- Mass Market Paperback: 311 pages
- Publisher: Pocket Books; Reprint edition (31 Oct 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743412028
- ISBN-13: 978-0743412025
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 883,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Pay it Forward
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Product Description
Review
Amazon.com"Pay It Forward" is reminiscent of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," Like the [Capra] film, this novel has a steely core of gritty reality beneath its optimism....It takes courage to write so unabashedly hopeful a story in such cynical times.
Denver Post
'The philosophy behind the book is so intriguing, and the optimism
so contagious . . . a book that lingers long after the last page is
turned.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
so contagious . . . a book that lingers long after the last page is
turned.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
The woman smiled so politely that he felt offended. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The woman smiled so politely that he felt offended. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Pay it Forward (recently made into an inferior film) is wonderful and original novel about a less than ordinary boy changing the world for the better. Twelve-year-old Trevor lives with his poor, divorced mother, he has a hard life in which he is almost forced to act grown-up. When a new teacher starts at his school and gives the class a project to come up with an idea that will make the world a better place, Trevor is extremely enthusiastic. He comes up with this idea: do a good deed for three people and then ask them to do a good deed to three people, thus as the chain grows, it ultimately leads to a friendlier place and populace all round. Unfortunately, not everybody is trustworthy and honest.
I really enjoyed his touching novel: the author really makes the idea come to life, as the diverse characters are completely realistic and the plot complex and layered. Many different stories are going on at once, but they all merge into a single idea. This book should be read by all, although it may not change our way of life, but it will give us all hope.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I first read this book a few years ago - a chance purchase before going on holiday. The premise sounded interesting - a young school boy with a plan to change the world in a very real way by carrying out three considerable good deeds. The philosophy behind his idea - that you have to 'pay the favour forward' to three more people.
This occurs in the background - the main characters almost oblivious to the effects of his projetc until close to the end. Iin the meantime, the story involves an exploration into many facets of the human condition; families, racism, selflessness, unconditional love, the break-up of the family unit..
I defy anyone to read this book and not be touched by the ending. I finished it in two sittings (and got sub-burnt as a result!!) and I can honestly say the sunburn was worth it.
It is one of those books whose philosophy, characters and impact will last for your lifetime. Oh i and I would give the film 3/5 as it really fails to invoke the emotional response of the book.
A must buy!
This occurs in the background - the main characters almost oblivious to the effects of his projetc until close to the end. Iin the meantime, the story involves an exploration into many facets of the human condition; families, racism, selflessness, unconditional love, the break-up of the family unit..
I defy anyone to read this book and not be touched by the ending. I finished it in two sittings (and got sub-burnt as a result!!) and I can honestly say the sunburn was worth it.
It is one of those books whose philosophy, characters and impact will last for your lifetime. Oh i and I would give the film 3/5 as it really fails to invoke the emotional response of the book.
A must buy!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
All I wanted to do after finishing this book was phone someone and talk to them about it. I was in a daze and thought that I must do something, talk to someone, anyone!! I only bought the book to see what it was like before I saw the film. It is so easy to read,as it is in small chapters, which is brilliant for a mum like me, but I couldn't put the thing down. I very rarely cry at books but this had my sobbing and smiling at the same time. As you are reading it feels so real, as if you are looking at something that has really happened. It draws you in and won't let you go. Can it be so easy to change the world, but i speak like all the adults in the story who believe that human nature would not let it happen. But how do we know until we try. I have recommended that everyone i know read it and I feel that it should be used in schools to make children think about their actions. All I can say is FANTASTIC.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
WELL WORTH IT
I think this is quite possibly one of my favourite books and its well worth the money I payed for it.
Published 3 months ago by TBWS Productions
Great idea - great book
Twelve year old Trevor takes his new teacher's assignment seriously when the message on the board says, `Think of an idea for world change and put it into action'. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Algernon Flowers
Pay it Forward
Catherine Ryan Hyde is an accomplished novelist, but with 'Pay it Forward' she dos'nt accomplish a good idea for world change, and then put it into action. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Christine
Pay it forward
I was unlucky to watch the film before I read the book, so unfortunately for me the book was slightly different from the film. It is still a touching and heartwarming book though.
Published on 11 May 2010 by Kari Anne Camursoy
very good read
A very lovely read. If only life could be made better like this. It is a dream perhaps too far for the generally quite selfish humans we live with. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2010 by B VIGLIENGHI
Think Jamie Oliver may have pinched this idea!
Brilliant book which was only marred slightly by the fact that Jamie Oliver has done something recently with his Pass-It-On recipe campaign - nothing wrong with the book but images... Read more
Published on 19 May 2009 by Campbell79
pay it foreward
this is a very thought provoking book but sad too will make you re-think your life highly recommended.
Published on 10 Mar 2009 by Brenda J. Hand
A Good Book
A nice book to read. A little different from the film in some ways, but still touches your heart all the same.
Yes, I liked it and want to read many more of the same.
Yes, I liked it and want to read many more of the same.
Published on 23 Feb 2009 by Penny Bollockia
Heartwarming and Heartbreaking
If you haven't read the book because you have already seen the film, I would still recommend as this is well written, heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by M. Mason
One of my all time favourites
This is an amazing book which is probably written for teenagers. The plot is so stunningly simple. I saw the film and it was rubbish and in no way captured the theme of the book. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2008 by love reading
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