NO......THANK YOU, CECELIA! (Thanks for the Memories - Cecelia Ahern)

Member Name: jojopillo

Product:	Thanks for the Memories - Cecelia Ahern
Date:	19/05/09 (101 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: EXCELLENT WRITING STYLE AND ORIGINAL STORY

Disadvantages: OVER TOO SOON :o(

I have just finished reading this book and quite frankly I'm disappointed! Disappointed I've finished it that is.

I first came across Cecelia Aherne's work when I read a lovely tale called 'Where Rainbows End', and since then have always kept a look out for more from her. A couple of weeks ago while in a charity shop in Camden Town this particular title jumped out at me from the rest, so at £2.50 I bagged myself a bargain.

Daughter of former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Aherne, her writing style is quite different from other chick lit I normally engross myself in. Her books all cross over into the realms of fantasy, but once you let yourself believe the premise you'll find yourself utterly absorbed in a very uniquely creative 'modern fairytale'

'Thanks for the memories' was no exception!

************************************************* *****

Dublin girl Joyce Conway's marriage to Conor has been steadily going downhill for sometime, and after an awful accident she wakes in hospital feeling somehow different. At first she puts this down to being unwell but flashbacks and dreams of strange things start to materialise in sleep and wakefulness. Dreams of a little girl dancing in a tutu. A man with green feet, and sprinklers on a lawn. She has gained knowledge of things she's never learnt and astounds herself as well as those around her. But what does it all mean?

Justin Hitchcock is a hopeless divorcee and during a spell of guest lecturing in Dublin is coerced into donating blood by the lovely Sarah. Frightened to death of needles but enamoured by the first woman to take interest in him since his divorce, he overcomes his fear; not realising the consequences of his donation. A native of Chicago he's now based in London to be near to his daughter Bea.

Joyce's seventy-five year old father, widowed for the past ten years, becomes a big part of her life again after the accident, and although set in his ways, he revels in the new turn his life has taken since.

Justin and Joyce's fates seem to be intrinsically linked somehow and both seem to be behaving out of character to their family and friends. Rational behaviour suddenly replaced by irrationality and spontaneity, something neither have been known for. Yet both are driven by something they can't quite put their finger on......

************************************************* **********

The two main characters here are very well described and you get a true sense of their inner personality. It's easy to feel that you really know them, so like their friends and family it also seems that their behaviour has become unusual. Aherne also includes their thought processes as well as dialogue and background stories to give a three dimensional feel to Joyce and Justin; but this is done bit by bit rather than in a comprehensive way, which I feel can sometimes distract a reader.

Joyce's father is a breath of fresh air, and his vulnerability, charm, wisdom and wit are beautifully portrayed. You can't help but love this elderly man and it's so easy to relate to his endearing ways. His character is the kingpin of the book for me.

As with all Cecelia Aherne's books that I've read so far, this, yet again, is one I couldn't put down and looked forward to the next time I could engulf myself in this lovely tale. There's still a few of hers I haven't yet read but I'll be sure to keep an eye out for them.



Five stars for yet another five star read!

Published by HarperCollins 2008

IBSN: 987 0 00 7233694

Available new from Amazon currently at £3.99

Summary: HEART-WARMING TALE