Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I have to remember that any novel by Cecilia Ahern probably isn't going to be your standard chick-lit. While I would usually get annoyed with magical elements in a seemingly normal novel I think Ahern manages it very well and in this novel, the magic didn't seem in anyway cheesy or unbelievable.
I didn't like the main character. I'm sure this was the point, and maybe we were supposed to grow to love him but I continued to think he was an idiot. I also thought that his big change from egocentric workaholic into balanced family man should have been given more time in the novel. As it was there were a couple of moments with his family and then the novel ended, and I felt as though he hadn't really learnt from his life lesson as much as he could have. Still, enjoyed the book in general.
I didn't like the main character. I'm sure this was the point, and maybe we were supposed to grow to love him but I continued to think he was an idiot. I also thought that his big change from egocentric workaholic into balanced family man should have been given more time in the novel. As it was there were a couple of moments with his family and then the novel ended, and I felt as though he hadn't really learnt from his life lesson as much as he could have. Still, enjoyed the book in general.
Wonderfully insightful novel. really captures the meaning of christmas. makes you reevaluate your priorites
Having just seen parts of her father's biography on RTE (Ireland's National TV station) and it noting that he was quite the absent father, I have to wonder how much of this is wishful thinking on the part of Cecelia Ahern.
It's a story about a boy who throws a semi-frozen turkey through a window who gets told a story about another man. A workaholic who learns lessons about the important things in life and who realises that life is now not tomorrow.
I can see this one splitting it's audience. It's unsubtle in it's message and pretty obvious in it's heart-string tugging. A little too obvious for my tastes, I'm sure other people's mileage may vary.
The packagaing is cute, the ribbon isn't a permanent part of the cover though and as it's usually shrink wrapped the lack of cover details makes it hard to decide what it's all about.
It's a story about a boy who throws a semi-frozen turkey through a window who gets told a story about another man. A workaholic who learns lessons about the important things in life and who realises that life is now not tomorrow.
I can see this one splitting it's audience. It's unsubtle in it's message and pretty obvious in it's heart-string tugging. A little too obvious for my tastes, I'm sure other people's mileage may vary.
The packagaing is cute, the ribbon isn't a permanent part of the cover though and as it's usually shrink wrapped the lack of cover details makes it hard to decide what it's all about.
I have been a huge fan of Cecelia Ahern ever since I read "PS I Love You" around 4-5 years ago. Since then, I have read everything she's written that I could get my hands on and "Samantha Who" was a staple on my DVR. Her stories are so rich and heartfelt. Her characters are real, flawed, and endearing.
The main character, Lou, was such a jerk! So self-centered and puffed up in himself that I should have hated him. Instead, I found myself cheering him on. Rooting for him. Talking to the pages of my book, urging him to do the right thing for once in his life. I won't go into details, because I want you to experience the "gift" for yourself. Although I don't think I'm as lost as Lou was (at least I hope I'm not!) this book taught me a valuable lesson. Time is precious. More precious than any diamond. And how we spend that time is up to us. We can't buy more. We can't save it up in a box for later use. What we have is what we get, and we need to remember that as we choose the things we do with that time. Of course, I already knew this. I just needed to be reminded. Thank you Ms. Ahern for doing just that. Thank you for your "gift".
The main character, Lou, was such a jerk! So self-centered and puffed up in himself that I should have hated him. Instead, I found myself cheering him on. Rooting for him. Talking to the pages of my book, urging him to do the right thing for once in his life. I won't go into details, because I want you to experience the "gift" for yourself. Although I don't think I'm as lost as Lou was (at least I hope I'm not!) this book taught me a valuable lesson. Time is precious. More precious than any diamond. And how we spend that time is up to us. We can't buy more. We can't save it up in a box for later use. What we have is what we get, and we need to remember that as we choose the things we do with that time. Of course, I already knew this. I just needed to be reminded. Thank you Ms. Ahern for doing just that. Thank you for your "gift".
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My Review: One thing that I love most about Cecelia is that she has an incredible talent in deciphering human’s complexities through her writing. Even though she tends to use a roundabout, difficult analogy to explain something, she did that beautifully and I found myself enchanted in the story she built. In The Gift, Cecelia once again brought magical elements into her writing and without doubt, it managed to catch my interest from the very beginning.
The theme behind The Gift is fairly simple. It is a story being told by a policeman to a young felon about another man in town (Lou Suffern), who has just learn his lessons that the most important thing is how you live your life today and not how you plan it to be tomorrow, because sometimes – tomorrow never comes. Lou Suffern is a workaholic who becomes a friend to Gabe, a homeless man. Series of mysterious events occur after they tied their friendship where opportunities after opportunities offered to Lou to spend more time with his family. But as a future driven man, he turned everything down until some heartbreaking events occur, that shake the ground on which he stands. The story pinpoints the preciousness of time and that love and devotion is something that money cannot buy.
From the other reviews I’ve read, I understand that this is not the kind of book that works for everyone. The story might be depressing, sombre, slow and predictable, but in the end, there surely something to be learnt, kept and remembered by everyone. The whole parts in this book contain Christmas miracle cliché but if you devour this during the right time, I’ve no doubt that this could be an enjoyable read.
Final Verdict: A book well worth reading by those who not just enjoy the story spread by the author, but also the messages that she insinuates in between the line.
Memorable Quote: Time is more precious than gold, more precious than diamonds, more precious than oil or any valuable treasures. It is time that we do not have enough of; it is time that causes the war within our hearts, and so we must spend it wisely.
Read more: http://bibliophiles-journal.blogspot.com/2010/03/gift-by-cecelia-ahern.html#ixzz0nvYhyq9T
The theme behind The Gift is fairly simple. It is a story being told by a policeman to a young felon about another man in town (Lou Suffern), who has just learn his lessons that the most important thing is how you live your life today and not how you plan it to be tomorrow, because sometimes – tomorrow never comes. Lou Suffern is a workaholic who becomes a friend to Gabe, a homeless man. Series of mysterious events occur after they tied their friendship where opportunities after opportunities offered to Lou to spend more time with his family. But as a future driven man, he turned everything down until some heartbreaking events occur, that shake the ground on which he stands. The story pinpoints the preciousness of time and that love and devotion is something that money cannot buy.
From the other reviews I’ve read, I understand that this is not the kind of book that works for everyone. The story might be depressing, sombre, slow and predictable, but in the end, there surely something to be learnt, kept and remembered by everyone. The whole parts in this book contain Christmas miracle cliché but if you devour this during the right time, I’ve no doubt that this could be an enjoyable read.
Final Verdict: A book well worth reading by those who not just enjoy the story spread by the author, but also the messages that she insinuates in between the line.
Memorable Quote: Time is more precious than gold, more precious than diamonds, more precious than oil or any valuable treasures. It is time that we do not have enough of; it is time that causes the war within our hearts, and so we must spend it wisely.
Read more: http://bibliophiles-journal.blogspot.com/2010/03/gift-by-cecelia-ahern.html#ixzz0nvYhyq9T
I finished this book within a day. That says a lot about this book, doesn't it? I love it, I love how Cecelia Ahern injected some magical moments into her story,how she depicts how most of us live our everyday lives, climbing up the job ladder and the struggle of keeping family close at the same time. It felt real, the family drama and I am sad at what happens to Lou in the end.
Overall, this is a good read if you're looking for a light but serious story.
Overall, this is a good read if you're looking for a light but serious story.
Not your typical christmas story, but also took me a bit to get used to.
This was a reread for me as I initially purchased upon release. The Gift focuses on Leo and Gabe (who I would assume is a twist on Angel Gabriel) as Leo tries to balance work and life. Leo comes across as a complete tool for about 90% of the book. Gabe as a homeless man has a grounding effect on Leo and gradually his home life gets better. But can he juggle this as well as a promotion? This isn’t my favourite of Cecelia’s books but I do enjoy the Christmassy take on it.