BY LUKE PATON

 

Instead of slurping down a cold Guinness on St Patrick’s Day in 2014, you could try curling up with a familiar favourite by one of Ireland’s most popular and relevant authors of today.

Cecelia Ahern’s ‘P.S. I Love You’ was first published 10 years ago and it kickstarted a career that has seen her produce nine further bestsellers and create a highly rated TV series in the US. The book was even adapted in to a movie with the Oscar-winning Hilary Swank taking the lead role.

But if your only exposure to this material is through the okay-ish film, then banish all your judgements and revisit the origin of a beloved classic of the genre – and perhaps keep a tissue or two on your bedside table.

This is the story of Holly and Gerry. Childhood sweethearts who can’t imagine the thought of living without each other – until Gerry’s life is taken by a devastating illness. But Gerry comes back to Holly through a series of notes he has left behind for her, carefully guiding her in to a new life without him – each one signed, ‘P.S. I Love You.’ Sure, it would be easy to dismiss the trials and tribulations of the plot with accusations of sentimentality and shallowness – as many critics have done in the past – but to do so is to ignore the funny and emotional journey Holly leads us through and to miss the message of the book entirely.

It is the perfect read for the upcoming holiday, set in a romanticised Ireland that will have you longing to pack your bags for that long-awaiting trip to the Emerald Isle.

 

This book was published by Harper and is available to buy for £7.99. It can also be borrowed from The Hive as well as other Worcestershire libraries. Click here to check availability and check it out.