Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9780007284979
ISBN: 0007284977
Label: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: October 20, 2008
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Sales Rank: 46
Studio: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.co.uk Review:
So many new novels jostle for our attention that readers could be forgiven for lacking the patience to tackle most of them. But in the case of The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, they would be doing themselves a disservice by passing this one by. As in her highly involving debut novel, PS I Love You, Ahern demonstrates a sure and subtle understanding of the human condition and the pleasures and pains in relationships. Her theme in the new book is the way in which we conceal the truth about ourselves -- many people cover themselves in layers of deceit until somebody with the right motivation unwraps those layers and discovers the truth.

Lou Suffern is practised in the art of concealment. He is, also, always overstretched, trying to do too many things at once. His overburdened schedule gives him few moments of peace, even in his sleep. And when he spends time at home with his wife and family, he is always distracted, and, mentally, somewhere else. On a cold winter morning, Lou is on his way to work when he encounters Gabe, a homeless street dweller, sitting outside an office building. Lou is intrigued by him, and contrives to get him a job in the post room. But this act of charity rebounds on him, and Gabe’s presence begins to grate on Lou -- particularly when he discovers that the latter seems capable of being in two places at the same time. Christmas is drawing near, and before the season is over, Lou’s life will be irrevocably change by the casual act of kindness he has performed.

Apart from the sheer storytelling skill of The Gift, perhaps Cecelia Ahern’s most considerable achievement is the way in which she has taken a narrative which could easily have moved into rather twee territory, and very efficiently kept sentimentality at bay. That's not to say that the novel isn't deeply affecting, without ever trying to engage our emotions in a synthetic way, Ahern succeeds in involving us completely. In fact, the title could be said to be apposite -- it's a book that deserves to be a gift given by many people to the readers in their lives. --Barry Forshaw




Rating: - Not sure about this one
My local library managed to get this one for me in the week between Christmas and New Year which was nice timing. The story of Lou, the workaholic father of two who spends his entire life letting his family down as he focus solely on his rise up the corporate ladder started out well. As he gets homeless man, Gabe (Gabriel), a job in his office postroom over the festive period things are all happy and fine. Things start to unravel though when Gabe appears at unexpected times and begins to ferret ... Read More

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Rating: - fantastic
After reading P.S i love you i wasn't sure if this would live up to it but it did infact it's much better. theres a lesson in there for everyone.
very sad story at the end so much so i could barely read the words on the page for tears definatly worth a read and i will be reading it again and again and i think its going to have the same effect time after time!you will not be disappointed and you will also learn something from it so read it !!!

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Rating: - ceceli ahern the gift
The Gift
this book is fantastic !!! it had me sobbing my heart out and i will re-read this many times im sure. Buy it its great

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Rating: - The Perfect Gift For Christmas
I originally brought this book to read over the Christmas period with the story being set over Christmas time. However one winter night with nothing to do and all my presents brought and wrapped for Christmas, I decided to start it to put me in a Christmassy mood. So I untied the red ribbon (which works well as a bookmark) and opened The Gift which is beautifully presented - present being the key word! At first the book started off a bit slow unlike Cecelia Ahern's previous novels that have all had ... Read More

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Rating: - be depresed at christmas!!!!!
Having read lots of good reviews of this book i sadly have to disagree-only read this if you want to feel depressed this Xmas! You need to sympathise with the main character of Lou for this book to work and i dont think you will an if you enjoy reading about pill taking,adultery,hurt and neglect then this book is for you!!! Read 'If you could see me now' its much much better!

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