"A room without books is like a body without a soul." ~ Cicero.

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." ~ Cicero.
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." ~ Groucho Marx

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I remembered the rainbows I have lost

I finished reading "Where Rainbows End" by Cecelia Ahern, a few days back. I had bought this book from a cheap bookstore in Golpark, the same day I got myself "Johnny Gone Down".

This 592-paged novel is written entirely in an epistolary fashion and it comprises of only letters, e-mails, online instant messages, texts, birthday greetings, travel postcards and some newspaper articles. This was my first meeting with the epistolary structure and the idea appealed to me- maybe because there was a time when I loved writing letters- maybe because there was a time when I loved messaging.

Cecelia had intended this story to be a tale of fate and destiny - how two soul mates journey through life and finally find their ways to each other amidst myriad changes of fortune. But, I felt, at some points the story became a bit forced. The way the authoress was molding the two journeys was often becoming obvious and predictable. This beautiful story could have been more beautiful- had Cecelia kept certain things subtle- had she made certain surprises more incredible and certain twists more ironical- had she made certain flow of events less predictable.

The cobweb that destiny often spins by bringing people together and taking them apart and keeping love alive through ups and downs has been well portrayed by Cecelia. But it could have been better.

The writing at places is beautiful and at places pretty mediocre. Of all the characters, the reader obviously befriends Rosie and Alex, the two principal ones. I also loved the characters of Katie and Rosie's parents. One with Rosie's kind of destiny indeed needs parents like those. The relation between Rosie and Katie also earns a special place in the reader's mind.

Of all the letters, emails and messages the novel is made up of, Alex's letter that reached Rosie after so many years and Mr. Dunne's letter that reached Rosie after his death were the two that touched me the most! I read the latter a number of times!
Some exchanges between Rosie and Stephanie were very moving. I could identify with the friendship that they shared.

All in all, it is an enriching story for emotional and romantic people who believe in soul mates and who have still not lost faith in love!! Those of us who know how destiny plays games with people who love each other are bound to relate to this story.

I think younger readers will love this story more!
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4 comments:

  1. StephTheBookwormJune 28, 2010 at 12:54 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day! :) I love this book. It's one of my all time favorites. I give it to all my friends as gifts.

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  2. paalokJune 28, 2010 at 10:22 PM

    Yes, it is a book that one can gift friends -- thanks for the visit.. lets kp in tch!

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  3. koyelAugust 6, 2010 at 3:38 AM

    Do not let the rainbows end… if rainbows signify, hopes, dreams and love. Yes, there should be rainbows in everyone’s life or at least they must dream to have one without putting any condition to having it but dreaming about it and hoping to have one in real life.
    I just finished reading “Where rainbows end” and the above lines just flowed from my mind. I really loved the book. Rosie. Alex, Katie- they all seemed so real. I could almost feel Rosie, flesh and soul. She is such a nice person with her hopes, dreams, and fears and insecurities.
    The book has been penned in a nice and interesting format. I liked the format of using emails and notes and letters. The format has left open scopes for the reader to imagine so many things- conversations, thoughts, encounters between such lovely people.
    The book also has described beautifully the great relations that Alex and Rosie, Rosie and Ruby and Steph and Rosie shared. It felt so nice to read about such great friendships.
    Although Rosie kept on accusing herself in the beginning about not being a good mother but I feel that as a mother she has done a fabulous job by the way Katie grew up as a lovely young lady with such true feelings and respect for her mother and other important people in her life. I could also identify with the anguish of Rosie for becoming a mother at such an early age and giving up her dreams. But in the end when she realizes the value of having Katie in her life I realized what true motherhood is. It is universal and transcends time and eternity.
    The novel has beautifully and poignantly described the journey of Rosie and Alex, their childhood, quest for love and recognition, their fears and vulnerability, their achievements and setbacks, and at the end when they really find their rainbows.
    I hope Cecelia gives us more of such rainbows which can keep us still believing in the power of love and friendship and the joy they bring along.

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  4. paalokAugust 6, 2010 at 6:55 PM

    so glad that u liked it!!

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