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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
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.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 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
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.
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.
The beginning was quite depressing, and at one point thought the main characher would never heal. I did think it was a good story of the power of love and I was satified with the end.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
THIS BOOK. Probably the most obvious statement, but this book is sad. I tend not to like deeply sad books, books that deal with death, mourning, disease etc. I was lent this book, otherwise I doubt I would have chosen it. The book is an incredibly quick read, which if it had been that sad and moved slowly I would have abandoned it. The ending is touching and will probably make you cry. Wont read it again but I would say once around it is worth it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced