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abbywebb's review against another edition
3.0
When I was in 5th grade, there were a couple of girls who would purposefully take out really sappy, tearful books from the school library. I dubbed them "cancer books" because they were usually about a young girl or teenager who was dying of cancer and her healthy best friend.
This is what PS, I Love You reminded me of. It was excruciatingly depressing, to say the least. That is not to say that it was a horrible read, however. Actually, I rather enjoyed the book - it was far superior to the movie. It was just SO unbearably painful to read at times. I mean, break-ups are hard enough as it is, but how would you feel when the love of your life dies? That is a question that I find really difficult to ponder at this point...
Anyway, if you are like my 5th grade friends, pick up this book and get some tears flowing. It's also great for ladies who love quirky Irish writing (I do). But if what you're looking for is a pick-me-up, keep looking.
This is what PS, I Love You reminded me of. It was excruciatingly depressing, to say the least. That is not to say that it was a horrible read, however. Actually, I rather enjoyed the book - it was far superior to the movie. It was just SO unbearably painful to read at times. I mean, break-ups are hard enough as it is, but how would you feel when the love of your life dies? That is a question that I find really difficult to ponder at this point...
Anyway, if you are like my 5th grade friends, pick up this book and get some tears flowing. It's also great for ladies who love quirky Irish writing (I do). But if what you're looking for is a pick-me-up, keep looking.
cindymajor's review
1.0
This was an interesting premise that was really badly executed. The story had such promise, but the storytelling was done in an inexperienced, childish way. I had seen the movie first, not knowing what the story would be about, and thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, which is why I got compelled to buy the book.
Books are usually better than movie because they allow for more details, background stories and depth with regards to the characters, what they're thinking and why they're doing the things they do, but in this instance, the movie surpassed the book, and by a long shot. Worst part is, I had read some negative reviews about this book and I thought it couldn't possibly be that bad. I wish I had listened...
I really wanted to love that book. But I finished it feeling really disappointed and it left a sour note behind. This is one of those books that you want to warn people not to read.
Books are usually better than movie because they allow for more details, background stories and depth with regards to the characters, what they're thinking and why they're doing the things they do, but in this instance, the movie surpassed the book, and by a long shot. Worst part is, I had read some negative reviews about this book and I thought it couldn't possibly be that bad. I wish I had listened...
I really wanted to love that book. But I finished it feeling really disappointed and it left a sour note behind. This is one of those books that you want to warn people not to read.
thrscldrn's review against another edition
5.0
There were a few things that surprised me about this book.
For one, I didn't know that it was turned into a movie. Secondly, I had no idea that this was Cecelia Ahern's debut novel. As this is my first novel to read from her, I can say that I would be reading more of her books. P.S. I Love You depicted the grief of someone who lost the love of her life and how that grief changed her in more than one way. It's a story about knowing and appreciating your friends, valuing your family and holding on to memories while living life and cherishing everything it has to offer.
For one, I didn't know that it was turned into a movie. Secondly, I had no idea that this was Cecelia Ahern's debut novel. As this is my first novel to read from her, I can say that I would be reading more of her books. P.S. I Love You depicted the grief of someone who lost the love of her life and how that grief changed her in more than one way. It's a story about knowing and appreciating your friends, valuing your family and holding on to memories while living life and cherishing everything it has to offer.
saritaroth's review against another edition
2.0
I was really looking forward to this book. I believe I watched the movie years ago, and I seem to remember that I enjoyed it. And I liked the premise of the book. The story centers around Holly Kennedy, a widow who has recently lost her husband, Gerry, to a brain tumor. Shortly after his death, she finds out that her husband left behind a bunch of letters, nine to be exact, each labeled with a different month that she is to open as each month arrives. She discovers that her husband is posthumously sending her on one adventure after another.
Despite the promising story line, I felt that the story left much to be desired. For one thing, I didn't think that the writing was very good. There were a few gems here and there, such as the quote: "Every morning her mother called to see if she had survived the night alone. Always afraid of waking her yet always relieved to hear her breathing; safe with the knowledge her daughter had braved the ghosts of the night." Overall, though, it was a bit lacking for me.
In addition, I felt that the character of Holly was not very endearing. I understand that she lost her husband, and that such a loss is truly devastating, but the majority of the book she acted as if the world revolved around her. She could not get past the death of her husband enough to be happy for her friend Denise's engagement and her friend Sharon's pregnancy. Instead, she seemed jealous of their happiness and kept thinking, "Why do they get all the happiness in life and I don't?" The author doesn't use those exact words, but the whole time I was reading I felt that that was the thought foremost in Holly's mind. I haven't experienced such debilitating sadness so I can't really say how I would react, but I have a friend whose child recently passed away, and even though she was understandably destroyed emotionally by the loss, her outlook on her future life and the lives of her loved ones was a lot more positive. Her life didn't end; she picked herself up and carried on, not just for herself but for her family as well. I respect her bravery; in this book, however, I didn't feel that Holly was brave at all. For the majority of the book, she kept whining that she didn't know how she would be able to continue without the love of her life; she didn't realize that life was still flowing by like a river.
Despite the promising story line, I felt that the story left much to be desired. For one thing, I didn't think that the writing was very good. There were a few gems here and there, such as the quote: "Every morning her mother called to see if she had survived the night alone. Always afraid of waking her yet always relieved to hear her breathing; safe with the knowledge her daughter had braved the ghosts of the night." Overall, though, it was a bit lacking for me.
In addition, I felt that the character of Holly was not very endearing. I understand that she lost her husband, and that such a loss is truly devastating, but the majority of the book she acted as if the world revolved around her. She could not get past the death of her husband enough to be happy for her friend Denise's engagement and her friend Sharon's pregnancy. Instead, she seemed jealous of their happiness and kept thinking, "Why do they get all the happiness in life and I don't?" The author doesn't use those exact words, but the whole time I was reading I felt that that was the thought foremost in Holly's mind. I haven't experienced such debilitating sadness so I can't really say how I would react, but I have a friend whose child recently passed away, and even though she was understandably destroyed emotionally by the loss, her outlook on her future life and the lives of her loved ones was a lot more positive. Her life didn't end; she picked herself up and carried on, not just for herself but for her family as well. I respect her bravery; in this book, however, I didn't feel that Holly was brave at all. For the majority of the book, she kept whining that she didn't know how she would be able to continue without the love of her life; she didn't realize that life was still flowing by like a river.
bookswithbeckie's review against another edition
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
Brilliant book! I found this so hard to put down and read this in 24 hours! A bittersweet storyline guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings
Brilliant book! I found this so hard to put down and read this in 24 hours! A bittersweet storyline guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings
rachel23_'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
allisondenae's review
3.0
I hated this movie, but I'll give the book a shot.
This is better than the movie. It is fine. Just fine. Not awful, not fantastic. Another review called it "underwhelming" and I would agree.
This is better than the movie. It is fine. Just fine. Not awful, not fantastic. Another review called it "underwhelming" and I would agree.
smourning's review
4.0
This book is so much better than the movie. There is so much more depth to the characters besides Hooly, even though Holly is still the main character. I really enjoyed this book.