Title: The Illusion is Not the Conclusion
Author: Paulette Ravenel -Woodside
Publisher: Urlink Print & Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1647536558
Pages: 112
Genre: Memoir
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
Hollywood Book Reviews
The Illusion is Not the Conclusion is an inspiring story about Paulette Ravenel-Woodside’s fight against breast cancer. This text will help many readers.
The Illusion is Not the Conclusion tells the story of how Ravenel-Woodside coped with her diagnosis of breast cancer. Throughout her battle, she leaned on her Christian faith to help her survive the disease. Ravenel-Woodside writes eloquently about how she trusted in God through her trials. She often asked herself, “Will I trust You, Lord, or will I trust the situation?”
She also drew inspiration from the Biblical example of Job who came through many trials: “Will I take the example of Job?” Ravenel-Woodside also took strength from Bible verses through her recovery from numerous surgeries: “The joy of the Lord is my strength; no weapon formed against me shall prosper!” She also has a chapter that lists a series of Bible verses that helped her like Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Ravenel-Woodside writes boldly about how she found strength in her faith and even inspired other nurses while she was still in the hospital. Her unwavering faith is exceptional even when her breast cancer returns. She still perseveres through her numerous health challenges.
She also writes in The Illusion is Not the Conclusion about how she combined her trust of doctors with her faith and use of holistic medicine to help her heal. In addition to writing about her faith, she also writes about how her family helped support her through her breast cancer surgeries. The pictures at the end of the text add more depth to the text as well.
The Illusion is Not the Conclusion would be best for readers who are spiritual and are surviving troubling situations. The book would also be appropriate for readers who are cancer survivors and need extra inspiration. Even readers who aren’t religious will be awed by Ravenel-Woodside’s optimism. The title of the book is a true statement. The Illusion is Not the Conclusion is a perfect summary of her belief that getting cancer won’t defeat her spirit. This text proves that through a combination of precise science and dedicated faith, anything is possible. Ravenel-Woodside has written an unforgettable memoir.