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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This book was much better than the movie for me. While I loved that the movie brought the emotion to life...there was something about imagining the gamut of emotions that this woman went through in her grieving. I cried a LOT!
A good, nice, and light read.
I was expecting a romantic novel until I finished chapter 2 and realized, this seems to be a soul-searching kind of story. I checked out the blurb online and it does seem to be what I think it is. AlthoughI was ready for romance, found myself relieved that it wasn't.
As this was first published in 2004, I found a lot scenes cliché. Maybe it was best to read this around that time too, as it was also the time when chick flick movies were popular, which a lot of scenes in this book were giving that vibe. But as much as most of it felt cliché, there were plenty of scenes that hit home for me with its theme of loneliness, and the warmth of family and friends. There was a particular scene that got me surprisingly emotional. Reading that part made me realize that everyone has probably felt the same: When you desperately need help for something trivial, but as you go through your contacts, you realized there's really no one to reach out to, and you spiral from there. I cried harder when it was her mom who came to her rescue. That was just a very familiar feeling.
One of the loneliest feeling is that everyone seems to be moving on, while you're still holding on to the past, which I believe the book tackled on quite gracefully.
This is also such a good read for someone like me to understand those going through the loss of a loved one; that celebrating life is not just confettis and festivities, but also reliving memories, and going through the process of acceptance that there are things and people which can never be part of our lives again.
I was expecting a romantic novel until I finished chapter 2 and realized, this seems to be a soul-searching kind of story. I checked out the blurb online and it does seem to be what I think it is. AlthoughI was ready for romance, found myself relieved that it wasn't.
As this was first published in 2004, I found a lot scenes cliché. Maybe it was best to read this around that time too, as it was also the time when chick flick movies were popular, which a lot of scenes in this book were giving that vibe. But as much as most of it felt cliché, there were plenty of scenes that hit home for me with its theme of loneliness, and the warmth of family and friends. There was a particular scene that got me surprisingly emotional. Reading that part made me realize that everyone has probably felt the same: When you desperately need help for something trivial, but as you go through your contacts, you realized there's really no one to reach out to, and you spiral from there. I cried harder when it was her mom who came to her rescue. That was just a very familiar feeling.
One of the loneliest feeling is that everyone seems to be moving on, while you're still holding on to the past, which I believe the book tackled on quite gracefully.
This is also such a good read for someone like me to understand those going through the loss of a loved one; that celebrating life is not just confettis and festivities, but also reliving memories, and going through the process of acceptance that there are things and people which can never be part of our lives again.
I thought this book had some really good messages and made me appreciate the people in my life more - the characters were quirky and fun, it was an easy read, but I had a feeling of disappointment overall with the conclusions and ending of the book. Not completey what I had expected, and not in a good way.
Dapat 4 bintang karena ada satu bagian di novel ini yang berhasil membuat saya benar-benar menitikkan air mata walaupun seumur hidup - seumur hidup - saya belum pernah menangis saat membaca/menonton kisah sedih.
Gerry, damn you, man.
Berkisah mengenai Holly, wanita di akhir 20-nya yang masih dalam masa berkabung setelah suaminya selama 7 tahun, Gerry, meninggal beberapa bulan lalu. Awalnya Holly seakan kehilangan semangat hidup setelah menyadari kalau Gerry sang suami, soulmate, kekasih, sekaligus sahabat, telah pergi meninggalkannya. Namun Gerry, sebelum meninggal, seakan telah memprediksi hal ini dan meninggalkan setumpuk surat yang harus dibaca Holly setiap bulan untuk membantunya bangkit dari perasaan berkabungnya.
Baca cerita ini karena mendapat rekomendasi dari Kak Kimi setelah saya berkoar-koar ingin membaca kisah romantis yang manis dan "nggak alay" demi mendapatkan feel romance untuk membuat novel romance. Dan begitu saya menemukan bukunya di toko buku dekat kampus dengan harga terjangkau, langsung saya sambar buku ini.
Dan ternyata memang cerita ini pantas direkomendasikan. Walau gaya bahasanya ringan dan chicklit-wise, tapi memang terasa kisah cinta yang manis antara Holly dan Gerry, dimana kita benar-benar mencintai satu orang secara penuh dan tanpanya kita kehilangan arah. Saya memang anti kisah seperti ini jika dimasukkan dalam konteks percintaan remaja yang pemikirannya masih belum dewasa, namun, dalam kisah ini, dalam konteks hubungan pernikahan yang sakral, entah kenapa saya merasa cinta dan kesetiaan Holly yang begitu besar terhadap Gerry tak pelak membuat saya terharu. Apalagi kisah cinta Holly dan Gerry tidak digambarkan sebagai kisah cinta yang memabukkan dan sempurna, melainkan bergejolak namun tetap terasa lembut dan manis.
Me, too, want someone like Gerry at my side. *sniff*
Gerry, damn you, man.
Berkisah mengenai Holly, wanita di akhir 20-nya yang masih dalam masa berkabung setelah suaminya selama 7 tahun, Gerry, meninggal beberapa bulan lalu. Awalnya Holly seakan kehilangan semangat hidup setelah menyadari kalau Gerry sang suami, soulmate, kekasih, sekaligus sahabat, telah pergi meninggalkannya. Namun Gerry, sebelum meninggal, seakan telah memprediksi hal ini dan meninggalkan setumpuk surat yang harus dibaca Holly setiap bulan untuk membantunya bangkit dari perasaan berkabungnya.
Baca cerita ini karena mendapat rekomendasi dari Kak Kimi setelah saya berkoar-koar ingin membaca kisah romantis yang manis dan "nggak alay" demi mendapatkan feel romance untuk membuat novel romance. Dan begitu saya menemukan bukunya di toko buku dekat kampus dengan harga terjangkau, langsung saya sambar buku ini.
Dan ternyata memang cerita ini pantas direkomendasikan. Walau gaya bahasanya ringan dan chicklit-wise, tapi memang terasa kisah cinta yang manis antara Holly dan Gerry, dimana kita benar-benar mencintai satu orang secara penuh dan tanpanya kita kehilangan arah. Saya memang anti kisah seperti ini jika dimasukkan dalam konteks percintaan remaja yang pemikirannya masih belum dewasa, namun, dalam kisah ini, dalam konteks hubungan pernikahan yang sakral, entah kenapa saya merasa cinta dan kesetiaan Holly yang begitu besar terhadap Gerry tak pelak membuat saya terharu. Apalagi kisah cinta Holly dan Gerry tidak digambarkan sebagai kisah cinta yang memabukkan dan sempurna, melainkan bergejolak namun tetap terasa lembut dan manis.
Me, too, want someone like Gerry at my side. *sniff*
From the beginning of this book until the last sentence I was in love with the story and had a frog in my throat from being on the verge of tears. I've not lost a spouse but the love Holly had for Gerry was beautiful and her pain came through by the words of the book. There were a few cheesy parts but overall it was a beautiful story and I recommend it to anyone who wants a good chick-lit read.
I like this book. That said, this will make you cry.
One of those rare instances where I liked the movie better. Maybe that had something to do with Gerard Butler though...
Quick read...seeing as I started it Tuesday and finished last night! :) Now I'm ready to see the movie! I thought it was a good story, definitely quite sad at times!
I don’t know if I’m getting pickier with books or whether I’m just reading a lot of bad books in a row. Probably a mix of both.
This book is supposed to be about grief and dealing with loss. I learned nothing about dealing with loss; I followed a bunch of 30 year old women who think they’re hilarious around for a whole book for no damn reason.
Literally the end of the book is just Holly going out for a drink with another man. That’s the only thing I learned from this book—eventually you’ll find a new man.
Horribly disappointed.
This book is supposed to be about grief and dealing with loss. I learned nothing about dealing with loss; I followed a bunch of 30 year old women who think they’re hilarious around for a whole book for no damn reason.
Literally the end of the book is just Holly going out for a drink with another man. That’s the only thing I learned from this book—eventually you’ll find a new man.
Horribly disappointed.
emotional
Não gostei.
Não gostei das personagens nem da história.
Não consegui criar qualquer tipo de ligação com a personagem principal.
Não gostei das personagens nem da história.
Não consegui criar qualquer tipo de ligação com a personagem principal.