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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't mind a light chick-lit read every once in a while, and I have enjoyed Ahern's other novels. Unfortunately, this book was fairly terrible and was nothing like her other books. The characters aren't well-established (or very likeable), the message is cliche and overly explained to the reader, and the plot "twist" is a bit murky and unsurprising - not to mention all the loose ends. Also - you can't make it a "secret" that a character is really a guardian angel, and then name him Gabriel.
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't often read "chic lit" but chose this for our book club to read for our December novel as it appeared on my Amazon recommendations. With that in mind, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it and was very pleasantly surprised not only by the novel itself but by the ending (which I won't spoil here).
In her main character Lou Suffern, Ahern creates a protagonist that is difficult to empathise with at the same time as he is very easy to understand. A driven, work is priority while his family suffers at home man is not the first choice when it comes to a "hero" for the reader to root for. However, by the end of the book not only was I rooting for him, I was convinced by his transformation, introduced through the character of Gabe.
I think Ahern uses Gabe well, there's always an element of doubt about whether he's a real person, whether he's been sent there ala "A Wonderful Life" to show Lou what life would be/could be like or whether he's there with a nefarious purpose in mind.
With the central premise that time is precious and something that can never be reclaimed, Ahern gives us a somewhat updated twist on Dicken's A Christmas Carol which is perfect for the season, even if it ends with a bittersweet note.
In her main character Lou Suffern, Ahern creates a protagonist that is difficult to empathise with at the same time as he is very easy to understand. A driven, work is priority while his family suffers at home man is not the first choice when it comes to a "hero" for the reader to root for. However, by the end of the book not only was I rooting for him, I was convinced by his transformation, introduced through the character of Gabe.
I think Ahern uses Gabe well, there's always an element of doubt about whether he's a real person, whether he's been sent there ala "A Wonderful Life" to show Lou what life would be/could be like or whether he's there with a nefarious purpose in mind.
With the central premise that time is precious and something that can never be reclaimed, Ahern gives us a somewhat updated twist on Dicken's A Christmas Carol which is perfect for the season, even if it ends with a bittersweet note.
Sickly sweet and predictably preachy. The literary equivalent of a Hallmark movie.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dacă ţi-ai dori un cadou de Crăciun, care ar fi acela? În fiecare zi Lou Suffern se luptă cu timpul. Trebuie să fie mereu în două locuri în acelaşi timp. Trebuie să facă mereu două lucruri deodată. Noaptea când doarme, visează. Şi între două vise, ziua aleargă la o întâlnire de afaceri, făcându-şi planuri pentru următoarea. Când e acasă cu soţia şi copiii săi, mintea lui e în altă parte. În drum spre serviciu, într-o dimineaţă de iarnă, Lou îl întâlneşte pe Gabe, un om fără adăpost care stă în faţa clădirii de birouri. Intrigat de acesta şi descoperind că îi poate fi util, Lou îi găseşte lui Gabe un post la serviciul de curierat intern. Dar curând Lou regretă că l-a ajutat pe Gabe. Simpla lui prezenţă îl nelinişteşte – cum poate Gabe să fie în două locuri în acelaşi timp? Pe măsură ce Crăciunul se apropie, Lou începe să înţeleagă valoarea timpului. Află ce e cu adevărat important în viaţă, dar, în acelaşi timp primeşte cea mai aspră lecţie dintre toate. Aceasta e o poveste despre oamenii care, asemenea cadourilor, ascund secrete sub învelişurile de poleială, până când apare persoana potrivită care le dă la o parte şi descoperă ce se află înăuntru. Uneori trebuie să dai la o parte multe învelişuri pentru a afla cine eşti cu adevărat.
Charles Dickens called. He wants his copy of Christmas Carol back.
This was a happier chick-lit version of Scrooge. Lou is a workaholic womaniser who doesn’t appreciate his family, who, gets visited by a “homeless man” Gabe. Gabe gives him “pills” which allows Lou to be in two places at once. By the end, Lou realise he’s an arse, becomes a better person and understands the meaning of spending time doing things or being with the people that are important.
2* read. It was a nice fun Christmas read but a yawn fest.
This was a happier chick-lit version of Scrooge. Lou is a workaholic womaniser who doesn’t appreciate his family, who, gets visited by a “homeless man” Gabe. Gabe gives him “pills” which allows Lou to be in two places at once. By the end, Lou realise he’s an arse, becomes a better person and understands the meaning of spending time doing things or being with the people that are important.
2* read. It was a nice fun Christmas read but a yawn fest.
If there is one holiday book out there that resonates the most with me, this is it. While having a career and work ethnic are important in life, so are family and friends; all of which require some sense of balancing. Over the past year I have learned that time eventually runs out. For some quicker than others. But you never know when your time is up. The sudden loss of my younger brother at 29-years old has put life into perspective. Don’t take life for granted. Don’t take your family for granted. Always find time for them and time to show your love for them. It’s easy to get caught up in daily life, complacent with daily routines, and assume someone will always be there, but this book is a nice reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. The best gift is to just be present with your loved ones. Throughout the book I loathed Lou. He was selfish, arrogant, and only cared about his own needs being fulfilled. But by the end of the book, I cared for him a great deal and my heart broke for him and his family. This book is for you if you are looking for some inspiration to reflect back on your life and what’s important to you. It’s not for you if you’re looking for a book that makes you warm and fuzzy inside in preparation for the holiday season and it’s certainly not for you if you don’t want to sob. Cecelia Ahern created a book that isn’t just reminiscent of A Christmas Carol, she created a book with one ultimate lesson that everyone could benefit from learning.
I tried hard not once but twice but i could not invest myself in this story .