By His Own Blood
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
Doc Montandon was subjected to unnecessary exploratory surgery and was transfused with bad blood. To make matters worse, the incident was covered up and the gentle Texas farmer was not apprised of his condition. After he began suffering from the symptoms of AIDS, he was refused admittance and help from the same hospital where the deed was perpetrated. This International Book Award winner is the story of a family growing up on a small farm, and the positive influence a father had in shaping his son's life. It's also the story about prejudices that affected everyone growing up in rural Texas in the 50's and 60's.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This sincere, gentle memoir documents the unfortunate story of the death of the author's beloved father, Doc Montandon, an elderly Texas farmer infected with HIV via a blood transfusion in 1985, when testing was rare, public policy unformulated, and public perception of the disease fearful and linked almost entirely to homosexuality. The bulk of Montandon's book is neither medical nor legal drama but rather simple family stories about growing up on a farm, told in straightforward prose that emphasizes Doc's virtues. Montandon's depiction of his family throughout his life and during his father's death is understated and told with dignity and grace. And in this more than in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS the book succeeds as a heartwarming bit of rural Americana and a loving story of a mostly unremarkable life.
