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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I am a very big fan of Cecelia's work and the gift was in no way an exception of her amazing writing skills. It shows a great perspective on how materialism can control peoples lives and how sometimes the simplest, loveliest things such as having dinner with your family can be lost due to the greed for more money and more material objects. This book made me realise what is really important in life and that family is worth fighting for. Would definitely recommend!
Another version of this review can be found on http://reading-is-dreaming-with-open-eyes.blogspot.com/2015/12/cecelia-ahern-gift.html
“One thing of great importance can affect a small number of people. Equally so, a thing of little importance can affect a multitude. Either way, a happening big or small can affect an entire string of people.”
Before I start my review I simply have to tell you this: Cecelia Ahern is an extremely brilliant writer. I've read one book by her before this- If You Could See Me Now and I liked it a lot, but it was some time back and I didn't happen upon one of her books again until this. So I had quite forgotten the name of the author and so I started The Gift with no expectations whatsoever, preparing myself to see what this "new" author would give me- I know, I'm cringing here too, like, how could I forget an author I'd read and loved before?!! Anyway, I was about 10% into the book when I realized I had read a book by the author before (well, I was more like, OMG OMG OMG HOW COULD I FORGET, THIS IS CECELIA AHERN!!!!!!!!).
I don't make much sense here, do I? What I meant to tell you is that Cecelia Ahern has quite a lovely, unique way of writing that somehow pulls you into the book. She takes a serious, and maybe complicated, subject and weaves it into a magical story that you can't help but fall in love with. She did it with If You Could See Me Now, and she did it again with The Gift- and I'm sure her other books are just as good or even better and can't wait to check some of them out some time soon!
On to the review now- The Gift revolves around Lou Suffern, a typical workaholic who, as workaholics often do, neglects his family as he focuses climbing up, up and up the ladder of success at work. And just like most cases, he caves in to womanizing tendencies to relieve himself, while his wife, kids, parents and siblings wait patiently for their husband, father, son and brother to realize the folly of his ways and return back to them. Things start changing for Lou when he meets Gabe, the mysterious, kind of creepy, homeless man who sits outside his office building.
It goes without saying that I loved the author's writing style. I found myself lost in the story right from page one. Even though this book is set during Christmas, it's not particularly Christmas themed, but still the author manages to make us feel the spirit of Christmas as she describes the warmth of the seasonal atmosphere and manages to make the reader feel it too as she spins this magical tale.
What's really amazing about this book is that the protagonist is a bit of a jerk and is quite unlikable, but by the end of the book, you'd find yourself rooting for him- even if that's more for the sake of his family than for him. I completely loved the ending, even though it did manage to make me squeeze out a tear or two and couldn't help but wish things had turned out differently for Lou Suffern.
“A lesson finds the common denominator and links us all together, like a chain. At the end of that chain dangles a clock, and on the face of the clock registers the passing of time. We see it and we hear it, the hushed tick-tock, but often we don’t feel it. Each second makes its mark on every single person’s life comes and then goes, quietly disappearing without fanfare, evaporating into air like steam from a piping hot Christmas pudding. Enough time leaves us warm; when our time is gone, it leaves us cold.”
If you are on the lookout for a touching Christmas read this year, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to you. Overall, The Gift was a great Christmas read, through which the author managed to deliver the message perfectly across-
“Time can’t be given. But it can be shared.”
The story idea: 5/5
The realization of the story: 4.5/5
The characters: 5/5
The cover: 4/5
Enjoy factor: 5/5
Final Rating: 5/5
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved this book! :) it was very emotional and makes you take a step back and think about your own life. Had a lump in my throat.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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 was conflicted between a 3 and 4 star rating. The story didn't go where I expected it to, or even where I thought it would not go... I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. I will most likely need some time to think about this one. Nevertheless, the theme of 'time', or lack thereof, did come through well. In the end, what got me to cave to 4 stars was the writing. Throughout the entire book, I could picture every scene, every detail, every emotion- so vividly. It was like watching a movie. At times it was even as though I was in the very same room as the characters. I was completely transported to that world.
As a side note: I've had this book on my shelf for three years, always thinking that I had to read it during the Christmas season, and never finding the time for it. Don't make my mistake. Despite the cover art, The Gift by Cecelia Ahern doesn't have to be a Christmas read and is easily enjoyable at any time of the year.
As a side note: I've had this book on my shelf for three years, always thinking that I had to read it during the Christmas season, and never finding the time for it. Don't make my mistake. Despite the cover art, The Gift by Cecelia Ahern doesn't have to be a Christmas read and is easily enjoyable at any time of the year.
I hadn't read this for a few years but it is a book I really enjoy from an author whose books I almost always love. The Gift is the story of Lou Suffern, a very successful, very arrogant man who focusses on work and neglects his family. He uses the excuse that he is providing them with a great lifestyle which is his job. The story unfolds as it is told to a truculent teenager who has been arrested on Christmas morning for throwing a frozen turkey through the house his father lives in with his new family! As the story unfolds we meet Gabe or Gabriel who is there to help Lou learn what is important in life before it is too late. I really defy anyone reading this book not to be moved by the story and not to want to hold their family closer to them. It is a perfect seasonal read that will make you think about life and love as most of Cecilia Ahern's books do.
A perfect christmas read
I started it at the end of november going into the christmas season and got me into a great christmas mood
I started it at the end of november going into the christmas season and got me into a great christmas mood
I love the character of Gabe! I also felt sad for the ending :(