Kindle Edition Download from Smashwords (eBook) Blog de Alex Canton-Dutari Amazon Category:  Family Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 16 Copyright: April 2011 Price: $0.99 (eBook) A short story depicting the Doc's struggle through the last period of his wife's life.  This is a short story which the author wrote a few years after his wife's death. The story follows the particular style of  Canton-Dutari, showing and telling as well manipulating time. Though it may be described as a "tear jerker," this may be due more to the reader's sensibility than the purpose of the story. There is an element of surprise which is just a writing technique.       Excerpt A loud piercing scream started to awaken the old doctor -- he had begun to call himself old once he became a grandfather. He opened his eyes and searched around his room. It was his room now because they realized that his snoring kept her awake. But this contradictory setting was compensated through making a date when either one would invite the other to spend a few hours together. After, back to his room and snoring. The room seemed as usual; a little moonlight would always sneak in through a small opening in the joining of the curtains. Very soft music was always heard in the background, and it was playing as it should. He sat on his bed and tried to grab his glasses on the night table at his left. But his arms didn't move. The scream became louder. He decided to go back to sleep. But somehow he realized that he was still asleep. A few moments later he woke up and faced the bit of moonlight, the background music, put on his glasses, slid his feet into his slippers and went to his wife's room. She was peacefully sleeping. "I hope this nightmare doesn't repeat itself." He wished out loud; no sound, just silence accompanied by a deep sense of loss.

By Vickie Johnstone
A touching account of the fragility of life July 26, 2011
By Vickie Johnstone
Format:Kindle Edition
This is a sad and touching story with a hint of mystery within it. Themes of love, loss, hope, clarity, distance, realisation, futility, life, family, customs, familiarity, loneliness, ageing, memories and the fragility of things. But also hope. I thought the mood of the book very peaceful as if there is a silent veil over everything and the narrative is moving in a kind of sleepwalk, drifting along, remembering. It seems to echo the fragility of life within the story.

There is a simplicity to the framework, but deceptively simple as something foxed me until everything made total sense in the last sentence. That made the story more interesting for me and made me rethink. There are some painful times recorded here and touching ideas, such as how in the midst of confusion we try to carry on as normal with small things that keep us creatures of habit, but also keep us grounded and secure.

A thoughtful read.

Bu Susan Wells Bennett
A Mosaic of Death July 14, 2011
By Susan Bennett
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Imagine tiny needles in the center of every key on your keyboard, pricking your fingers with each letter you type. Imagine performing open-heart surgery on yourself without the benefit of painkillers. Writing about the death of loved one is more excruciating than either of those imaginings by far. In Her Peaceful Sleep, Alex Canton-Dutari shares the experience of his wife's death with his readers.

This short third-person memoir is almost a mosaic writing: various scenes stitched together to create a whole picture. The timeline is unimportant; the emotions are what matters. Taken as a whole, the picture created is one of a doctor shattered by his inability to help his wife.

Unfortunately, there are a number of small errors in the text, as well as a few ambiguous sentences. Mr. Canton-Dutari is occasionally guilty of showing and telling within the same paragraph, thereby weakening the emotion behind the writing. Additionally, a number of weak phrases and words have found their way into the work.

The author has no interest in revising the work, and I cannot blame him. With this story, he has inspected his soul and found it damaged in a way that only time can repair. However, if you are able to overlook the flaws of the text, you will find the raw emotion of a man who has lost his true love. For that reason alone, it is worth reading.

By Sue Owens
3.0 out of 5 stars Her Peaceful Sleep, May 29, 2011
By Sue Owen - See all my reviews
This review is from: Her Peaceful Sleep ("Doc Series" Book 3) (Kindle Edition)
This is a sweet little story written from an interesting perspective. It deals nicely with a very tough subject: death. The author carries the reader through some of the toughest times imaginable when you love someone. However, it's done with care, reverence and acceptance of the situation. But really, it's the point of view that makes this book.

I did have trouble finding my way through some of the pages. I got completely lost once in the middle of the book and took a few paragraphs to get back on task. I think some more rewriting is in order to bring the tale closer together, maybe shorten the timeline it covers to provide clearer insight.

I did love the story though and will think of it often when need arises. It brings comfort somehow knowing there are others affected besides us humans.