Cecelial Ahern’s “Postcript” is the follow up sequel to her moving, worldwide best selling novel “P.S. I Love You”. I haven’t read the the first book but I did watch the movie many years ago and remember it quite vividly. Even if you haven’t done either, there’s plenty within the story to get the drift of what the premise is about.
It’s seven years since Holly’s husband Gerry died from cancer and she’s finally moved on with her life; working in her sister Ciara’s second hand shop and planning on moving in with her boyfriend Gabriel. When Ciara arranges to record a podcast with Holly to discuss the letters Gerry left her after his death, signed ‘P.S. I Love You’, terminally ill patients are interested in gaining Holly’s advice to leave similar mementoes for their loved ones. Holly can’t decide if she wants to help, fearing old wounds will be opened and her grief reawakened. When her close friends and family have mixed advice, she tries to avoid becoming involved any further but she soon realises the recently formed ‘P.S. I Love You Club’ isn’t going to go away.
This book is very emotional, moving and poignant. I can imagine if you’ve recently lost someone, this story could well be a trigger for grief, since obviously the main theme of the story is death and those we leave behind. However, due to the compassionate writing and some often funny moments, it isn’t all doom and gloom and truly has some memorable moments. Holly is a very likeable character and her relationship with her sister and two best friends is very endearing and a joy to read. The new Holly isn’t the Holly that Gerry left the letters for and it was interesting to see how she’d dealt with the death of her husband and how she’d moved on in the last seven years. Holly is now in reverse positions with Gerry, sensing the emotions he felt when he wrote and planned his letters. Helping people making sure their messages are passed on after their deaths, was a fabulous idea by the author and nice follow up to a much loved movie and novel. The individual members of the club are each very unique and their distinctive requests were so special to their loved ones. Ginika’s request was particularly poignant and I felt I was there in the middle of the story with her and her baby, as she prepared herself to be able to complete her mission.
I definitely had a tear in my eye on many occasion but in a loving, heartwarming way and without a doubt this book makes you contemplative and reflective on how short life actually is and to ensure you make the most of what time you have.
I was moved and entertained in equal parts and I would certainly like to see how the ‘P.S. I Love You Club’ develops further and meet some more new characters as they make their final wishes.
4 stars
It’s seven years since Holly’s husband Gerry died from cancer and she’s finally moved on with her life; working in her sister Ciara’s second hand shop and planning on moving in with her boyfriend Gabriel. When Ciara arranges to record a podcast with Holly to discuss the letters Gerry left her after his death, signed ‘P.S. I Love You’, terminally ill patients are interested in gaining Holly’s advice to leave similar mementoes for their loved ones. Holly can’t decide if she wants to help, fearing old wounds will be opened and her grief reawakened. When her close friends and family have mixed advice, she tries to avoid becoming involved any further but she soon realises the recently formed ‘P.S. I Love You Club’ isn’t going to go away.
This book is very emotional, moving and poignant. I can imagine if you’ve recently lost someone, this story could well be a trigger for grief, since obviously the main theme of the story is death and those we leave behind. However, due to the compassionate writing and some often funny moments, it isn’t all doom and gloom and truly has some memorable moments. Holly is a very likeable character and her relationship with her sister and two best friends is very endearing and a joy to read. The new Holly isn’t the Holly that Gerry left the letters for and it was interesting to see how she’d dealt with the death of her husband and how she’d moved on in the last seven years. Holly is now in reverse positions with Gerry, sensing the emotions he felt when he wrote and planned his letters. Helping people making sure their messages are passed on after their deaths, was a fabulous idea by the author and nice follow up to a much loved movie and novel. The individual members of the club are each very unique and their distinctive requests were so special to their loved ones. Ginika’s request was particularly poignant and I felt I was there in the middle of the story with her and her baby, as she prepared herself to be able to complete her mission.
I definitely had a tear in my eye on many occasion but in a loving, heartwarming way and without a doubt this book makes you contemplative and reflective on how short life actually is and to ensure you make the most of what time you have.
I was moved and entertained in equal parts and I would certainly like to see how the ‘P.S. I Love You Club’ develops further and meet some more new characters as they make their final wishes.
4 stars