The Hummingbird

A Novel

De: Stephen P. Kiernan

Narrado por: Elyse Mirto, John H. Mayer

From the author of the acclaimed The Curiosity comes a compelling and moving story of compassion, courage, and redemption.

Deborah Birch is a seasoned hospice nurse whose daily work requires courage and compassion. But her skills and experience are tested in new and dramatic ways when her easygoing husband, Michael, returns from his third deployment to Iraq haunted by nightmares, anxiety, and rage. She is determined to help him heal and to restore the tender, loving marriage they once had.

At the same time, Deborah's primary patient is Barclay Reed, a retired history professor and expert in the Pacific Theater of World War II whose career ended in academic scandal. Alone in the world, the embittered professor is dying. As Barclay begrudgingly comes to trust Deborah, he tells her stories from that long-ago war, which help her find a way to help her husband battle his demons.

Told with piercing empathy and heartbreaking realism, The Hummingbird is a masterful story of loving commitment, service to country, and absolution through wisdom and forgiveness.

©2015 Stephen P. Kiernan (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

WOW … this is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read.

As a hospice volunteer, and the sister of a Vietnam Veteran, I’m exceedingly impressed. Thank you.

Beautiful story about life, love, death.

It touched me at my bottom of my heart.
Exiting story about listening for each others, about honour and war-fights, love and death.

Pretty good

I enjoyed this audio book except for the man's part. I found it to be very distracting from the story and I just wanted to skip it and get on to the next chapter. His performance was fine but I just found the content to be boring.
The rest of the story was good and I enjoyed it.

Just okay.

I chose this story based on my love of the book "Bakers Secret". This book just didn't grab at my attention with the same level of suspense. I struggled with both male characters on the book, both so bleak. The main character Deb, kept me listening though. The female narrator was outstanding. I did not care for the male narrator of the (story within the story). It really was no discredit to him, I just didn't care for the story. If this author is new to you, I really recommend the Bakers Secret instead of the hummingbird.

Lovely Story

This tale of a hospice nurse, her war-torn husband and a dying historian is wise and beautiful and such a good book. It is a book that will teach and minister to any human who is open to learning more about life and death and love.

Unequivocal recommendation

A story of sacrifice and suffering by each of the hero characters, warriors, wives, nurses, citizens. Further detail would require spoilers.

No hesitation in strongly recommending to every Audible listener

loved it!

This is a story within a story - actually 3 stories unfold here and each holds your attention. I listen in the car, but had to continue once I got home. Great story (stories) and great narration.

Great Listen!

This book was recommended to me. My first thought was, a book about a Hospice Nurse? That sounds depressing!! But with all the driving I've been doing I though why not give it a listen. I loved it!!

Life changing

As an End-of Life Doula, and new in my role I found this story to be profound and enlightening. I will apply the lessens in this story to this important work as I begin this journey. As a nurse I found the medical references in the story to be mostly accurate. I am more than ever determined that the work of Hospice and others who help bring peace to the dying and their families is is a calling as Stephen Kiernan demonstrated in this wonderful story. And that those who do this work find personal healing along the way. Thank you for this wonderful story.

Good book

Really good book, but I abhorred the profanity...but for that, I would have given it five stars.