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| Somewhere in Heaven: The Remarkable Love Story of Dana and Christopher Reeve | 
 enlarge | Author: Christopher Andersen
Publisher: Hyperion
Category: Book
List Price: $23.95
Buy Used: $2.88
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Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 52160
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1
ISBN: 1401323022
Dewey Decimal Number: 791.430280922
EAN: 9781401323028
ASIN: 1401323022
Publication Date: July 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Recycled Library Edition
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Product Description
"Dana is my life force."
--Christopher Reeve "A terrible thing happened. I wish it hadn't. But would I change who I married? Never."
--Dana Reeve He was a hero in every sense of the word--the chiseled-from-granite star of four blockbuster Superman films and the romantic classic Somewhere in Time who, after being paralyzed in a freak horseback riding accident, became a symbol of hope for millions. Dana Reeve was no less heroic, standing steadfastly by her husband's side until his surprisingly sudden and unexpected death at age fifty-two. When Dana, a non-smoker, passed away from lung cancer just seventeen months after Chris's death, she left behind their thirteen-year-old son, Will, to be raised by friends and family. Dana was only forty-four years old. That fate could have dealt such a cruel hand to this golden couple seemed unfathomable. That they could endure it all with grace, courage, and humor defied belief. Yet for all the millions of words that have been written about their public causes and private struggles following Chris's accident, little is known about the lives they led as passionate young lovers. Now, in the manner of his poignant-yet-stirring bestsellers Jack and Jackie, Jackie After Jack, An Affair to Remember, The Day Diana Died, After Diana, and The Day John Died, No. l New York Times bestselling author Christopher Andersen draws on those who knew them best to examine in touching detail the Reeves' unique partnership and the romance, faith, and fortitude that defined it. Sometimes heartbreaking, often uplifting, always compelling, Somewhere in Heaven is more than just a portrait of a marriage. It is the profoundly human story of two souls whose brief lives made a difference, a bittersweet saga of tragedy, triumph, and loss, and--above all else--a love story for the ages.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Touching and moving July 8, 2008
75 out of 79 found this review helpful
I have just finished reading Somewhere in Heaven, The Remarkable Love Story of Dana and Christopher Reeve, written by Christopher Andersen. I did not think that I could feel such sadness for this couple, but from the opening lines, I found myself actually crying as I read and pretty well continued doing so until the end of the book.
Although I thought Christopher Reeve was a good actor, I never really followed his career or his life. Of course, I was shocked by his tragic accident, but it wasn't until I heard about the death of his wife Dana that I clued in that maybe there was more to this family than I had originally thought.
When I was given the chance to read this book, I jumped on it. From the opening pages, which described the last few hours of Chris' life, I immediately feel in love with this couple. After a brief description of Dana and Chris' childhoods, the author details, for us, their romantic and beautiful courtship as well as the birth of their son Will. I just loved the way these two people looked across a crowded room and just `found each other' - it was so perfect. All I kept thinking, as I read, was how lucky they were to find each other.
However, as it seems to be with this couple, tragedy was never far away - apparently just about to strike. Most of us are, by now, quite familiar with the horrible riding accident Chris Reeve was involved in shortly after the birth of his child, in 1995. Although I was familiar with some of it, this book details the struggles that Dana had to go through to prevent Chris' mother from asking the doctors to remove him from the ventilator. From the moment Dana found out about the accident, she was determined to be there for her husband and it is apparent that she fulfilled this desire and became, in many ways, his `Superwomen' when he needed her most. I loved reading about her strength and her conviction that the man she loved, would come out of this somehow. How lucky Chris was to have picked this woman to be his wife.
Chris and Dana truly showed the world that love can conquer all. They became activists and dedicated their lives to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries and through it all, you felt the intense love these two people had for each other. Just writing this, I feel as though I am going to cry again.
Tragedy would strike again and again as Chris would suddenly die of a massive heart attack followed shortly by Dana's mother death and finally the biggest blow of all - the diagnosis that would tell Dana that she was dying of lung cancer. How much can one family take? Throughout all her fear, pain and sadness, Dana continued to champion on - and focused on her son and keeping Chris' message alive.
Dana would eventually die of her disease, but in the wake of all the pain, this beautiful couple has left me in awe of their courage and strength. I applaud them and am truly inspired by their spirit.
This book captures all of the events of their lives and is told in beautiful prose. You never feel as though you are intruding on their privacy, but rather as though you are asked to share in the joys and in the sorrows.
The author did a wonderful job of writing a story that must have been emotionally draining to write, but it was also a story that needed to be told.
Although the ending is tragic, the journey is beautiful. I suggest you get this book and find out just how strong the power of love is.
 Heart-breaking tale of hope, inspiration and love July 13, 2008
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
Christopher Reeve became the world's Superman, but his real-life struggle with spinal cord paralysis showed a strength far surpassing the comic book hero's, present both in him and his wife, Dana. Their stories, from their time of meeting to their reunion in heaven are eloquently recalled in Christopher Andersen's Somewhere in Heaven.
This heart-breaking recollection of one of the most beautiful relationships to see Hollywood collects the family's best and worst times, from Christopher's first sight of his future wife to the horse accident that left him paralyzed. Their story, dotted with emotionally shattering moments, was one of true love and trust, as Dana took the full-time role of caregiver to her disabled actor husband, who, from his first awakening post-accident to his very last breath, felt the hardship of raising a family without the ability to physically interact with his and Dana's son, Will. But through their hardships and struggles came hope and inspiration, as their constant lobbying for stem cell research brought spinal cord paralysis to its highest awareness and amazing breakthroughs, often in Reeve himself.
Upon Reeve's devastating death, Dana continued her husband's inspirational endeavours until stage-4 lung cancer reunited her with her husband less than two years later. However, son Will and Christopher's children with actress Gae Exton, Matthew and Alexandra, continue their parents' motivational work to raise awareness for spinal cord paralysis through the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. And it is through them, as well as the timeless works Christopher and Dana left behind, that they will live on in the hearts of millions. An absolutely beautiful, tear-jerking read that should be on every bookshelf.
- T.C. Robson
Somewhere in Heaven July 16, 2008
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
Christopher Andersen's sensitively written and touching portrait of Christopher and Dana Reeve in life and death--"Somewhere in Heaven''--beautifully describes what Larry King called "... two unforgettable profiles in courage." The poignancy of their struggle and the monumental solidity of their life together is underscored by their own words. Chris Reeve: "Real love, and the ability to love somebody as damaged as I was, that is a very rare and precious thing." Dana Reeve: "I didn't fall in love with Superman. I fell in love with a super man." This was not only an amazing marriage, but a true partnership to the very end. Sure to hit an emotional chord, "Somewhere in Heaven" is equally thoughtful and insightful--in short, a super read.
A truly inspiring couple July 17, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This book was a very emotional read. It was written so well that I felt like I got to know Chris and Dana on a much more personal level. I would like to quote what a neighbor observed about what Chris and Dana did for their son Will. "Fortunately", observed family friend John Bedford Lloyd, Chris and Dana "gave Will exactly what he will need-the gift of bravery and grace." I strongly recommend this book to everyone. :)
Catching The Curveballs Life Throws At You August 1, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
You didn't hear your alarm clock. The kids have trashed their room again. The guy messed up your latte order. You were late to work because of traffic.
If you think the above are anything like your own problems, read this book. You will get a crystal clear picture not only of what real problems are, but you will be awestruck at how these two people decided that life - and its curve balls - would not get them down.
The book delves briefly into the backstories of this famous couple, but not enough to get bogged down. As I read it, I said to myself "good grief, what NEXT for these people?" over and over again. In the space of just over a year, Christopher Reeve dies after years of paralysis, Dana Reeve's mother dies, her father has a stroke, and she is diagnosed with lung cancer. This book is a testament to what true love - not to mention true faith - can do.
Andersen writes in a style that makes the reader almost feel like a houseguest of the Reeve's. I finished the book almost in one sitting, and at the risk of sounding Hallmark-y, it really opened my eyes as to how blessed in many ways I really am.
An amazing story of courage, determination, love, and tragedy.
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