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

This is a moving and inspirational book. The story of two families who truly live Christian lives.

great book of a good Christian family and how to deal with life issues.
Easy read.

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 thought about this purchase for a long time before I bought it, thinking it might be one of those smarmy, overly sweet religious books--but it is far from it. This is a true story of the power of God, the power of love, and the power of grace, and I think that both families should be lauded for sharing this incredibly difficult story. This is a story of God's work in the here and now, and I think everyone would like it.

This book is the non-fiction account, written by the families involved about the mistaken identity of their college daughters. One daughter was killed in an accident and the other survived in a hospital in a comotose state with multiple serious injuries and brain damage. Five weeks went by before the parents realized a mistake had been made in identifying their daughters at the accident.

Both were Christian families who lived their faith. The book is full of how the families relied on God's strength to help them deal with this tragic situation. In this day and age when lawsuits are so frequent, the families did not sue over the huge mistake that was made and caused so much anguish to both families. I applaud them both for this!

I especially enjoyed the view of Whitney, the girl who survived but who wasn't quite the same after her recovery, which was miraculous! This book is co-authored by both families which made it very personal, although it really didn't make me feel any strong emotion which surprised me. It's a very good book that emphasizes the use of scripture and praise to God in coping with a tragedy.

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

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.