Reviewed by Chun Yin Wah
An unusual writing style that propels Love, Rosie (Cecelia Ahern, 2005, Hyperion, New York, 488 pages) seems refreshing at first, but soon turns annoying.
Previously published as Rosie Dunne, the story emerges as the characters communicate with each other through letters, notes, emails and instant messages. For a few pages, I enjoyed this unusual technique. But once deeper into the story, I found it bothersome. In reality, no sane person sends instant messages that last for several pages. Ultimately, reading so many missives proves exhausting.
As the story begins, seven-year-old Rosie sends a note to Alex, her best friend at school, inviting him to her birthday party. Rosie and Alex are such good friends that Rosie doesn’t mind when Alex has a girlfriend.
At age 18, one year before high-school graduation, Alex moves away to Boston with his parents. But then Rosie’s accepted to study hotel management at Boston College, and Alex aims to pursue medicine at Harvard.
Alex plans a return to take Rosie to the debs at the end of August. But he misses his plane, and Rosie goes to the debs with Brian, another schoolmate. Disappointment with Alex prompts too much of a good time with Brian, and Rosie becomes pregnant.
Deciding to keep the baby, Rosie surrenders her hopes to study in Boston. To support the child, she works first as a secretary and then in a small hotel, marries a guy who keeps cheating on her and finally decides to leave him.
Meanwhile, Alex graduates, marries a girl from medical school, has a son, sees his marriage fail, remarries to his first girlfriend and has another son. All this happens as Alex and Rosie stay in touch.
All along, Rosie knows that she loves Alex, but Alex needs many years to realize that he loves her. Returning to celebrate Rosie’s 30th birthday, he leaves her a letter to express his love. Rosie’s estranged husband hides the meaningful message -- until 20 years later. By then, Rosie’s parents have died, leaving a house that she converts into a bed-and-breakfast place. Could a happy ending still emerge?
Love, Rosie highlights missed chances, how best friends can develop something deeper and that it’s never too late. The plot’s interesting, but a conventional writing style might have created a more enjoyable book.
Approval rating: 50 per cent
For more information: www.HyperionBooks.com or www.ceceliaahearnbooks.com
(November 16, 2007)
ARCHIVES
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Cecelia Ahern gives an
unusual
account of love
through the years.
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