Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $5.66 (65%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Genevieve: Based on a True Story of Pain, Perseverance, and Triumph Kindle Edition

by Mary Laurienti (Author), Jerry Laurienti (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 154 ratings
See all formats and editions
The irony of disease is that it often strikes the right person, not because she deserves to suffer or is unlucky, but because she can endure it. The deeper irony is that she is typically the one person who serves as a source of strength for those around her of lesser fortitude. Genevieve is a historical novel about Genevieve Patrick’s trials with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the death of her unborn child, and her triumph over the disease's damning impact on three generations of family. The novel takes place between 1937 and 1948, traversing Great Depression and World War II events that frame Genevieve’s struggle with MS. The novel is based on a true story and includes short interludes of biographical nonfiction commentary from the author.

When Gen is stricken with MS at age 25—newly married and pregnant—she musters the inner strength to bounce back to near normalcy only to suffer a debilitating MS attack several years later, an event that forces her husband, parents, a sibling, and the Church to fiercely debate and choose the fate of her unborn child. Near death, Gen endures an interstate voyage in the bed of her father’s truck to undergo surgery that ultimately terminates her pregnancy but saves her life. Faced with a multi-year recovery, a strained marriage over the loss of her child, a husband drafted into military service, and the dispersal of her three children with family members, Gen relies on nothing more than her unyielding character to mend literal and figurative wounds, rebuilding her life and the lives of those around her.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    219 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    December 14, 2013
  5. File size
    694 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mary Laurienti lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Pat. They are parents of seven children. Mary spent more than two decades researching and writing this book. Jerry Laurienti lives in Virginia with his wife, Kelly, and their two children. He is Mary's youngest child. Jerry is author of the book The US Military and Human Rights Promotion: Lessons from Latin America.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00EW435B6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mary Laurienti and Jerry Laurienti; 3rd edition (December 14, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 14, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 694 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 219 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 154 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
154 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Pat
5.0 out of 5 stars Hoorah for my mom!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
First I want to say how proud I am of my mother (Mary) to finally have a finished book of her mother's life!!! There are not too many people that can say they wrote a book in their lifetime, many say they will or are, but never manage to complete it. I remember so many cold days on the construction site and mom was in her little office (the front seat of the van or pickup ) depending on what year it was, with the heater on writing numerous notes on notebook paper and only to her did it make any sense or order. My little brother Jerry certainly did a superb job taking all of those endless notes and scribble and making order of them to finally print this awesome life story of my grandma.

I read this book in two sittings and couldn't help my emotions from lol to where Dena would ask what are you laughing about? to holding back tears which in the end was impossible. Being the oldest of mom's seven kids, I can remember the big house and was very close to my grandparents in my early years as we lived next door. There was so much in the book that I could relate to that would make me laugh out loud because i can remember my grandma saying "Mrs. Can't never tried" and how true to life she emulated the message behind that phrase. One of my very close friends from work recently shared with me that he read the book and although he has known me for 20 some odd years, he now understands where I get my never ending drive, my ethics and some of my leadership qualities being a Fire Chief. I thought what an amazing complement my Grandma just received still many years since she left us. It saddened me at the very end when my mom said that we all held onto and lived our Italian heritage more so than our Irish but she should know that we most definitely carry on many traits and attributes from her and her family even though she is not Italian lol. My mom inherited so many of Grandmas qualities, so many more than she knows or gets credit for. I just want to congratulate her and my little brother, oh and lets not forget my dad for the endless hours he put up with mom and her huge box of uncoordinated notes and scribbles and many do not know how much he helped and supported her and pushed her on to make this a reality! I just want the hundreds of people who read this book to know how honored and proud I am to be a part of everyone who made it possible and to be a descendant of those you read about in this amazing tribute to the real life of Genevieve (my Grandma)!

Thanks mom you are the best!
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Mary Crowley
4.0 out of 5 stars Living with Love
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
The story was recommended by a friend and I was happy to read and comment on the strength of character and tanasity of the main characters. The passion of the authors expresses the desire to relate the painful and yet wonderful spirit of the entire family. In my conversation with persons who have lived with MS from a young age, this story is very much the story of persons who have lived with the disease through life. While there have been some progress in the disease management, the life pain and suffering is ongoing. Kudoe's for picking this up and making it available.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Douglas Winslow Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars The Quiet Heroism of A Wonderful Woman
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is an inspiring novelistic treatment of the biography of a remarkable woman who triumphed over her disabling multiple sclerosis. Written by one of her daughters, Mary Laurienti, and one of her grandsons, Jerry Laurienti, it tells of the life-long struggle of a gallant, usually cheerful even playful, woman whose motto was, “Mrs. Can’t Never Tried,” exemplifying to all who knew her what it means to show grace under pressure, through her courageous persistence despite pain and disability. Readers will be impressed and inspired.

Multiple sclerosis [M.S.] strikes about one in a thousand in the USA, twice as many women as men [suggesting a connection to the X chromosome]. This auto-immune malfunction ranges in severity from occasional annoyances to full-fledged quadriplegia, the condition my own wife has endured these past ten years. On the average it shortens life an estimated half-dozen years. The most common type, the relapsing-remitting version that Genevieve battled, can cause its victims to become bedridden, but often they can recover partly over months or years, as she did. As we get older, we are more and more likely to know someone with multiple sclerosis, although a minority choose to hide it, rather than risk adverse consequences in the workplace.

The marriage of this heroine and her husband survives the stress of her severe disability and of separation due to his difficulties finding work during the Depression and World War II. Genevieve’s determination to preserve their union is matched by Martin’s, and the novelists make clear that he is much to be admired, too. Without her extended family’s help, particularly the care of Genevieve and of the children, her survival and flourishing would have been nearly impossible.

Actual writings of the people on whom the story is based are included and the authors add an epilogue telling the reader how several main “characters” fared after the period covered by the book. The novel format allowed use of descriptions and dialogue that could not reliably be claimed to have been remembered.

Interesting, informative, inspiring, this story is well worth reading. The authors deserve our thanks for this tribute to an extraordinary woman and her fine family.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kathleen T. DeShong
3.0 out of 5 stars and slow paced novel based on the sad situation of the author's Mother
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2015
Verified Purchase
"Genevieve: Based on a true story of pain, perseverance and triumph" by Mary Laurienti was a predictable, and slow paced novel based on the sad situation of the author's Mother, Gen. It was sad and she made the best of her plight, but it still was slow. It's difficult to write about something exciting when Gen is living in her own hell and making the best of it. I have friends with MS and it is an insidious disease but they experience their exacerbations and remissions and keep persevering on.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

elizabeth
4.0 out of 5 stars Makes you realize that life is sometimes not fair but ...
Reviewed in Canada on September 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
Makes you realize that life is sometimes not fair but with the help of the Lord you can face these giants.
Report
Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars great read i loved it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book is well worth reading what a lady she must have been to go through what she did and to bring up her family will not spoil it for you I would recommend it I got it free so if you don't like it you have not wasted any money .....but I don't think you will regret reading this book
Report
Maire Ui Bhroin
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2015
Verified Purchase
Lovely story
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report