A comforting and unique tale dealing with death, the afterlife and everything in between.
This is my second time reading The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud and it is still as profound as I remember. The story follows two young brothers as they deal with growing up, however one is alive and one is dead. The book also introduces the character of Tess, a keen sailor and love interest, who sadly gets into an accident and lingers between life and death.
Obviously, the subjects of death and the afterlife are highly personal topics. Whether it is your religion that informs your belief, superstition or what you have been taught by your family, everyone has their own ideas. For this book, I encourage you to set aside your belief and throw yourself wholeheartedly into what the author is saying. Sherwood suggests that the longer we hold onto the sadness, the more the spirits remain stuck and unable to move on too. The book is a gentle reminder that you have to try and move on, live your life and never take it for granted.
Now, it sounds like it would be a depressing story and in a way it is. Hearing about the death of a young boy and witnessing him stuck is really sad, however I find it quite comforting. At one point in the story, the spirits form wind and water to help save the day, which is a nice thought to know that those who have passed are always around us. This is a key message of the story, to open your heart to signs from loved ones and be accepting of their messages, they are always there. The story is about love, the bond of brothers and finding peace.
I think this would be a suitable book for a person who has recently lost someone meaningful to them. Or, someone who is stuck in a bit of a rut and needs a gentle reminder to enjoy the simple things. Sometimes, in the modern day, we are so consumed by work, social media and news, that we don't often take the time to appreciate what we do have and are always striving and working for the next best thing. This is why this book is such a treat to read. When the spirits pass, they look back on their life with pride, admiring their families, partners and friends. Never once do they stop and stare longingly at their latest car, handbag or phone. It is refreshing to read and think about.
I like to believe this authors version of the afterlife. To me, it fills me with peace and happiness knowing that they are always near. Hopefully, not when I am in the bathroom though!
I give this book a 5 Star Rating because it was so refreshing to read and helped me to feel calm. It is also quite a short book, so I was able to get hooked quite quickly. It is very similar to Nicholas Sparks' books, so if you like them, you will love this!
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