Discussion of The Time of My Life

[Scott]

Please use this topic to discuss the July 2012 book of the month, The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern. Please wait until you have finished the book to read this page because this topic will contain spoilers.

What do you think of the book? Do you recommend it?

I think the style of narration is refreshing. I enjoy the times when she would spend a page narrating something and then say that she has lied to us, the reader. I think that is hilarious.

I also think the premise of the book is very interesting and unique. This idea of one's life being embodied by in some supposed self-help guru of sorts is interesting, funny and allows for quite a few puns.

Anyway, what do you all think? What do you like about the book? What didn't you like? Do you have any favorite lines or quotes from the book?

[trafficschool1234]

This is one of my best collection. I had voted for this book in your contest.

[Daantaat]

I thought it was interesting the way her actions in life were reflected in her Life's appearance; the happier she became and the more satisfied she was in her life, the more her Life would improve in appearance. He went from a pimply, unhappy looking schlub to a handsome and well-groomed, confident looking man by the end of the book. I was a bit disappointed how the ending kind of turned into a "chick-lit" kind of situation: she ends up wearing a disguise, falling into Don's arms and they end up in bed, happily ever after. The ending just seemed a bit cliched to me. Also, I didn't really get the whole thing with her father at the end of the book. There wasn't a real sense of closure for me with the situation between the two of them.

[okcbooklover]

I am having a hard time getting a copy of this book in the US. Any suggestions?

[Asherat by the Sea]

Review of "the Time of My Life"
June 09/2012

This book was a complete failure for me.

“I had always done my best not to reveal anything about myself to my family, even to Riley.”

What is wrong with this woman? Is this what families have degenerated to? I find this “Secret-keeping, silence-is-golden, less-is-more, withdrawal-from-human-contact-is-more-sanitary” behaviour repulsive in the extreme. If you ask me, the protagonist has some incredibly deep-seated internal problems which she is completely incapable of dealing with on her own. There must be several undiagnosed mental health illnesses here.

And the LIES!

Who lies that much? It’s compulsive. I can’t imagine a person being so ashamed of every single thought or action to such a degree that literally everything they say is a lie. I didn’t find it amusing, as I suppose it was intended, I just found it tragic.

Donal was one-sided and completely undeveloped. Essentially a set of muscles and dimples.
Blake was a self-centered, egotistical fantasy that she'd conjured about 'male perfection'.
Her friends seemed more interested in back-stabbing than in anything else.
Her Father hates her.

Terrible.
Enough said.
Sorry about the bluntness of this review, but this book was genuinely TERRIBLE.

~Asher

-- 09 Jun 2012, 21:28 --

I am having a hard time getting a copy of this book in the US. Any suggestions?

Don't bother.
~Asher

[Fran]

@Asher
I am on the floor laughing at your review. Probably only SKM here would understand why I find it so amusing, & he's off misbehaving in the West for the weekend, and it would be unfair of me to say anything else until everyone else has posted their opinions.
By the way I haven't read the book & won't be reading it.

[amandawas]

I can't get into this book. I'm about 100 pages in and her negativity is driving me insane. I think I will have to skip this one.

[Asherat by the Sea]

@Asher
I am on the floor laughing at your review. Probably only SKM here would understand why I find it so amusing, & he's off misbehaving in the West for the weekend, and it would be unfair of me to say anything else until everyone else has posted their opinions.
By the way I haven't read the book & won't be reading it.

OMG Fran, it was torture getting through that book! At least its done....and it only took me a night; but it's one night I'll never get back!

Cheers for now
~asher
P.S. who's SKM?

[Fran]

@Asher
I am on the floor laughing at your review. Probably only SKM here would understand why I find it so amusing, & he's off misbehaving in the West for the weekend, and it would be unfair of me to say anything else until everyone else has posted their opinions.
By the way I haven't read the book & won't be reading it.

OMG Fran, it was torture getting through that book! At least its done....and it only took me a night; but it's one night I'll never get back!

Cheers for now
~asher
P.S. who's SKM?

The one the only StephenKingman (SKM for short ) .... My honorable, esteemed and highly appreciated fellow moderator, sole proprietor, barman & chief chuckerouter in The Online Book Club Pub, the self proclaimed expert on all things horrific & holder of the title for "most scary, horrific & nightmare inducing avatars". All round good guy & specialised subject expert on the life and works of Stephen King.

[StephenKingman]

The one the only StephenKingman (SKM for short ) .... My honorable, esteemed and highly appreciated fellow moderator, sole proprietor, barman & chief chuckerouter in The Online Book Club Pub, the self proclaimed expert on all things horrific & holder of the title for "most scary, horrific & nightmare inducing avatars". All round good guy & specialised subject expert on the life and works of Stephen King.

Aw cheers for the big-up, Fran

Chief cucker-outer? Its not a skill i can teach sadly so you will have to just scowl and glare at any scumbags, no bother to you

After reading the thread, Im presuming you find his review funny because of the similarities with my attack on the esteemed Helene Hanff?? Yeah its pretty much a carbon copy, we were both angry at the female lead and questioned her motived, maybe Ash should read 84 Charing Cross Road so at least one other person here doesnt like it

[Fran]

The one the only StephenKingman (SKM for short ) .... My honorable, esteemed and highly appreciated fellow moderator, sole proprietor, barman & chief chuckerouter in The Online Book Club Pub, the self proclaimed expert on all things horrific & holder of the title for "most scary, horrific & nightmare inducing avatars". All round good guy & specialised subject expert on the life and works of Stephen King.

Aw cheers for the big-up, Fran

Chief cucker-outer? Its not a skill i can teach sadly so you will have to just scowl and glare at any scumbags, no bother to you

After reading the thread, Im presuming you find his review funny because of the similarities with my attack on the esteemed Helene Hanff?? Yeah its pretty much a carbon copy, we were both angry at the female lead and questioned her motived, maybe Ash should read 84 Charing Cross Road so at least one other person here doesnt like it

I was thinking more of the author's parent & the ability to lie convincingly

[Asherat by the Sea]

.... maybe Ash should read 84 Charing Cross Road so at least one other person here doesnt like it

Will do SKM! I'm not afraid to express my opinion, no matter how unpopular it may be.
Also, that was QUITE the high praise-opener from ms. Fran! I hope she's on your Christmas card list. *winks*

~Asher

[StephenKingman]

Oh for sure, i get Fran's Xmas card in January and fill it in in case I forget the next December!

If you do get a chance to read Charing Cross Road, there is a thread on it in the second forum of the board and we would love to hear your opinion

[Schmunzelmonster]

Thanks Asherat for putting in words what I couldn't/wouldn't.

The book is a great dissapointment to me. Ms. Ahern usually delievers well crafted stories and characters with lots of imagination. Her books are mostly set in the real wold, but have a magical touch to them. That's why I love reading them. Or rather need to say loved. The premise sounded intriguing which is why I nominated it, but she just can't pull it off. It just feels very forced.

[ralphlaurenusa]

There is Jacqui, a cleaning woman who knows more by intuition than most of us learn by analysis. Jacqui has decided to finish high school and go to college.