Leper

by Steve Thayer

Book Overview

The Leper is a book for our times. Heartbreaking, revealing, apocalyptic. And John Eric Severson is the kind of hero we just don't see in literature anymore, one both very human but undaunted by his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0878392661
• ISBN13: 9780878392667
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud
• Length: 389 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The Leper - one of Steve Thayer's best

Steve Thayer is one of the finest writers around. I have read all of his books and The Leper is one of the best. His research on the topic of leprosy shows throughout the writing. He weaves a spellbinding and surreal plot throughout the book. I especially enjoy his weaving of the characters from Minnesota in all of his books. Being, originally, from Minnesota, I can relate to his characters and plot locations. I highly recommend this book. Both my wife and I could not put this book down. His style of writing is easy to understand and his use of vocabulary is excellent and not overburdening like some authors. I can hardly wait for his next book.

Couldn't put it down

I thought his book was excellent. I had read the book "Molokai" by Alan Brennert (another 5 star book) and found the subject of Leporsy very interesting so I thought I would read this one. "The Leper" did not disappoint. I found it hard to put down and lost hours of sleep reading well into the night. If you like historical fiction that has something to learn with a great story added into the mix then this book is for you. Worth every penny!

Action Packed Historical Novel

This book uses good descriptions to explain the stages of leprosy (Hanson's disease). The stages are portrayed graphically. Action begins in the first chapter and continues throughout the book. Thayer has researched the history of leprosy treatment in the U.S. The reader can feel the fear experienced during the time of this novel. There are many typographical and grammatical errors but the story is worth these inconveniences.

Lost humanity

It is impossible to read the last few chapters of this book without feelling the heartache. Leprosy,or Hansen's disease, may be all but forgotten. What should never be forgotten is how the rights and humanity of those who suffered from it in this country were tread upon. It's no wonder that AIDS sufferers fought ignorance and fear so aggressively in the early years of the AIDS epedemic. They hadn't forgotton history, and refused to be "treated like lepers." This is a heart-rending story of love lost, a life lost, and a struggle to regain dignity. This is a damned good book.

rich historic narrative

This might be Steve Thayer's best historical suspense novel. Readers watch as protagonist John Severson evolves from military officer to schoolteacher to leper. The startling diagnosis and label ruin his promising life in Minnesota, and he lives the next sixty years in secluded colonies in Louisiana and Hawaii. This is the most epic and original of Thayer's work. Much about leprosy is misunderstood and this book attempts to educate as well as entertain. Fans of the author will delight in cameos by characters in his previous bestselling novels.