July 1997. [ [http://www.randomhouse.com/features/lurlene/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780553570854 "Till Death Do Us Part" at Random House] ] It is about a romance between two young people with serious medical conditions. The sequel, also published in 1997, is called "For Better, For Worse, Forever". [ [http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/lurlene-mcdaniel/for-better-for-worse-forever.htm "For Better For Worse, Forever" at Fantastic Fiction] ]

Plot summary

18-year-old April Lancaster, the child of Janice and Hugh Lancaster, is in the hospital for testing as she has been getting random headaches and blackouts. The tests reveal that the brain tumour she had when she was five has come back. April has to undergo radiation treatments. Under these circumstances, April's soccer champion boyfriend, Chris, feels the need to end their relationship.

When April is admitted to hospital, she meets Mark Gianni, who has cystic fibrosis. Though at first she is reluctant to go out on a date with him, they end up as the perfect couple. As their relationship starts to develop, April learns about Mark's world and how he lives with cystic fibrosis. She in turn begins to make her radiation treatments a part of her life, learning how to cope with living with a deathly disease.

To declare their love for each other, Mark and April decide to get married. April's parents, never exactly ecstatic about Mark's and April's relationship, are completely against the two of them getting married. Finally April manages to convince both her parents to consent to the marriage, and they end up supporting and helping her plan the wedding.

Meanwhile, April attends one of Mark's favourite hobbies: motor racing. Even though racing does a lot of damage to the lungs, especially dangerous for people with CF, April still supports him. On one unfortunate night, Mark's car flips over and crashes on the race track. Mark survives the crash, but develops pnemonia and a fever. Despite everything the doctors try, Mark's time is up.

The book ends with April mourning Mark Gianni and asking her parents to take her some place else so that she can think. The doctor has also told her that her tumour is dormant. The Lancasters head over to St. Croix, where April takes out a balloon and sends it up in the sky with a message in it for Mark.

The sequel, "For Better, For Worse, Forever" begins on St. Croix.

Character histories

April Lancaster:April Lancaster is a sensitive, 18-year-old redhead whose parents shower her with extravagant gifts. Surprisingly, April is not a spoilt brat, which could have been because of her brain tumour that she endured when she was five.

Chris:Chris is a soccer champion who everyone adores. When he finds out about April's situation, he takes off and hooks up with Halie Parker, and leaves April all alone.

Mark Gianni:Mark Gianni is a 21-year-old who never lets anything disappoint him or ruin his cheerful mood, despite having to live with cystic fibrosis his whole life. He turns to cars to pass his time, even though he knows that it is a big risk that could cost him his life.

References

External links

* [http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/lurlene-mcdaniel/till-death-do-us-part.htm "Till Death Do Us Part" at Fantastic Fiction]