Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
All I can say is that I should not have watched the mov*e before reading this, because for the first time in history the mov*e was 1000x better than the book. The book was dull, failed to maintain focus, and did not leave you sobbing crocodile tears like the mov*e. The characters were overall unlovable as well, something opposite of the witty, compassionate mov*e characters.
So badly written that it detracted from the touching and interesting premise.
I read this solely because I saw that a film was being made of it with Gerard Butler (of 300 fame) and wanted to have read the film prior to seeing the film which I am bound to do because it has Gerard Butler (of 300 fame) in it. The book is written by the daughter of the Irish Prime Minister which is the most interesting thing I can think to say about it. I like myself some chick-lit-lite but this is ridiculous. The writing was obvious, unsubtle, clichéd and dull. I did not connect with the characters and felt no emotional connection whatsoever with the story or the protagonist. I did not care what happened in the end. Having said this, I can see why this will be made into a film. The premise is actually not that bad: Widow receives a letter from her dead husband which he wrote before he died along with 11 other instalments to be read monthly to help her bereavement. It actually sounds really naff now I write it… But I honestly think the film will be far superior to the book. I hope so anyway. This does really annoy me though. It seems that to have your novel made into a film, you don’t have to be a good writer. You just have to have a good idea. Seems a bit unfair to me.
I read this solely because I saw that a film was being made of it with Gerard Butler (of 300 fame) and wanted to have read the film prior to seeing the film which I am bound to do because it has Gerard Butler (of 300 fame) in it. The book is written by the daughter of the Irish Prime Minister which is the most interesting thing I can think to say about it. I like myself some chick-lit-lite but this is ridiculous. The writing was obvious, unsubtle, clichéd and dull. I did not connect with the characters and felt no emotional connection whatsoever with the story or the protagonist. I did not care what happened in the end. Having said this, I can see why this will be made into a film. The premise is actually not that bad: Widow receives a letter from her dead husband which he wrote before he died along with 11 other instalments to be read monthly to help her bereavement. It actually sounds really naff now I write it… But I honestly think the film will be far superior to the book. I hope so anyway. This does really annoy me though. It seems that to have your novel made into a film, you don’t have to be a good writer. You just have to have a good idea. Seems a bit unfair to me.
What is this bullshit ending.
The rest of the book was cute/sweet, the story of a woman putting her life back together after her husband passes, but the ending was hackneyed to the point of Breaking-Dawn-bad. Maybe the author wanted to give our poor protagonist a break, but the lengths she went to so that everything worked out neatly stretched my willing suspension of disbelief to the point that I had to chuck my book across the room. Just an awful ending.
The rest of the book was cute/sweet, the story of a woman putting her life back together after her husband passes, but the ending was hackneyed to the point of Breaking-Dawn-bad. Maybe the author wanted to give our poor protagonist a break, but the lengths she went to so that everything worked out neatly stretched my willing suspension of disbelief to the point that I had to chuck my book across the room. Just an awful ending.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Holly is about to turn 30 years old and has recently lost the absolute love of her life. Her high school sweetheart and husband, Gerry, has passed away after a brief fight with a brain tumor. But Holly isn't left to herself, she has her best friends and family to help her grieve Gerry and try to figure out life without him. And then there's Gerry himself, he's done something to help Holly figure out life without him. It turns out before Gerry died he wrote Holly a series of letters asking her to do certain things, designed to help her move forward. So, Holly embarks on a journey through her grief helped along by Gerry, whom she is grieving.
I am surprised at how much I liked this story - as implausible as most of it was/is and as oddly bland as some of Gerry's prompts to move forward were for Holly. But perhaps I should give the guy a break, he was really ill at the time he embarked on his final project. I think what I liked about the book was Ahern's attempt to explore a way to interact with grief, by using the object of grief itself. I haven't seen the movie, I'm not sure that I want to. But I am slightly curious to read the follow-up book. I'm not moving it up on my TBR but I do think I'll get to it someday.
I am surprised at how much I liked this story - as implausible as most of it was/is and as oddly bland as some of Gerry's prompts to move forward were for Holly. But perhaps I should give the guy a break, he was really ill at the time he embarked on his final project. I think what I liked about the book was Ahern's attempt to explore a way to interact with grief, by using the object of grief itself. I haven't seen the movie, I'm not sure that I want to. But I am slightly curious to read the follow-up book. I'm not moving it up on my TBR but I do think I'll get to it someday.
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cecelia’s writing is so beautiful and enchanting, it always feel effortless to read as the writing just flows off the page.
This book will always hold a special place in my heart and was just the read I needed when going through a really tough time, Cecelia’s words provided the comfort I needed.
This book will always hold a special place in my heart and was just the read I needed when going through a really tough time, Cecelia’s words provided the comfort I needed.