July 20, 2010

Review: Charlie St.Cloud By Ben Sherwood




The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud tells the haunting story of a young man who narrowly survives a terrible car wreck that kills his little brother. Years later, the brothers’ bond remains so strong that it transcends the normal boundaries separating life and death. Charlie St. Cloud lives in a snug New England fishing village. By day he tends the lawns and monuments of the ancient cemetery where his younger brother, Sam, is buried. Graced with an extraordinary gift after surviving the accident, he can still see, talk, and even play catch with Sam’s spirit. But townsfolk whisper that Charlie has never recovered from his loss.Into his carefully ordered life comes Tess Carroll, a captivating, adventuresome woman training for a solo sailing trip around the globe. Fate steers her boat into a treacherous storm that blows her back to harbor, to a charged encounter with Charlie, and to a surprise more overwhelming than the violent sea itself. Charlie and Tess discover a beautiful and uncommon connection that leads to a race against time and a desperate choice between death and life, between the past and the future, between holding on and letting go.Luminous, soulful, and filled with unforgettable characters, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is one of those rare, wise books that reveal the mysteries of the unseen world around us, gently transforming the worst pain of loss into hope, healing, and even laughter. Suspenseful and deeply moving, its startling climax reminds us that sometimes tragedies can bring about miracles if we simply open our hearts.


Unfortunately, I couldn't find the cover with Zac Efron's picture on it. Before they decided to make this book into a movie, The name of the book originally was "The Death And Life Of Charlie St.Cloud". So I guess they shorten the title when they decided to make the movie.


I really liked this book. It makes you wonder if it's really possible to actually talk and interact with the dead. I know I would like a chance to sit and talk with my dad. So that is definitely something that would be amazing.


So Charlie as a young teenager decided to "borrow" his neighbor's car and took his brother and dog to a "Boston Red Sox's" game and on the way back home he had an accident that he survived but killed his younger brother and dog.


After his brother's funeral, Charlie started working at the cemetery where his brother was buried and remained working there for years. All until Tess Carroll came by one night. That's when things started to change for Charlie. Upcoming events forced Charlie to choose between life or death. Between letting go of his past and continue on with his future.


I read this book in 3 days. I really enjoyed the book. But I didn't even realize I finished it until I started reading acknowledgments in one of its chapters. It completely confused me. So I went back to read the previous chapter and I honestly did NOT like the ending. I felt like the book was left unfinished. I was disappointed in the end However I'll recommend this book if you like a good romance. But the ending was  really crappy. Sorry Ben maybe the movie will have a different ending.


GCR Wanda

6 comments:

  1. You just won an award! Come by my blog and claim it :) http://www.bookswithbite.net

    Savannah

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  2. I would not be surprised if the ending was changed!=)

    This one is on my list since I seen the movie previews!=) I hope I get to read it before then. Thanks for the review!

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  3. Haven't seen the movie, but going to read the book first. Thanks for the review!

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  4. I saw the movie...but this makes me want to go back and read the book! It was so heart-wrenching. Thanks for the great review! :)

    -MC

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  5. I haven't read the book but I saw the movie and it was really good! Good honest review! =)

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