Pulling Power

Christian Cook

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

EARTHQUAKE HOSPITAL SUICIDE SHOCK

A group of patients rescued from the earthquake in California were discovered carrying out a bizarre suicide pact yesterday afternoon.

By listening in on staff discussions the four had discovered that all of them needed a heart transplant in order to survive, but only one heart was available. Not wanting to leave the decision in the hands of others they began a twisted game of chance, in order to decide who received the heart.

"It was a temporary ward," explained Dr. Bowndes. "There was a mass of wires on the floor that powered the radios, lamps, ECGs and ventilators by their beds. They went round, in turn, pulling out one plug at a time. They had no idea what was plugged in where - it was Russian Roulette with power plugs."

The nurse who discovered the aftermath described it as "like something out of a horror movie."

FULL STORY INSIDE...

Christian Cook was born in 1974 and currently works as a web designer in London. His first novel 'Broken Eggshells - a black comedy in several hues of yellow' was published in 2001 and gained global press attention through the ifoundaduck.com publicity stunt.

Review by Nigel (010602) Rating (8/10)

Review by Nigel
Rating 8/10
The story is about five lifelong friends coming together following one's attempted suicide. They have all been successful in there own ways and are coming to their twilight years wondering what to do next. They all agree that their futures shall be decided over a game of poker and whoever wins will decide for the group on what to do next. Unfortunately, during the game there is an earthquake (as you do) and the next thing they know one has been killed and the other four are in hospital together, not at all well. There then follows a weird game of plug roulette with various bits of medical equipment being unplugged. I won't say anymore about the story as it would spoil it but I think you get the idea... who dies, who lives, who's to blame, and why did they do it?

This is Christian Cook's second published novel (hope that's right) and leaves the madcap comedy of Broken Eggshells behind for a serious story about life, death and the reasons for the bits in between.

Even though this is a serious book I have to mention Matt's Plane/Taxi/Coach journey that is just so funny. Matt is on a plane contemplating his forced journey... he tries to convince himself he is not claustrophobic but just hates travelling with the Joes. What ensues is a brilliant piece of situation comedy that I found hilarious.

The only problem I had with this novel is a minor plot point. I found it hard to believe four intelligent individuals, all successful and independently wealthy, with years of experience, can make a major decision about life and death based on the word of one person following an overheard conversation... all they had to do was ask a doctor! I think even Mr Cook might have had this thought as later in the novel a lot of time is spent justifying just this point.

Accept this though and you have a very well written tale that will have you reading it in one sitting to discover the outcome. This book is a little like a Turner Prize winning piece of art... weird but engrossing.
Nigel (1st June 2002)