I have had a life-long relationship with colours. Enduring them, accepting them, surrendering to them.” The book itself is just stunning. It is so special and unique and unlike anything I have read before. Alice, our central character absolutely pops from the first moment we meet her. Following her incredible life journey was amazing. I felt like I knew Alice and was in her world in every way. All the characters are very well written and so distinct from each other. Some to love, some to dislike but each one is clearly defined and important to the overall story. Utterly wonderful . . . Cecelia Ahern is a master storyteller at the absolute peak of her powers. Her heroine, Alice Kelly, is completely unique – beguiling, complicated, extraordinary – and she’ll change the way you see the world’ Clare Pooley

The audiobook narrated by Amy McAllister was good, especially the distinction she provides to different characters. A beautiful cover – very apt for the story. In a Thousand Different Ways tells us the story of Alice Kelly who has the gift (even though it doesn't seem that way at times) of being able to see how people around her feel. How wonderful you think. But when you do think about it, it really must be exhausting. Not only does Alice see how people feel but she sees how others soak up others' feelings. This was my first title by Cecilia Aherne and I was thoroughly engrossed in the story and am now keen to discover more of her writing. Alice realised at 8 years of age that she could see the colours of people's moods swirling around them, changing with their thoughts and desires; manifesting their actions. Bewildered by her curse (or is it a gift?), it causes her to be distracted, distant, and different, as others' auras reach out and attempt to affect and influence her too. She must even deflect people's happiness because, 'you shouldn't steal someone else's happiness. You have to make your own.' Alice needs to find a way to live with herself and live her life, in spite of the colourful insights she sees, 'wondering why it is that I see every part of everyone and most of them never see me at all.' This book is her journey: hiding, deflecting and manipulating and finally accepting: her differences become her strength.

Featured Reviews

As the novel opens, the film-making trio behind Mouth to Mouth productions are returning to the wilds of west Cork for a funeral. Tom Toolin, one of the twin brothers who featured in their debut documentary, has died. They want to pay their respects to the surviving brother, Joe, but director Bo is also keen to keep the camera rolling: who knows how Joe will cope with the loss of his twin, his sole companion for the past 40 years? Solomon, the soundman, who is also Bo’s boyfriend, thinks her approach is a bit crass but he pitches in anyway. “Sometimes the world needs people like Bo to push the boundaries,” he observes. It is how great art is made.

I have a very busy head. I’m thinking a lot. I’m always looking ahead and wondering what if. So writing has always helped me just get rid of all the busy-ness – as soon as I write, my head clears.’ Cecelia Ahern at An Evening with Evoke in association with Her Money at the Herbert Park Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy Iceland. It’s one of my favourite countries to visit. When I was there for the first time I felt the landscape was so different to anything I’d ever experienced before that I had the feeling this is what it must be like to be on another planet.I finished this 2 minutes ago and tears are still streaming down my face!! And I so rarely cry at books !! An interesting fictional recount of how someone with synesthesia may see life and the world around them. The Story over all I felt had quite a bit of magical realism in bit of magical realism in it which really drawn me into the story itself, If your a fan of T.J klune then I think you will live this . This brings a unique element to the story so much. Kudos for all the intense and correct research into it. I am excited that so many people who taste this book will know of it. I have a friend who smalls things as colours and tells me mould is like a dark murky purple.

Alice liegt mir mit ihrem außergewöhnlichen Leben und ihrer liebenswürdigen Art sehr am Herzen. Aber es hat eine Weile gedauert, bis ich die raffinierte Geschichte von Cecelia Ahern verstanden habe. Zuerst dachte ich: "Wovon um alles in der Welt redet sie?" Erst als ich zu 50-60 % mit dem Roman durch war, traf es mich! Dann war ich von dieser spezifischen Fähigkeit besessen und wollte unbedingt herausfinden, wie Alice ihr LEBEN verantworten wird. Ich genoss jeden Satz, jeden Handlungsstrang bis zum Ende. Sehr empfehlenswert! Cecelia has a rare talent. One that has the ability to draw the reader in without them really knowing it. There isn't a plot as such, it is a story of Alice’s life, but you can't help but be drawn to her and knowing you can't give her a hug (it's too much for her to cope with) I felt protective of her. Anyone having had a toxic parent will sympathise and understand her conflict let alone with the confusion and disruption of colours as she was growing up. A wonderful, poignant at times, emotive story and one that left me with a tear. To quote Oscar Wilde “ Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways”. StunningThis was most interesting, following Alice throughout her life, her struggles with her difficult mum and younger brother, but loved and understood by her older brother. Her best friend in high school becomes a major sports star in the Premier League, she helps him get there. She discovers her husband on the tube, he has no colours, which she has never experienced.