P.S. I Love You - Cecilia Ahern

A novel about holding on, letting go, and learning to love again. Holly couldn't live without her husband Gerry, until the day she had to. They were the kind of young couple who could finish each other's sentences. When Gerry succumbs to a terminal illness and dies, 30-year-old Holly is set adrift, unable to pick up the pieces. But with the help of a series of letters her husband left her before he died and a little nudging from an eccentric assortment of family and friends, she learns to laugh, overcome her fears, and discover a world she never knew existed.

The kind of enchanting novel with cross-generational appeal that comes along once in a great while, PS, I Love You is a captivating love letter to the world!

Review:

Cecelia Ahern

A good book for a weekend. Apart from the frequent repetitions, the book is worth a read. The author, Cecelia Ahern, with his debut novel has did a wonderful job. She even managed to bring tears in a few places. Holly Kennedy is grieving about her husband's death and the way she gets over that and starts a new life is beautifully portrayed. Gerry's list is a touching thing and it manages to make Holly strong and brave after his death. Her friends, Sharon,John and Denise play an important role in her life and one aches for such great friends..The book is more of a 'how to get over the loss of your loved one' than a love story but still I enjoyed it..

First of all, I loved the narration. The book opens to Holly grieving the loss of her husband, her well-wisher, her lover, her everything - Gerry. She finds it really difficult to move on after her terrible loss and is constantly reminded of the beautiful and happy life they once lived. She cannot concentrate on work, cannot concentrate on her household chores or anything. Wherever she turns, she sees Gerry. I loved the cute fights between Gerry and Holly - the usual small fights between couples. I felt the author could have given us more of Gerry. That is why I say this book is more of a 'how to get over the loss of your loved one' story than a romantic story. 

Holly finds a letter from her late husband that he probably should have written minutes before his death. The letter is touching, where Gerry consoles Holly and asks her not to cry too much over his loss and move on. It is later revealed that Gerry once playfully remarked Holly about writing notes to her, inorder that she doesn't forget what she has to do everyday. Gerry takes this seriously and has written 12 letters for her, each to be opened on the first day of the month. Holly is really moved, and sees her husband and feels him through his letters. Eventually, she has something to live for - his letters. She opens the letters as she was told, and follows her husband's instructions to the letter. How Gerry manages to make Holly move on with her life without him forms the rest of the story.

This one is a good book, a light read, and you'll never need a dictionary to assist you. The language is easy to follow and so are the characters. The ordeals through which Holly puts herself into, for the sake of Gerry, are a treat to watch and the book is generously sprinkled with some good humour, that will make you laugh till your stomach hurts. One moment you find yourself laughing with Holly, and the next moment, you start crying for her. Such is the mix of raw emotions in the story, that you could hardly settle into one particular feeling for Holly. Life, its loss, its gain, its joys, its sorrows are what it interesting and worthwhile.

And one small advice, never see the movie before reading the book.  The movie  has changed so much of the book that you will find  it difficult to settle into the book as an independent, standalone work. And finally, a word about the author. While her style can be at times repetitive and her delivery is occasionally amateurish, Ahern deserves credit for a spirited first effort. 

A very good book for a peaceful weekend!

Rating: 3.7/5