Genre: General FictionPages: 410
Copyright: 2006
LOL Rating: Giggle-worthy
Rating:
Every novel has an underlying theme. With some stories, you have to really peel back the layers of the plot and characters in order to clearly see the message the author is trying to convey. The thing that strikes me about Cecelia Ahern novels is that the theme is clear to the reader from the outset. Everything that occurs in the storyline is driven by that theme and reinforces that idea to the reader with the passing of every chapter.
To me, one of the biggest messages in this novel is that sometimes in order to grow-up you need to grow back down again!
If You Could See Me Now is the story of Elizabeth - a woman in her early thirties who is very bitter with life and against her own choices is trying to raise her six year old nephew, Sam. When her nephew begins to see Ivan, an imaginary friend, Elizabeth starts to worry about him and has very little patience for his make believe games. But Elizabeth was the one who needed a friend. When she too starts to see Ivan, she assumes him to be the father of one of Sam's friends and begins a wonderful friendship with this joyful man.
This friendship and all the changes that it inspires in Elizabeth is the foundation of this novel. You can't help but fall in love with the child-like Ivan. His optimism certainly balances out Elizabeth's cynicism. As the novel progresses and the relationship between Elizabeth and Ivan deepens, you can't help but wonder where this is all going. How can it all end? Although Ivan is real, he is still an imaginary friend.
Where this story led was the reason I felt I had to give it the rating that I have. I do not want to give away too much so I'll have to suffice it to say that I was hoping for happy tears...and that's not what I got. The writing was beautiful, Ivan was charming and Elizabeth changed so much that she too became much more relatable however...the ending! It made my heart sink not soar!
This is still a beautiful tale and some of the ways that Ivan gets Elizabeth to loosen up had me giggling. It's still a great beach or rainy-day read and it won't take you long to get through. Not the same laugh-out-loud rating as Thanks for the Memories but it'll certainly make you crack a smile.
It kind of reminded me of Drop Dead Fred meets Sundays at Tiffany's. Ivan's not quite as naughty as Drop Dead Fred but he certainly has the same feeling of mischief to him. For fun, here's my favourite scene from Drop Dead Fred. Be warned, he does drop the 'B Word' quite a few times.
To me, one of the biggest messages in this novel is that sometimes in order to grow-up you need to grow back down again!
If You Could See Me Now is the story of Elizabeth - a woman in her early thirties who is very bitter with life and against her own choices is trying to raise her six year old nephew, Sam. When her nephew begins to see Ivan, an imaginary friend, Elizabeth starts to worry about him and has very little patience for his make believe games. But Elizabeth was the one who needed a friend. When she too starts to see Ivan, she assumes him to be the father of one of Sam's friends and begins a wonderful friendship with this joyful man.
This friendship and all the changes that it inspires in Elizabeth is the foundation of this novel. You can't help but fall in love with the child-like Ivan. His optimism certainly balances out Elizabeth's cynicism. As the novel progresses and the relationship between Elizabeth and Ivan deepens, you can't help but wonder where this is all going. How can it all end? Although Ivan is real, he is still an imaginary friend.
Where this story led was the reason I felt I had to give it the rating that I have. I do not want to give away too much so I'll have to suffice it to say that I was hoping for happy tears...and that's not what I got. The writing was beautiful, Ivan was charming and Elizabeth changed so much that she too became much more relatable however...the ending! It made my heart sink not soar!
This is still a beautiful tale and some of the ways that Ivan gets Elizabeth to loosen up had me giggling. It's still a great beach or rainy-day read and it won't take you long to get through. Not the same laugh-out-loud rating as Thanks for the Memories but it'll certainly make you crack a smile.
It kind of reminded me of Drop Dead Fred meets Sundays at Tiffany's. Ivan's not quite as naughty as Drop Dead Fred but he certainly has the same feeling of mischief to him. For fun, here's my favourite scene from Drop Dead Fred. Be warned, he does drop the 'B Word' quite a few times.
6 comments:
I really like Cecelia Ahern's novels too. I saw awhile back there was talk of a movie/musical starring Hugh Jackson as Ivan-which I think would be perfect. I hope it gets made.
I agree about the ending though-wasn't what I wanted. But it's still a good book anyway!
Hugh Jackman? I can see him as Ivan. He certainly has that boyish charm. The story probably lends itself to a musical too!
Thanks for the review! I've only read one book by Cecelia Ahern. I read "Where Rainbows End." I don't know if I'd like the ending of this.
Thanks for visiting Kate. I enjoyed Where Rainbows End too so this one was not my fav. DID make me want to watch Drop Dead Fred though LOL
I read this book last week and found it really interesting.It took a while for the story to develop but once that happened it was a joy reading it.
I may add this to my list of Ahern books to read, but not just yet.
Huge would be great wrapped in toilet paper. lol.
Post a Comment