Heartwarming and uplifting novel examining love in all its guises.
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (Film Tie-in)
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Amazon 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
Review
'This is a story of life and death, beautifully written with a gentle simplicity which lends it great emotional power...' -- Daily Mail Paperbacks review, Friday 21st May 2004
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Ms. X. Waite
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
By "debbieasha"
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
By D. Byrne
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart warming and brilliant
From start to finish this is a beautiful story.
It is heart warming and sad, Charlie and Sam have such a strong connection. A brotherly bond That even death can't break. Read more
It is heart warming and sad, Charlie and Sam have such a strong connection. A brotherly bond That even death can't break. Read more
Published 12 days ago by NIKKI
4.0 out of 5 stars
Only a little Nicholas Sparks-y, very enjoyable read that surprised me
I'm not a believer in anything supernatural, but I did enjoy this aspect of the book immensely. Even without it, the story of a man unable to move on from a traumatic past, stuck... Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. J. Noyes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do you believe in miracles?
I'd picked this to read as I'd recently watched the movie which I quite enjoyed. Normally, I'd have read the book first and then picked the movie to bits afterwards with all the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bookboodle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
This is such a beautiful story, one I'm sure I'll read again. The book was gripping and surprised me all the way through. I now look forward to watching the film.
Published 4 months ago by Victoria Simcock
4.0 out of 5 stars
Woah
As much as I enjoyed this book, there seemed to be something missing. I hated the ending I thought it was too blunt and rushed... yes, I cried... but who wouldn't. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Marnie Parr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moving...
I loved this book, it moved me to tears on more than one occasion. Its probably not the most original, im sure i have read books and watched films that have a similar plot but... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jadey
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Death and Life of Charlie St.Cloud
I bought this book when it first came out in paperback, It was a Richard & Judy Summer book of the month read. Read more
Published 6 months ago by LizBB
5.0 out of 5 stars
just lovely
this was a really lovely book. The protrayl of brotherly love, tinged by guilt and duty were just perfect. Read more
Published 8 months ago by jools
4.0 out of 5 stars
Leeds Combined Arts Review
We read this book in our reading group between March and June 2011. A great light reading book. Well written and enjoyed, but the group felt there was too much technicality with... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Leeds Combined Arts Book Reading Group
4.0 out of 5 stars
Charlie St. Cloud
A good read and a real "feel good" book despite it having a sad storyline. It is a meaningful idea with enjoyable characters, even for the sceptical
Published 11 months ago by Dougie
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