Viral Dalal

I usually do not give spoilers, but to do this review justice, I must. I enjoyed this book enough that I must tell the highlights of "why". The story centers around Viral Dalal, who was studying in the US, and decides to visit his family in India in 2000. He boards the plane with lavish gifts, and high anticipation of great times. His family was extremely happy to see him. But a day or so later, his life was to be turned upside down. A horrible earthquake destroys the building he and his family are staying in, the tallest building there. Not only that, it creates mass destruction all around. Viral never once lost hope that he would not live. He psyched himself out of hunger, did what he had to do to hydrate, and was rescued. He then turned around, did not want to go to the hospital after 4 days of being trapped underground, and pushed the rescue crew to find his family. Sadly, they did find all the rest of them. Now, it would have been understandable if Viral had just given up and been depressed for the rest of his life, but he constantly reminds the readers throughout the book that all the things that his father taught him made him a strong man. So, as painful as it was, he went back to college, where they were even surprised that he would return. He graduates, goes off to live his life, and a woman named Margie is so impressed by him that she quits her job just to go where he was and meet him. They end up dating and married! Then, Viral tells of how he wanted to go parachuting. Hey, why not? He survived a 7,7 earthquake, so I am sure he felt invincible. He was on the back of the trainer, when suddenly cords became tangled. The instructor told him that there was an issue (I would have had a heart attack at that point, if I hadn't, already), and he would have to move a certain way so he could cut cords. It worked, even though they landed a little hard. This man is very blessed. I was glad to read that he believes in God, and quite often gave God the glory for his success and overcomings. The hardest part of the book to read was the survival part. I had to take days to digest it, even though it is a very easy read, otherwise. The earthquake survival part was very depressing, and I am an empath, so it was like I was reliving it with him. If you can't handle a lot of bad stuff and bad news, skip or take it slowly. I am just happy that the ending was great. When tragedy happens, it is heartbreaking when nothing good comes out of it. There are so many lessons to be learned from this book. It will make a great movie!… (altro)

The Author Viral Dalal tells the story of a fateful trip home to visit family in India in 2000. He was living in the United States and going to school. He boarded the airplane to fly home with such happy dreams of a wonderful visit....gifts for everyone, stories about his education and living in America, just the joy of seeing his parents and family again... But he didn't realize that a 7.7 magnitude earthquake would hit and bury his family in the rubble of a concrete high rise.

Wow. This book is emotional and scary. The author tells the story in detail, adding in memories of his family and their strong bonds with each other. He tells about how he tried for days to dig himself out of the rubble and how the event and its aftermath changed his life.

I had a hard time reading some parts of this book. I had to step away a few times when it got too emotional for me. I can't even imagine going through an event like Viral Dalal survived. Not only did it require physical strength to survive and go on...but extreme mental and spiritual strength, too!

Lovely and very emotional story! I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I'm glad I read it. The story made me appreciate my family and friends SO MUCH. I made sure to message my kids and those close to me to tell them that I appreciate them.

**I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads.com giveaway. My review is voluntary and the free book had no bearing on my opinions. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**… (altro)