Meet Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak: one buried under the wrong name, one in a coma and being cared for by the wrong family.
This shocking case of mistaken identity stunned the country and made national news. Would it destroy a family? Shatter their faith? Push two families into bitterness, resentment, and guilt?
Read this unprecedented story of two traumatized families who describe their ordeal and explore the bond sustaining and uniting them as they deal with their bizarre reversal of life lost and life found.
And join Whitney Cerak, the sole surviving student, as she comes to terms with her new identity, forever altered, yet on the brink of new beginnings.
Mistaken Identity weaves a complex tale of honesty, vulnerability, loss, hope, faith, and love in the face of one of the strangest twists of circumstances imaginable.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
good book:
This is a great book filled with tears and smiles. A great story; however, if you don't like books that talk about God constantly, I would not recommend it.
Heart-grabbing read:
I had heard this story and wondered how something so bizarre could have happened. After reading the book, I have a better understanding. The Ceraks didn't identify the body that officials claimed was Whitney. They wanted to remember her as they'd last seen her. Laura's pocketbook was found beside the survivor, and her face was swollen and bruised. As she emerged from the coma, her initial responses to the family certainly indicated she was Laura. She knew family members and friends (the girls did not really... more info
Excellent Seen On Oprah. Page Turner.:
This book is a real page turner. When I saw the show on Oprah I could not imagine that a family would not recognize their own child or sister.
When you see how similar the girls are in appearance, you will be amazed!
I think the part that effected me most was when the girl wrote fake parents and Whitney on paper. They thought she was their daughter Laura!
Just imagine how dreadful it was for both families.
Amazing Testament of Faith!:
This was one of the most amazing books that I have read in my life. It was a true testament of faith! I was inspired by both families. It was so beautiful that the Cerak's were able to relate to the Van Ryn's after discovering that the daughter that they grieved for was still alive. I think that most people would be a little angry, but the Cerak's and the Van Ryn's both showed so much compassion towards each other. I loved that the families shared their intimate prayers. I think that Whitney is an amazing... more info