Readers of Mitch Albom's Tuesdays With Morrie will resonate with this offering from independent publisher Mapletree Publishing. The author, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tells a tender story of faith, courage and ultimate redemption.

"Walter" is Walter Schifter, who has lived a vibrant life with his wife Lillian, enjoying success as an entrepreneur. When he is one day diagnosed with prostate cancer, Walter sees nothing but darkness ahead. The pain is unbearable, and he is even considering suicide. But then he discovers Hospice, and puts himself into their caring hands. The experience is a life changer for him.

The author is a reporter for the Arizona newspaper The Daily News-Sun. When her editor offers her staff the opportunity to interview Walter, who had written to the paper about his situation, RuthAnn accepts the assignment. Little does she know that for her, too, the experience would be life-changing.

Her hours spent with Walter cause RuthAnn to take a new look at her own life. A member of the Church from birth, but lately inactive and not much interested in renewing her activity, she is also estranged from her husband. Her life seems to be in a holding-pattern. But her interaction, not just with Walter, but with others involved in Hospice, helps her to refocus her life and ultimately brings her some peace.

We learn much about Walter as the story winds on. His law school education (although he has never chosen to practice), his world travels, his conversion from Judaism to the Unitarian Universalist faith, his love for Fiddler on the Roof, all work together to pain a picture of a man who has lived life to the full, and is now facing the end of that life.

Interesting characters populate the book: Fr. Tom Xanthos, the Hospice chaplain, is skilled in communicating with the dying. Through his words, RuthAnn sees her own spiritual dying. We learn about Jason, a broadcast journalist, in whom RuthAnn finds a soul mate. There's even a born-again nurse who tries to bring Walter to Jesus, much to the consternation of his wife. And there are others, of course, who fill out the story.

Goodbye, Walter works on many levels. It is primarily the story of a man who has learned to both live and die with dignity. But it is also a story of a reporter who enters fully into the experience of a dying man, learning so many life lessons. And, on an important level, it speaks to the importance of Hospice and the valuable work they all do. The author offers resources at the back of the book for dealing with death and dying.

Readers interested in the unique needs of those facing death will really enjoy this book. Although I don't know that "enjoy" is the right word. Perhaps I should say they will be informed and moved by Hogue's memoir.

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Jeff Needle
December 20, 2005