Mistaken Identity

Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

By: Don Van Ryn, Susie Van Ryn, Colleen Cerak, Whitney Cerak, Newell Cerak

Narrated by: Lillian Thayer

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Part 1: Reunion or Farewell?
The story begins as Colleen and Newell Cerak first learn the doubtful, then shocking news that their daughter, buried five weeks earlier, may still be alive. It continues with Colleen's drive to the hospital with the dental records, amidst desperate calls to Newell, overseas on a mission, and finally the reunion. Forming a backdrop to the reunion are the faces of the Van Ryn family, strangers to the Ceraks, who are just coming to terms with the harsh reality that the girl whose bedside they have been posted at for five weeks is not their daughter after all - and that their own daughter, Laura, has already been buried under the name of Whitney Cerak.

Part 2: Five Weeks or a Lifetime?
Part 2 begins the night of the accident and continues up through "Laura's" arrival in the emergency room. The rest of this section centers upon the five weeks when the Ceraks believed their daughter to be dead, and the Van Ryns cared for a girl that was not their own. Woven into these chapters are the back stories of both families and their daughters, including the key questions of how each of these individuals reached a point at which they could respond to this tragedy as they did. A strong element of this story is how the families came to faith and how that faith developed to the point where they could trust God through the unthinkable. The characters all take on full dimensions in this part, and listeners will identify with and feel a strong affection for them. In this section, both families are still separated, traveling down two different arcs. These arcs come together in the night first described in chapter one. Finally, this section will explore the unfolding drama of the Van Ryn's growing doubts that the girl in the hospital is their daughter.

©2008 Susie Van Ryn; 2008 Newell Cerak; 2008 Don Van Ryn; 2008 Colleen Cerak; 2008 Whitney Cerak (P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Mistaken Identity

this was a great book. I can't imagine this happening to anyone. my prayer are with those who still need them.

Life is what you make it

Amazing story with a strong religious overtone much needed by the families involved but perhaps not what the listener bargained for.

Good Christian Values ...

This is an excellent audio book! What beautiful people both families are. What deep love for God that walks the walk and doesn't just talk the talk. Very moving and touching! Excellent choice!

Good to be me and you and me sad to be a person that is a person of sad situation and sad

Good to be me and you and me sad to be a person of sad and sad

Amazing story!

I have followed this story since the beginning and it has stuck in my mind for years. Hearing the details from so many involved was so great! I know the book was meant to tell the story of how great God was through this tragedy but I will say that it became a distracting for me due to how much they consistently spoke about God. It became a bit overwhelming and felt a bit excessive for me, who is someone that isn't hugely religious. I wanted to hear the story about two families, there tragedy, loss and the bonds that were forged over such a tragic mistake. As a reader and a non religious person I would have like about 20% less God talk. Still great story and I'm so very glad they wrote the book. I'd love to see the movie someday!

Really, REALLY good!

This book was much better than I expected. I really really liked it and have also researched many of the news articles of the time. I love the way the families did it together. God bless them all!