I was just disappointed with this book, I thought it was going to be a nice happy read but I just hated the main character and I just couldn't wait for the book be over. I don't think I've ever felt so much hatred towards a character but his personality and actions really ruined the book for me and I just didn't care whether or not he would end up choosing his family because they clearly didn't deserve him. As Christmas draws closer, Lou starts to understand the value of time. He sees what is truly important in life yet at the same time he learns the harshest lesson of all.

The Gift, Cecelia Ahern. Book Review - Raisie Bay The Gift, Cecelia Ahern. Book Review - Raisie Bay

Plus, there's still some unanswered questions. Who's Raphie's daughter? Is it Ruth? But Lou would've surely recognized his own father-in-law if he was. What happened to Jessica's husband? I get it, Turkey Boy and his family weren't important, but it kind of bothered me that his story was left out in the open as well. Outside his building he sees a homeless man called Gabe. Something about him makes Lou stop and chat to him. Then he offers Gabe a job in the post room. What Lou doesn’t catch onto immediately, is that Gabe is about to gift him his special talent for being in two places at once. The gift is one we have secretly wished for a time or two, I'm sure- but as it turns out the gift ends up having an unexpected effect on Lou… There is an air of mystery in the story as strange things begin to happen, reality has to be suspended as we see Lou getting his wish of being able to be in two places at the same time. It’s only by having the extra time this gives him that he realises just what he is sacrificing and what is really important to him.

This is a story of Lou Suffern who is a businessman who has a beautiful wife and two young children. He seems to be flitting from one place to the other and always wishing he could split himself in half as he never seems to switch off not even at home. This tale also comes with a message which Lou fails to take onboard. El final me ha gustado, quizá la mejor parte de la historia, pero aún así me ha dejado una sensación de que no he terminado de conectar ni con la historia, ni con los personajes. I went to The Bear and Bull Bar in the Waldorf Astoria in NY to do a TV Business & Finance show and I distinctly remember a woman asking me - off air - if I could attend a specific event. I recall saying "If I can clone myself I'll be there" and then BAM there was my idea.

THE GIFT | Kirkus Reviews

Ahern is a wonderfully gifted writer with a writing style that is easy and enjoyable to follow through her magical tales. I found myself submerged in her story telling straight from the opening chapter. During the beginning of the book, she describes the warmth and calmness of Christmas with beautiful imagery, and manages to get you to feel that warmth inside as you read along. Although this book is set at Christmas time, it’s not exactly Christmas themed, though that didn’t stop me feeling the Christmas spirit as I read the first three paragraphs. Life goes on, until one day, before Christmas, he meets Gabe, a homeless man - the good ghost from the tale - that changes his cosmos completely.... But, one day, although completely out of character for Lou, he buys a homeless man named Gabe a cup of coffee, which eventually leads him to help Gabe get a job in the Mailroom. The more he is around Gabe, the more noticeable it is that Gabe has this uncanny ability to get from one place to another in record time. Unbeknownst to Lou is that decision would change his life as he knew it and time will soon become precious as he receives a huge wake up call all the while feeling anxious about Gabe. What will he learn? What values will he be left with?

Being the best was as equal to being in the middle, which was equal to being the worst. All were merely a state of being. It was how a person felt in that state and why they were in that state that was the important thing.” On his way into work one early winter morning, Lou meets Gabe, a homeless man sitting outside the office building. Intrigued by him and on discovering that he could also be very useful to have around, Lou gets Gabe a job in the post room.