Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Breathe: A Ghost Story by Cliff McNish


When he and his mother move into an old farmhouse in the English countryside, asthmatic, twelve-year-old Jack discovers that he can communicate with the ghosts inhabiting the house and inadvertently establishes a relationship with a tormented, malevolent spirit that threatens to destroy both his mother and himself.

Ian, you requested the section where Jack has his worst asthma attack. I'm thinking you mean the climatic one at the end of the book right after the ghost mother has been taken by the Nightmare Passage.

Chapter 25: The Loved Ones
Jack lay on the corridor floor, barely breathing anymore. He was vaguely aware that his mum was there, trying to get his body into a better position--his head being lifted, his back straightened--but he couldn't help her. She left, running to her bedroom, and soon Jack stopped breathing altogether. Sarah returned, vaulting down the stairs, an object in her hand. Nearly unconscious, Jack couldn't focus on what it was. Something small.
Sarah knelt beside him. She raised his head. She pressed the hard plastic and cold metal against his lips. She did not speak except to say. "Come on, Jack. One breath. You need to give me one breath." He tried, but it was beyond him.
Seing that, Sarah forced his slack mouth open with two fingers, thrust the inhaler tube between his teeth, and slapped his face. When that didn't work she slapped him again, as hard as she could. This time Jack gasped out in pain--and drew in a thin quantity of air. Another half breath followed, but it wasn't enough. So Sarah pinched his nostrils tight, put her lips across his and breathed for him. She forced the air inside until Jack's body jerked back--a slight opening of his throat. Quickly, Sarah inserted the inhaler into his mouth. A single dosage of the chemicals, and the pathways in his lungs marginally expanded. Three more ragged gasps and Sarah removed the inhaler. She eased the position of his chest. "Don't talk," she said, when he tried to. "Breathe."
Jack breathed. His mum held him and he breathed.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

what are the names of the three ghost children again?
Because i'm doing a book review on this book and i can't remember the names of the charactors.
thanks...

smaileh said...

There are four ghost children: Ann, Oliver, Charlie and Gwenyth

Anonymous said...

can you type a quote of jacks major asthma attack please i need it pleasee

Anonymous said...

PLEASE HELP I NEED THE QUOTE WITH JACKS WORST ASTHMA ATTACK I LEFT THE BOOK IN SCHOOL

smaileh said...

Oh, Ian, I'm sorry but all of our copies are out right now. Does anyone have a copy of the book handy? Can you help out?

As soon as I can get my hands on a copy I'll look it up, but it may not be in time.

Susan

smaileh said...

Ian--I got hold of the book. The quote is a bit extensive, so I have added it to the main post above. I hope this is the passage you were thinking of. If not, let me know!

Susan

Anonymous said...

i loved this book its awesome beyond belife and i usualy go 4for 5000+ page books this book was da bomb like tick tick
~.poison.~

Anonymous said...

is that the end of the book? or is there more?

Anonymous said...

WHEN DOES THIS TOOK PLACE???? 1960s?? Modern time?? before the civil war??

Anonymous said...

WHEN DOES THIS TOOK PLACE???? 1960s?? Modern time?? before the civil war??

Anonymous said...

So what happens to the family at the end???

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