Go for it! I'll have to find this book, I know we own it, but I can't remember where it is...
Alright, I'll start the discussion then :P
I read this book today. Quite literally, I started it at the bus stop on my way to uni and finished it halfway through the train ride home. It's not long! ;)
None of this will be very spoilerish, but I'll put it behind the bars anyway. I promise I won't give any major plot points away or tell you who he talks to, so feel free to look under even if you haven't finished the book! :)
It made me tear up quite a few times (which was a little bit embarrassing on the train when the two guys next to me were having a loud discussion about cars, and I'm tearing up!) but I really liked it. There were lots of times I could really relate to Eddie's feelings of being worthless, not because I think myself or anyone else is, but because we all have those moments and it was just so well written.
The concept of meeting the five people who will explain your life to you was really interesting, and they're not all people Eddie even had much to do with. I loved how it told you about a lot of his birthdays, and you got those little snapshots in to more of his life.
I have wanted to read this book for ages, except I'm broke. Except I have too many books already... argh!
[act]Points Jossie in the direction of a library[/act]
I was lucky that Mum already owned it, I'd been meaning to read it for ages. It's only short!
[act]bump[/act]
Hey guys, don't forget this is still the current OBC book!
I'm almost finished reading this one. It's a simply written book but I think that's it's appeal. It kinda of reminds me a little of The Alchemist in that it's a fable.
I really like the idea of having five people that touched your life that help you move on - especially when your death is so sudden.
I especially could relate to his relationship with his father. Letting go of anger and disappointment in a failure of a parent and just accepting and loving them for who they. It's that whole thing about realising that you can't choose your family.
I haven't read The Alchemist, is it good?
I agree, the part with his dad was sad. I don't think I fully understood what was even going on in that bit, maybe I should reread it. But it was very sad when his Dad wouldn't react to him knocking on the window!
I finally finished reading it.
I thought it wasn't too bad. Like you Cat,
I liked the idea of meeting 5 people in heaven that would help you move on. It teared me up inside a little reading about the last person being the little girl he accidentally killed. I thought it would be the girl he tried to save.
I like the idea that even though we might not know it we affect one another in ways we can't imagine. I like that everyone's story, no matter how we ourselves view it, is a story worth telling
And you're right those little glimpses into his life through his birthday was a very good way of doing it.
I'm interesting in reading Tuesday with Morrie, as my cousin tells me it talks about a teacher. And being a teacher myself, she thought I could relate?
The Alchemist is really good, Cat, we should make it one of our bookclub books!
Tuesdays with Morrie was good, you should definitely read it!
Back to 5 People though
I know, it was so sad that there was a little girl in the burning barn!! So many people's live ruins from that event, the captain who shot him (and then stepped on a landmine or something), the little girl who died and Eddie's leg and then because he let it his life. I'm glad the girl he tried to save did survive, and that the girl who died was looking out for him, but it was still so tragic!
What I also found sad was that all throughout he thought he was so worthless, a waste of space. And yet here he is saving the life of a little girl in his last moments, but even in that he thought he was useless at it until right at the very end. It's one of those cheesy hallmark card moments, but it really does show that everyone is capable of of great things if you believe in yourself! Aaaand I'm going to stop being all motivational speakerish now :P
I totally agree, Cat.
It was horrible Eddie felt worthless, and that would have started with his father, and then later his leg and inability to do what he used to and being affected by the war. But I like that the last lesson was that he thought it was a worthless life, and yet he was actually stopping so many kids and people from getting hurt. He was making a difference. It's actually something that a lot of people do - viewing your own life in your own eyes and thinking how horrible/worthless/unhappy you are... but if you look at the bigger picture, if you look you might see that what you're doing is not as horrible/worthless/making you as unhappy as you think it is. Maybe it's just YOUR point of view.
I don't know if that's completely clear. But it's like people who deem themselves unhappy with themselves, with their life, and regret past things. Instead of looking at what and who they actually have right at that very instant, and being see some happiness and meaning in that. Not just dwelling on what was, or what could have been.
Has anybody seen the movie version?
