The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (Film Tie-in)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
The eponymous hero of The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud is a good boy; an American teenager who works hard at school, is good at sport and loves his mum and his little brother Sam. And then one terrible day, tragically, he finds himself responsible for Sam's death. Charlie dies too for a brief moment but is brought back to life by the skill of a paramedic. From that moment on, Charlie makes a sacrificial decision to live his life in the past. Until that is, he meets tough but beautiful yachtswoman Tess and he has to rethink life and death.
Ben Sherwood's novel is an unusual love story set against a background of bereavement and grief. Sherwood is a former TV news producer and journalist so not surprisingly this, his second novel, is perfectly well written, has attractive characters and a compelling story line. Yet, disappointingly, it feels one-dimensional, wholly predictable and ultimately, unsatisfying.
Rights to the film version were sold even before The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud was published and perhaps herein lies the answer. It is easy to visualise on celluloid: a feel-good, light romance with equal measure of tears and smiles, not too demanding. Tess could have been written for Julia Roberts.
Maybe it wasn't written as a film script, but what's missing is what could have made this a great book. After all, the central theme affects us all: what happens after death and, perhaps far more importantly, what happens to the living, left behind to mourn and cope? If you're looking for meaningful insights and serious answers, this is sadly not the place to find them. --Carey Green
Daily Mail Paperbacks review, Friday 21st May 2004
'This is a story of life and death, beautifully written with a gentle simplicity which lends it great emotional power...'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When teenager Charlie and his little brother Sam borrow a neighbour's car without her knowledge, the result is a fatal crash and a near death experience for Charlie. Unfortunately his brother wasn't so lucky.
Unable to move forward after Sam's untimely death, Charlie takes a job as caretaker of the cemetary where Sam is buried. He's caught up in the past.
Tess, training for a solo sailing trip around the globe is strong, independant and has always been unable to find true love.
When they meet they feel an over-powering connection. This is a mesmerising story of an unusual romance set against the backdrop of a small New England community.
Issues of grief, remembrance and the afterlife are all explored in this story. Charlie is still tied to his grief and promises made to his brother, Tess is in need of her father's guidance but he's already passed on and is beyond where she can reach him. There's plenty of action too as Tess sails straight into the eye of a storm.
Ben Sherwood's writing is poignant and the tale is told with a magical simplicity. It's a story in which miracles are suddenly possible and the prose tantalises you. I haven't been this swept away by a love story since reading the Bridges of Madison County.
It is a wonderful and moving read.
Unable to move forward after Sam's untimely death, Charlie takes a job as caretaker of the cemetary where Sam is buried. He's caught up in the past.
Tess, training for a solo sailing trip around the globe is strong, independant and has always been unable to find true love.
When they meet they feel an over-powering connection. This is a mesmerising story of an unusual romance set against the backdrop of a small New England community.
Issues of grief, remembrance and the afterlife are all explored in this story. Charlie is still tied to his grief and promises made to his brother, Tess is in need of her father's guidance but he's already passed on and is beyond where she can reach him. There's plenty of action too as Tess sails straight into the eye of a storm.
Ben Sherwood's writing is poignant and the tale is told with a magical simplicity. It's a story in which miracles are suddenly possible and the prose tantalises you. I haven't been this swept away by a love story since reading the Bridges of Madison County.
It is a wonderful and moving read.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book six months ago and I still cannot stop thinking about it, in fact I read it in one night. This is a light book but is original, gripping and very moving although I cried alot it left me feeling good about life, on a more personal note I lost my brother a few years ago and maybe this book was wishful thinking on my part. A surprising twist at the end as well, anyway i loved this book and will definately read more books from this auther.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This novel is one of the most unusual love stories. It really opens your eyes (and fills them with tears too) to the presence of love in our lives not just the feelings of love for a partner but for our siblings also, whether they are present or absent. It's told in a really tender manner, and although it's a short read (like some of the other critics on this page, I read the entire book in one day whilst on holidays), I remembered this book the most!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
brilliant
I seen the movie and knew I had to read the book, reading the book made me think about my own life and that you should let go and move on as without letting go you never move on so... Read more
Published 8 days ago by RachaelLChapman
Charlie St Cloud..
I watched the film first as it had the gorgeous Zac Efron starring and enjoyed that so I thought I'd try the book, it was slightly different, as it always is, however I still... Read more
Published 1 month ago by DodgyDeary
One sitting read
My grand daughter said she thought I would enjoy this book and she was right. I loved the characters, the setting and the subject. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. P. Fawcett
Better than the movie
I fell in love with the movie but maybe Zac Efron had a part to play in that. I finally got round to reading the book and i loved it even more. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sal.carter
Nice little twist
I read this book in less than a day, flying through the pages and really getting absorbed with the narrative in the process. Read more
Published 11 months ago by E. Murphy
Charlie St Cloud
This book is a very nice read. It is a easy book to read in a day as you dont want to put it down. The charecters are brilliant, and the book is written as if you are there with... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ashleigh
Brilliant!!!!
I read this book after being dragged to the cinema to watch the film by my teenage daughter (big Zac Effron fan!!!). Read more
Published 13 months ago by jojo
Moving and Memorable
A very enchanting and peaceful book to read. It didn't take long to read but definately worth it. Charlie St Cloud is like the mystery man that most women dream of and the story... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Sharon, Ireland
Pretty average
As "love stories" go it was fairly hard to get in to, and even when I did it didn't really grip me. A fairly basic and predictable storyline, and I found myself reading on to see... Read more
Published 13 months ago by CorinnaRae
Loved it
A little different to my normal read, but wonderfully written - this book took me through all sorts of emotions throughout. Would certainly recommend.
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. E. Webb
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