Hello folks, welcome to the summer months
of sweat, heat and hopefully a few more books. When Tinam asked me to
write a book review, I thought for a while which book to review. The
last few books that I have read are fairly technical and hence FE
wouldn’t suit them, so I decided to review a book that I had read a few
years back. Now don’t think that romantic novels are turning out to be
my favourites because the last one that I reviewed here was also a
classic romance. “PS, I Love You” is quite a different kind of novel.
The first novel by the author, Cecelia Ahern, it carries with it all the
woes and surprises of a first work.
The plot revolves around an Irish girl
Holly, whose husband and the love of her life, Gerry dies of cancer just
a few years into their marriage. Holly not only loses her husband but
the only person in her life, who understands every move of hers. His
death devastates her and the only person who can help her cope up with
the grief and stress is Gerry himself. Gerry’s love for Holly was so
immense that before he died he had meticulously planned out to help
Holly lead on a new life without him. He had written 10 letters to
Holly, to be delivered to her one each month after his death, where he
set her to do some tasks that would help Holly get over the grief and
enjoy life the way it should be enjoyed. Each letter sends her on a new
adventure which slowly moulds her into a new person, each signs off in
the same way: “P.S. I Love You.” Holly’s mother and best friends, Sharon
and Denise, begin to worry that Gerry’s letters are keeping Holly tied
to the past, but, in fact, each letter is pushing her further into a new
future, making her stronger and helping her to move on into a bright
future.
The rest of the novel is just an account
of how Holly does everything that Gerry asks her to do and ultimately
moves on with her life. The novel at times seems fast paced and at other
times, it seems to be a very slow journey. Ahern’s first work is not
mind blowing, but her subsequent works till now have proved that she is
evolving as a story teller and a novelist. The plot of the novel is at
times too predictable and the reader is not left with any incentive to
move on with the story. The characters are slightly drawn and are the
stock figures of romance – disapproving in-laws, unsympathetic and
tear-away siblings and supportive but puzzled parents – who all behave
predictably. The theme of the book is meant to be how Holly comes to
terms with the devastation of losing her husband – with his help.
Bereavement and loss are very weighty subjects for a young inexperienced
author to tackle effectively. She does not succeed in doing justice to
her chosen theme and fails to convey any depth of feelings or emotion in
her main character.
Having said this, however it would be
injustice not to mention that the author does have a knack of bringing
in surprises from time to time. Although the book from a literary
standpoint fails to impress us much, but the story as a standalone piece
has that charming ‘magical’ feeling about it, which die-hard romantics
swear by. Real life romance and Ahern’s fiction can certainly spice up a
few things. The book narrates a man’s love for his wife, so much so
that even after he is dead, he can’t see himself being away from her. A
book to be enjoyed for some light summer reading, maybe planning out a
trip to the beach and you need to something to while away your time, and
then this book would be your ideal solace.
Oh yes, if you think reading the book
would be too much trouble, then just pick up the DVD of the movie made
on the book, and enjoy that instead. In this case, the movie is better
than the book. Till the next time, have some fun summer days.
Author: Cecelia Ahern
ISBN: 0007270100
ISBN-13: 9780007270101, 978-0007270101
Binding: Paperback
Publishing Date: 2010
Publisher: Harper Collins
Edition: 01
Number of Pages: 503
Language: English
Format: A
Rating: 3/5
[This review was published here.]
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