P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: Harper | 2007 (first published 2004) | 520 pages
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I stayed up until 2.30 a.m. last night to finish reading this book. I was eager to know the ending, so staying up late for it was no big deal!
There’s no doubt that this book has been a huge hit and so was the movie starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. No, I did not watch the movie yet though I’d really want to. It should be interesting to see Holly opening Gerry’s letters every month on screen and following her on her journey of self-recovery and doing some soul searching.
Holly’s husband and soul mate, Gerry, passed away due to brain tumour. She just can’t imagine life without him and thought she’d never be able to let him go. Then later, she receives a package from Gerry himself! He sent it just before he died. In the package are 10 sealed envelopes for Holly to open every month. She cannot cheat and open all of them at once, although she’d loved to do it!
And so Gerry’s letters help Holly move on in life without him. It’s hard but Holly is extremely lucky to have a supportive family and best friends to help her go through it. Her parents are a great help. Richard, the secretive and quiet oldest brother, surprises Holly in a number of ways. Jack, Holly’s favourite brother, has been quite distant, much to Holly’s disappointment. Then, there’s Ciara, the loud and noisy younger sister and Declan, who’s always holding a video camera nowadays.
Let’s not forget Holly’s best friends, Sharon and Denise. Both try their best to cheer Holly up as much as possible but sometimes they wonder if she’ll ever get better or if she’ll forever be depressing. However, it’s not easy on Holly’s part when she witnesses her friends’ moments of joy and happiness. Moments that she can never have with Gerry.
Holly makes a new friend too and his name is Daniel. He has recently broken up with his girlfriend and moved to Dublin while buying up a bar called Hogan’s at the same time. He’s good-looking and has been an understanding friend, but does he expect to be more than friends with Holly?
The ending was totally unexpected. Well, I didn’t expect the ending to be like that actually. All the same, PS, I Love You is definitely an enjoyable book, despite the sadness of it all. Ahern’s writing style is easy and funny, just like a chick lit book. Is this book considered as chick lit? Hmm, maybe not. If you’re the overly sensitive and emotional type, prepare a box of tissues when you read it! =)
Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Maria, nylusmilk, Kathleen, Melody, Tricia, KittyCat
I love reading other’s thoughts on books I read. It is always interesting to see someone eles’s options when they differ from mine.
My friend and I are both overly sensitive and at no time considered crying or even tearing up.
For my book review go here.
http://mgagliano.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/amateur-book-review-ps-i-love-you/#comments
Hi Maria,
Thanks for dropping by to read my review! =) Yup, it’s a pretty emotional book and I really enjoyed Ahern’s writing. Love the characters!
Hi!
Yeah, this was an amazing book. I couldn’t put it down when I started reading it. Have you read any of her other work? All of her other books have piled onto my To Be Read list…
Hey Nar,
Same here! I couldn’t put the book down too. In a way, it was definitely intriguing and it makes me curious as to what will happen next.
I’ve recently bought Where Rainbows End by Ahern. Can’t wait to get started on that too!
I AM glad to hear that it’s such a good read. I couldn’t put it down either – unfortunately, my copy was held ransom by my sister!
If she’s reading this, she owes me / my son a nice Christmas present for (hint, hint)
i didn’t like this book. i can see its appeal to chick lit and romance readers though; my friends love it too. i read where rainbows end (also known as rosie dunne) first, and i thought that is a better book, in terms of plot and story presentation.
KittyCat: Ha…ha…ha! I’m sure you’ll get to read it someday soon when your sister returns it to you. =D
nylusmilk: Yeah, ‘P.S. I Love You’ has the qualities of a chick lit book, that’s why. I’m going to read ‘Where Rainbows End’ later (my mom is reading it now!) and I’ll then see how it is. Thanks for your comment. =D
I cried buckets reading this one some 2 or 3 years back…
Hi Josette,
Cool site! Was directed here from the comment you left on the Y.O! blog.
Did you manage to catch the movie?
Alice: It is a rather sad book, isn’t it? Losing one’s spouse is terrible.
Lynn: Hi Lynn, thanks for dropping by! No, I haven’t watched it yet. Have you?
Thanks for visiting my blog and for sharing your review, Josette. I agree this is a rather sad story; and the characters are great!
I’m hoping to watch the movie in DVD soon since I had missed it when it was first released.
Melody: Hi! Thanks for dropping by and I hope you enjoy the movie later. I might buy it the next time I’m at the mall!
Hi
i Need Dome help please!! I haven’t finish the book but I have to write a book report until Monday! Please help me and answer me some questions, thank you very much 
1) setting
2) character of Gerry and Sharon
3) important events
Thanks a lot