Painless

March 16, 2015
At 17, David Hart has far outlived his life expectancyâhe has CIPA (congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis), which means he is unable to sweat or sense temperature and pain. While David sometimes feels invincible, in reality he's fragile and must closely monitor his body and behavior to avoid injuries or death. Having been abandoned years earlier by his parents, David has been raised by his grandparents, an upbringing that consisted of homeschooling and low-risk activities. After his grandmother is diagnosed with dementia, David's guardian tries to persuade him to move into assisted living, but he's tired of being careful. Encouraged by Luna, his new personal assistant, he makes a bucket list and starts enjoying his life, even though David knows their time togetherâas well as his ownâis limited. Harazin (Blood Brothers) adeptly evokes moments of joy, heartbreak, and introspection, all amplified by David's awareness that he is living on "borrowed time." An ending that dips into melodrama distracts from an otherwise poignant story. Ages 13âup. Agent: Steven Chudney, Chudney Agency.