The theme of morality, and the notion of a character coming good at the end is a common ideology that Cecelia applies to her books. She frequently writes about how people are influenced into changing their lives for the better, whether that is through other people, places or experiences. The Gift is different to it's predecessors because, although Lou does go on a journey that changes him into a better person, the outcome is not the happy ending we are so used to getting from Cecelia's novels. Unbeknownst to Lou is that decision would change his life as he knew it and time will soon become precious as he receives a huge wake up call all the while feeling anxious about Gabe. What will he learn? What values will he be left with? The book's opening is not particularly gripping, especially if compared to Cecelia's previous books which have much stronger first chapters in them. The novel features a story within a story, and starts with a fourteen-year-old boy throwing a turkey through his fathers living room window on Christmas morning as he watches him enjoy the day with his new family. He is then taken to a police station where the officer there tells him Lou's story, in a bid to teach him a lesson. Life goes on, until one day, before Christmas, he meets Gabe, a homeless man - the good ghost from the tale - that changes his cosmos completely....

The Gift Quotes by Cecelia Ahern - Goodreads The Gift Quotes by Cecelia Ahern - Goodreads

But soon Lou begins to regret helping Gabe. His very presence unsettles Lou and how does Gabe appear to be in two places at the same time? You know those books that leave you stripped bare emotionally? That have you sat, weeping, questioning every choice you have made or are about to make? Time is more precious than gold, more precious than diamonds, more precious than oil or any valuable treasures. It is time that we do not have enough of; it is time that causes the war within our hearts, and so we must spend it wisely.”As Christmas draws closer, Lou starts to understand the value of time. He sees what is truly important in life yet at the same time he learns the harshest lesson of all. I really enjoyed this book, if mostly for the narrator. The story was based around Christmas time and we get a look at the joys of Christmas celebrations Dublin style. The imagery is just right and although the minor characters are not written in too much detail, it doesn’t really matter. The focus is mainly on Lou and Gabe.

THE GIFT | Kirkus Reviews

Time is more precious than gold, more precious than diamonds, more precious than oil or any valuable treasures. It is time of which we do not have enough; it is time that causes the war within our hearts, and so we must spend it wisely. It's not a happy Christmas book, its not about much more than a man and his poor choices, and being given a little time to figure out his priorities, it was beautiful and painful and funny, and will make you reflect on your own choices... Gabe, however, sees something good in Lou, and despite the fact that Lou is rude to him, he seems adamant to make him see the error of his ways and help him any way he can. The interesting thing about this book is that the protagonist is not necessarily likeable and can be difficult to empathize with, yet we, as a reader, find ourselves willing him to succeed in improving himself. Personally, I continued to dislike Lou throughout the full book, and yet I found myself completely invested in him, and found I was rooting for him for his family’s sake rather than his. This is a story about people who find out who they are. About people who are unraveled and whose cores are revealed to all who count. And those who count are finally revealed to them. Just in time.”The story is centered around Lou Suffern, a workaholic who never spends quality time with his family, and whose multi-tasking leaves much to be desired. Immediately, the reader understands that Lou is not a warm person, and I personally took an instant dislike to him. The Gift focuses on the idea of time and how we spend it. Do you have any tips for managing our time around such a busy time of year? A side note to the wife in this story: If your husband has an affair with the nanny, leave him before he has time for an angel to visit him cause he really isn't a nice person.