- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; Film Tie-in Ed edition (7 Nov 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007224907
- ISBN-13: 978-0743296328
- Product Dimensions: 18.5 x 13.5 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,105,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Steven Spielberg has bought the film rights to Marc Levy's debut novel, If Only It Were True. He was so enthusiastic about the idea for the story that he handed over the cash ($2 million) before seeing the manuscript. And it is a great story. A young architect, Arthur, moves into his apartment and finds a girl in his closet. But Lauren Kline isn't an ordinary girl. She has been in a coma for six months after crashing her open top Triumph--her "heart is beating in one place" but her "spirit is alive somewhere else." And that somewhere else is with Arthur; he's the only one who can see, hear and touch her.
The book is unashamedly romantic, the couple fall in love, stroll through San Francisco, smooch on the sea shore and contemplate the true meaning of life and love. It's all about: "Recognising happiness when it's lying at your feet, having the will and the courage to reach down and take it in your arms, and to hold on to it." But Lauren's life support machine is about to be turned off and Arthur must save his invisible girl because "each second with you is worth more than any other second."
The dialogue is intense, soul bearing and perhaps slightly naive. This is a compelling story and the novel's tone allows for endless speculation about the style of the eventual film. It would make a fine screwball comedy, or a medical drama--ER goes Oprah. Spielberg could exploit the living dead angle: a zombie rom.com, a sort of Re-animating Baby. Perhaps it will star Meg Ryan and be wistful and wide-eyed. And surely there's only one possibility for the soundtrack: The Smiths' "Girlfriend in a Coma"? --James Barry --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
• ‘The latest international publishing sensation.’ – The Guardian
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
THE NOVELTY CLOCK SITTING ON THE UNPAINTED wooden nightstand sounded at five-thirty. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
THE NOVELTY CLOCK SITTING ON THE UNPAINTED wooden nightstand sounded at five-thirty. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After seeing the film in January (I absolutely loved it) i thought why not read the original book? (originaly published as 'If Only It Were True'). For anyone not familiar with the plot a young and successful doctor (Lauren) is involved in a car crash, some weeks later architect Authur moves into Laurens apartment and soon discovers her occupying a closet in his bathroom. As the only person who can see Lauren a very special bond begins to grow. But can they get Lauren back into her living form?
I bought the book on the friday morning and had finished it by the saturday evening, i couldnt put it down, the film is nothing compaired to the book!! The plot is slightly changed for reasons best known to the screenplay writer(s)as the book is brilliant in comparison.At the end of every chapter you are left wanting more, and so you have to read on, i would strongly urge any chic lit/ rom com lovers to buy this book it is a lovely story with everything you could want laughs, loves and a few tears.
I bought the book on the friday morning and had finished it by the saturday evening, i couldnt put it down, the film is nothing compaired to the book!! The plot is slightly changed for reasons best known to the screenplay writer(s)as the book is brilliant in comparison.At the end of every chapter you are left wanting more, and so you have to read on, i would strongly urge any chic lit/ rom com lovers to buy this book it is a lovely story with everything you could want laughs, loves and a few tears.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book in its original French: (as a resident in France it was the first book I have read in a foreign language.)
The reviews on the British Amazon site didn't seem to be very encouraging so I looked on Amazon.fr where they were much better. I think one can concede from that that the book isn't as successful in translation.
I found the book very imaginative and I thought it was interesting to decide for yourself whether or not the story was supposed to be true (within the boundary of fiction) or not.
A brilliant and unusual idea...I think everyone will have their own ideas about how much they are supposed to believe.
I am going to give this book in its original language to French friends. I really enjoyed it and found the flow of words beautiful.
The reviews on the British Amazon site didn't seem to be very encouraging so I looked on Amazon.fr where they were much better. I think one can concede from that that the book isn't as successful in translation.
I found the book very imaginative and I thought it was interesting to decide for yourself whether or not the story was supposed to be true (within the boundary of fiction) or not.
A brilliant and unusual idea...I think everyone will have their own ideas about how much they are supposed to believe.
I am going to give this book in its original language to French friends. I really enjoyed it and found the flow of words beautiful.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I must admit I was a little disappointed after reading this book, a brilliant idea for a storyline but it just wasn't that well written.
It almost felt as if I was reading a book aimed at teenagers. There is no real depth to the characters,all explantions are skimmed over and not developed or explored at all. Arthur and Lauren begin a love affair (Well I take it thats what happens as apparently they kiss and spend some intimate time together, which is never fully explained!) but the whole love affair reads as a matterof fact thing that just happened because shes a woman (or ghost or whatever) and he's a man - So on that basis I think I'll walk down my street today and begin an affair with the first man I bump into because, heys he's a man thats what happens!! Wheres the chemistry?
If you want a real heart-retching romance or love story with meaning and a plot read "The Bronze Horseman" a far superior novel in every way!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Just Like Heaven
Unfortunately this book is the same as If Only It Were True. I didn't know that when I was purchasing the title above. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by Mrs. L. Bates
very different from the movie
having seen the movie first and been slightly disappointed by it, wasnt expecting very much from this book but it surprised me. Read more
Published on 11 July 2007 by Lindymck
What a wonderful story
I loved this - simple, escapist and just a really good story.
Suspend your disbelief and go with the flow of the story. I thought it was a clever idea well executed. Read more
Suspend your disbelief and go with the flow of the story. I thought it was a clever idea well executed. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2007 by avidreader
Suspend Your Disbelief
I read this book before the film came out and I loved it (I have not heard good things about the movie and probably won't bother with it). Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2006
If Only It Were True
When I first started reading this book. I couldn't put it down as I got so into it you never know whats going to happen will they end up together or not. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2005
Encapsulating Read
I read the translated version of Marc Levy's 'If Only It Were True' and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was completely absorbed in the characters; although there was an absence of... Read more
Published on 3 May 2005 by A. Dunn
If only it were true.
I think this is a great book. But im afraid i wont be able to read it again. i think i imagine people's positions too much and get caught up with the story too much. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2003 by "hazardplight"
The best book I've read in years!
This book is absolutely gourgeous. I just couldn't put it down. It's truly magical and it really makes you believe in love and life. Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2001
Enchanting but not mushy !
This is a gripping story on more than one level. Cetainly it portrays a spell-binding romance, but it also urges us to look beyond the ordinary hum-drum black-and-white of... Read more
Published on 14 April 2001
Fairytale escapism
I read this book thinking it was going to be a little bit twee - happily, I was wrong. A really nice read that makes you wish that some things were really true. Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2001
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