What if you could heal the sick, just with the touch of a hand? Would people allow you any peace? Would you be mobbed? Suppose you wanted a normal life? Sure, you want to help people, but you don't want to be Elvis, or get mistaken for the Second Coming. How do you cope? What do you do?
Size: 187 KB (33,783 words)
Genre: Fantasy
Sex Contents: Some Sex
Tags: Ma/Fa, Consensual, Romantic, Heterosexual, Fiction
Review by Quasirandom [other reviews by Quasirandom]
Reviewed: - (Review Updated: )
The most satisfying science fiction, I’ve always found, focuses on the personal — on the effects the premise has on the characters’ lives, for good or ill. “Healer” is one of those types of stories, and it’s a good one.
A young man suddenly, by unknown means, acquired the ability to heal people. Justifiably worried about who might try to take control of his life and freedom if this is discovered, he takes to the road and to calling himself John Healer, and anonymously visits hospitals to cure as many patients as possible before vanishing again. Despite his efforts at disguise, after a couple years he’s finally caught by Carolyn, a night-duty nurse in an intensive care unit.
I’m not going to spoil anything, but the costs of his power are explored in several directions, and some of the costs are high indeed. John and Carolyn face them with bravery, however, and despite everything the resolution is satisfying. Highly recommended.
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