47 pages 1 hour read

Joe Siple

The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 40-49Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 40 Summary

Content Warning: This section contains discussion of suicide and child death. 

A doctor tells Murray that Jason is second on the heart transplant list, but he could still have to wait months. Murray tries to convince the doctor to take his heart and give it to Jason, but the doctor points out that heart donors have to be dead. Murray realizes that he has not taken his pill that day. He resolves not to: He will die so his heart can go to Jason. He writes a note explaining his intentions and puts it in his pocket. His lungs start to feel worse. Murray drifts off to sleep in a chair next to Jason’s bed, comforted by the presence of Anna, Collins, Della, and Tiegan. He is happy with his choice to sacrifice himself, and he looks forward to seeing Jenny and his sons again.

Chapter 41 Summary

When Murray wakes, he is not in heaven; he is still in the hospital room with Anna, Collins, Della, Tiegan, and the doctor. The doctor gently scolds Murray for what he did and reminds him that he is in a hospital full of doctors who are obligated to save his life. Anna is upset with Murray but knows that he was trying to help Jason.