A White Wind Blew: A Novel

In flashbacks of his childhood, we know that Wolfgang's family was devoted to music and the arts, since the his naming and music played a part in his life when Rose was still alive through their short courtship and marriage before death had taken her too. When studying both religion and medicine, music was always there is the background for Wolfgang as something that was also a calling to him, though not as strong as the need to heal the body and human spirit. When he realizes that he can draw on all three of his passions and use music as part of the treatment for the dying, even though he is told not to pursue this music, Wolfgang unites a group anyway believing that this is the best way to treat the human spirit.

Performing their concert in secret outside Waverly Hills, the music drifted on the winds, past the colored hospital at the foot of the hill and carried on the invisible fingers of the wind into the towns where those still healthy were hearing the song. While most of the audience was sickened or insane from their confinement in the hospital, even they seemed to be soothed by the healing of music as the group played. Seen on several ghost hunting and history programs, the real Waverly Hills, which stands as a historic site that still allows tours and the occasional television show to tape a ghost hunting episode such as Ghost Hunters which featured two Halloween evening live streams of exploring through the hospital, especially room , which seems to have activity and in the book is one of the spots where Maverly likes to cry from the windows overlooking the sections of screened in porches where the patients would sit outside or the children that were living in the lower levels of the building would play outside or on their porch.

Ghost shows have claimed to see specters on the prowl in the hallways written about in the novel, to hear disembodied voices, and to have seen on an episode of Ghost Hunters a table overturn itself when being asked some questions. The shows also explored the true "Death Tunnel" which went under the hospital for discreet corpse disposal. With the amount of bodies being brought through many times a day, some shows claim to hear voices in the tunnel as well.

Tours of Waverly Hills, can be arranged on its official website, making the most of its ghost and historic lore. Wolfgang Pike was not always able to save through medicine and faith alone, but the combination of bringing music to those that were suffering was his own gift that provided the comfort they wouldn't have found otherwise. Using another historic event, the great tuberculosis outbreak as a backdrop and an actual historic place that still stands today and is available for historic and ghost tours, A White Wind Blew is very much like most of Markert's works but stands alone for being almost more powerful than his other writing, which all has a religious theme.

While he is never blamed for those that he couldn't save, Wolfgang still feels guilt weighing on him and has a hard time seeing the good he is doing for those that he can touch through the music. A beautiful novel based on a terrible time in history, A White Wind Blew is a powerful read that is truly inspirational. Sign in or sign up and post using a HubPages Network account. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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To provide a better website experience, owlcation. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so. For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: Book Summary Updated on June 23, Maverly From Waverly Filled with dying patients, some already suffering from other aliments and mental illness before the influx of the epidemic, Wolfgang has many notable characters he encounters in his daily rounds, including an eccentric woman yelling from the windows, as she is Maverly from Waverly, a man only known as Herman who becomes violent and screams, refusing to come from his bed to use the bathroom or to receive meals in the bleak yet cheerfully decorated dining area to take the patients minds off death.

Eventually, Wolfgang is even able to stage a secret concert. In a sense, I didn't want to know too much about modern music therapy because Wolfgang was learning to stumble through it on his own, so I think it made it more true to his character. Can you clarify the difference between music therapy now and back in the 's? I think the biggest difference was in the detail and specialization. Perhaps back in the 's and I may be simplifying it here it was more of just playing music for the patient, while now, therapists are professionally trained.

They specifically design their music therapy sessions to an individual's needs, with ages ranging from infants to the elderly. And now music therapists work in hospitals, drug and alcohol clinics, nursing homes, hospice programs, halfway houses, schools, prisons, and the list goes on. Hopefully this is a profession that will continue to grow, and if my novel can help bring focus to it in any way I'm honored.

What role does music play in your life? In what way, if any, has that changed since writing this book? I have to have music. I love listening to live music of any kind and going to big concerts with my wife. I've never played an instrument but I grew up in a very music-oriented family.

My kids listen to my music. They're 8 and 4, but they sing the songs in the car right along with me. Writing A White Wind Blew has given me more of an appreciation for classical music. There's so much history there, and I had a fun time researching it. I knew that I wanted Mozart in the book. He helped make the decisions on what musical pieces would go the best at certain parts of the book, as well as what pieces would work best with the instruments available in the book--namely the piano, violin, and flute. What do you think your readers should know about the profession of music therapy?

That it's a real profession, and a very important one. And that it takes a special talent to be able to play the music AND have that bedside manner required to connect with patients. My sister-in-law Jenny is a music therapist and she's great at what she does.

Keep doing what you do. We've all heard the phrase--turn that frown upside down. If only he could have lived on a few more chapters… I received this book via goodreads and cannot express the appreciation I feel for the chance to read such a masterful writing. View all 4 comments. Oct 21, Cheryl A rated it really liked it Shelves: Set at Waverly Hills Sanatorium, outside Louisville, Kentucky during the 's, this novel tells the story of one man who is trying to find his place in the world.

Dr Wolfgang Pike has spent the last few years at Waverly, helping to fight tuberculosis. In a place where people are dying daily, Dr Pike is blending faith, medicine and music together to ease the suffering and give patients hope. Louisville had the highest national infection rate of TB during the 's and Waverly Hills was a real h Set at Waverly Hills Sanatorium, outside Louisville, Kentucky during the 's, this novel tells the story of one man who is trying to find his place in the world.

Louisville had the highest national infection rate of TB during the 's and Waverly Hills was a real hospital. The author gives a wonderful overview of the treatment of the disease as well as intergrating the cultural aspects of the time into his story. Bootlegging, racial prejudice and WWI all play a part in the novel. The novel focuses on Dr Pike and the author has created a complex character who is trying to balance his faith, his grief for his dead wife and his belief that music helps those who are suffering.

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When a new patient arrives who is a musician as well as a pain the rear, Dr Pike is challenged on his inability to committ to either his music or his faith. This was a quick, engaging read. The author did a wonderful job of bringing the fictional characters to life while respectfully paying homage to the work done at the hospital during its heyday. The characters are flawed and honest, the situations bleak, yet often heartwarming. This is a book about a widowed doctor priest in training musician who's treating patients at Waverly Hills.

I feel like all of those things should be said in one quick breath, so sorry about the bad grammar. It was, overall, a pretty good book. There were some things that I would change but sadly I can't really identify what those are? I don't even really know what to say in this review. I actually thought about stopping to read something else, but I didn't particularly want to stop reading it, This is a book about a widowed doctor priest in training musician who's treating patients at Waverly Hills.

I actually thought about stopping to read something else, but I didn't particularly want to stop reading it, either. Apr 18, Michaella Gibney rated it it was amazing. I hadn't picked up a book in years but when I got a hold of this one I couldn't put it down! Such tragedy and love. I recently went on a tour of Waverly Hills inspired after reading the book. Wow, I felt like I could see all the characters there - what it would have been like.

Nov 03, Mary rated it it was amazing. Author James Markert, was able to combine a love story,music,medical information and insight concerning patients at Waverly Tuberculosis Sanatorium. He also developed a character who happened to be a doctor studying for the priesthood. All this occurred during the time of prohibition and racial unrest.

Believe me, it was quite and interesting story. View all 3 comments. Mar 27, Moana Carter rated it liked it Shelves: Even though this book is historical fiction, it is not hard to imagine the story actually happening. It is set in the city where I currently live and the author name drops a lot of sites that one should visit if ever in town.

The story neatly ties local history to national history by touching on Prohibition, Al Capone and race relations. Mar 05, Amy rated it it was amazing. A warmest welcome to all of our readers today as we discuss our MomAdvice Book Club pick for the month of March. I am particularly honored to have James Markert sharing his own thoughts on his book with us and I hope you will find his answers as fascinating as I have! Tuberculosis and how this illness affects its patients, and those that love them, are often the central focus of this book.

After I finished reading this and then reading the historical notes about Waverly Place, I immediately wen A warmest welcome to all of our readers today as we discuss our MomAdvice Book Club pick for the month of March. After I finished reading this and then reading the historical notes about Waverly Place, I immediately went in search of more information about the illness and the backdrop for this book. Although the book goes into great detail of symptoms of TB and what the patients experience, it does not delve into why people have it because, in this time period of the book, people do not know how to cure it or why it lies dormant in some, while killing others.

Tuberculosis, is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. As we are able to read in this book, treatment for progressive cases often included removing ribs to help the lungs and all patients were encouraged to get as much fresh air as possible, even in wintery weather conditions, because fresh air was believed to help cure this illness.

Delving into the book, we have an unlikely band of friends that have gathered together to create an orchestra who are working together to perform a concert. I love how the author pulls together these unlikely people and then, oftentimes, paints a very different portrait of what we expect them to be like and then tells us the true story of who they are when we dive further into the book. McVain, who begins the novel as an unlikeable bully, later delves into his story of his true wartime injury and the unlikely love he discovered.

Herman, when given a little love and attention from Susannah, steals the show with his beautiful voice. And, one of the most pivotal moments for Wolfgang, is when he finds out the death of his father is very different than his childhood interpretation of what really happened. I loved this book from start to finish. Although the book is filled with death and disease, it offered a surprising amount of hopefulness in it.

There is so much love and beauty as the patients join forces to complete and perform the requiem and the beauty of these unlikely friendships and loved is solidified because they are all battling this same fight. Read our interview with James Markert here. Waverly Hills Sanatorium has always fascinated me, from the time I first saw it on "Ghost Hunters" years ago. Though many know the former TB hospital as one of the most haunted places in America, the building has a history that is second to none.

The frontline in the battle against TB in the early 's, its doctors fought like generals to heal patients of what was known as the White Death. I can only imagine what it was like back then - James Markert does an excellent job of making the readers Waverly Hills Sanatorium has always fascinated me, from the time I first saw it on "Ghost Hunters" years ago. I can only imagine what it was like back then - James Markert does an excellent job of making the readers feel like they are there in "A White Wind Blew. Wolfgang Pike does his level best to save as many patients as possible, both with medicine and with music, all while dealing with his wife's death.

If that weren't stressful enough, his plans to resume his path to priesthood collide with his feelings toward a Waverly nurse, and a resident doctor's battle to stop a concert Wolf believes may very well may be keeping patients alive, in addition to battling the KKK over his intent to have both black and white patients play together. Throughout this dramatic story of life, death, right and wrong, Waverly Hills provides a dramatic setting, as I'm sure she did back on the day. Though stories of the suicidal nurse, the eyeless homeless man and his dog, shadow people, and the Creeper dominate the tour, the building still whispers the hope that I'm sure patients felt crossing her threshold back in the day.

Markert did a great job of reminding g us of that hope with this story. May 05, Tima rated it it was ok Shelves: Pike is a widower, a doctor at Waverly Hills, and an aspiring priest. He's also a musician who believes in the power of music to heal the soul.

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And if the soul is at peace, the body can begin healing as well. So he tries to fulfill every request for music he receives despite the appalling conditions and resistance he receives from his boss. Death, racism, love, and the effects of war are only a few of the touchy subjects contained in this book. The story flows along, like a slow moving stre Dr. The story flows along, like a slow moving stream. It contains some insightful views into a world most of us will never experience. Its redemptive story is refreshing and depressing at the same time.

I can't say that I enjoyed this story as much as I thought I would. But based on the subject and writing style, I can definitely see this book becoming a best seller. It just isn't my style and took my quite some time to get through it. But if thought provoking and reflective writing is your thing, then definitely read this book.

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I received this book free of charge from Sourcebooks in exchange for my honest review. Nov 01, Jennifer Bowers rated it really liked it. Did you know there was a huge epidemic in this country between the two world wars? And it wasn't influenza -- it was tuberculosis! This disease wiped out whole families in the days before antibiotics, and most patients were confined to sanatoriums where the treatments were mostly palliative, not curative. They tried some treatments, such as deflating lungs, removing ribs, and exposing them to lots of fresh air, but there was really no cure.

Some did recover, but most died. This book takes place i Did you know there was a huge epidemic in this country between the two world wars? This book takes place in such a sanatorium in Waverly Hills near Louisville, KY, was state of the art for its time it really existed although the story is fictional. Today the site is considered one of the most haunted places in America, popular with ghost-hunters! The music transforms the institution in a day when such "alternative" therapies were considered foolishness -- and therein lies some of the story's conflict.

Jul 10, Robin O'Brien rated it it was amazing. I enjoyed this book tremendously. I have lived in Louisville, KY for 11 years now. I knew of Waverly Hills as a former sanatarium for TB patients during the epidemic in the early 's. I also have known it as a haunted tour destination for those who like this type of thing during the Holloween season. This book showed me the real life terror of this disease here in Louisville and why Waverly Hills exsisted along with a separate hospital on the same grounds that served the black race. I apprec I enjoyed this book tremendously.

I appreciate this local authors' piece of fiction that mixes true facts with an interesting fictional story. For all those who live in Louisville I also think they will enjoy all the specific refences to various locations they know within the city that still exsist today. Aug 16, Mary rated it liked it Shelves: Wolfgang Pike, a widower, a musician and an aspiring priest, practices at the best and largest TB sanitarium in the country in the s when fresh air, removing ribs and deflating lungs were the best treatments for the White Death. A central conflict in the novel is between Wolfgang's love interests and his vocation for the priesthood.

Wolfgang is much beloved as a religious as well as a doctor to the patients. He introduces music as a therapy. Both Prohibition and the Klan Play a role in t Dr. Not a bad book for the Nook Free Friday selection. Sep 01, Valerie rated it it was amazing. This book stirred a lot of emotions in me, which is important in something I read, to be moved. I got lost in the early 's with the folk that were brought together by a terrible sickness. A sickness that didn't care the color of ones skin or where you came from.



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Out of this unlikely bunch that were brought together friendships developed that lasted a lifetime, however how long or short that was. In a time before antibiotics and a cure there was hope through the magical healing of music and frien This book stirred a lot of emotions in me, which is important in something I read, to be moved. In a time before antibiotics and a cure there was hope through the magical healing of music and friends. This is a nice book. There's really nothing that I thought was outstanding. There were no major plot twists most of the twists were easily predicted There was 'drama' but nothing too out of the ordinary.