Whenever I get my hands on any novels, I have my personal three-point checklists to a good fiction:-
1. Captivating title - checked
2. Characters’ development - checked
3. The weight of plot - checked
Ahern’s ability to finish this debut of hers while pursuing her Degree in Journalism and Media Studies, can guaranteed a two thumbs up to her. On the other hand, first novel topped the international bestseller list, receiving praises from overseas magazines like Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Company and In Style. But then again, bearing in mind that this 2004 masterpiece had scripted into movie in 2006, which starred Hilary Swank and Gerald Butler received yet another acclaimed major box office.
And the daughter of former Ireland Prime Minister, her work has been criticised for being nepotistic. Well typically enough, it barely touches on the surface and the work structure is nothing much special but common knowledge of yet another sappy romantic love story of both from childhood sweetheart to now once a happy couple; until a beloved, close to perfect husband Gerry suffered with disease and then died, leaving the widow Holly behind, who then started to reminiscent all this deceased person have left and what she should be doing wasn’t enough.
Is that the reason I purchase this book?
In order to look at how she strives through.
But blame me for couldn’t control the passion of those beautiful notes that sweet Gerry wrote in each envelope that he labelled it according to month and each signed with PS, I Love You. Those notes were full of encouragement, leading and bold. The guidance he provided through expressing words, throughout the novel as if he’s the leading man that is still breathing in Holly’s chapters of journey. There’re bittersweet surprises as he kept in store for his wife whilst she opens the envelope when the clock hits twelve midnight sharp, like a child waiting for her favourite cartoon show to be aired or cotton candy in the process.
Truthfully, the first three chapters did, somehow caught my attention, disregard of the literary point of without much on description of picturesque and plain-pretty straightforward. It’s suitable for leisure reading, with a cuppa over rainy days that do not need to decipher what the author’s message is. It’s definitely a woman’s fictions so to speak. Expression of moans and groans of ‘oh’ or ‘oh, so sad’ can be heard, randomly. Tension may ceased, but the solemnity and melancholic feeling we feel with Holly, is what Ahern wants us to appreciate.
Is that the reason I purchase this book?
In order to look at how she strives through.
But blame me for couldn’t control the passion of those beautiful notes that sweet Gerry wrote in each envelope that he labelled it according to month and each signed with PS, I Love You. Those notes were full of encouragement, leading and bold. The guidance he provided through expressing words, throughout the novel as if he’s the leading man that is still breathing in Holly’s chapters of journey. There’re bittersweet surprises as he kept in store for his wife whilst she opens the envelope when the clock hits twelve midnight sharp, like a child waiting for her favourite cartoon show to be aired or cotton candy in the process.
Truthfully, the first three chapters did, somehow caught my attention, disregard of the literary point of without much on description of picturesque and plain-pretty straightforward. It’s suitable for leisure reading, with a cuppa over rainy days that do not need to decipher what the author’s message is. It’s definitely a woman’s fictions so to speak. Expression of moans and groans of ‘oh’ or ‘oh, so sad’ can be heard, randomly. Tension may ceased, but the solemnity and melancholic feeling we feel with Holly, is what Ahern wants us to appreciate.
Forget all the scepticism, as another romantic fiction; it reflects a love and fate that how it reflects and effects one self. Stories of a lover dying is very common, but with writing love letters or recording messages by using a cam-recorder are even much to be expected. Here, the deceased is afraid of how the other party is going to live without them especially, Holly who depending so much on Gerry in almost everything. So, here come the notes – so that Holly could look forward to life after today.
With some heart-felt similarity with Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook, Ahern has done her debut well.
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