The Gift

By: Cecelia Ahern

Narrated by: Mark Meadows

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Everyday Lou Suffern battled with the clock. He always had two places to be at the same time. He always had two things to do at once. When asleep he dreamed. In between dreams, he ran through the events of the day while making plans for the next. When at home with his wife and family, his mind was always someplace else.

On his way into work one early winter morning, Lou meets Gabe, a homeless man sitting outside the office building. Intrigued by him and on discovering that he could also be very useful to have around, Lou gets Gabe a job in the post room.

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?

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.

This is a story about people who not unlike parcels, hide secrets.They cover themselves in layers until the right person unwraps them and discovers what's inside. Sometimes you have to be unravelled in order to find out who you really are. For Lou Suffern, that took time.

©2008 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Thought provoking read

I loved it. It made you stop and re~evaluate life. Work life balance reminder. Invoking

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable recommended read

Really enjoyable story that has a common thread of meaning for us all. So engrossed just kept on reading.
Highly recommend for a light hearted interesting story with a potent life message

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

A Christmas Carol without the charm

So blooming worthy and oh so predictable. I wanted to like it and kept right on to the end but found myself more and more irritated.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A warm Christmas story

A 'nice' sweet Christmas story but really.... Lou was a very unpleasant man who thought the world evolved around him , why should he have been any gift ? His wife , Ruth , was a clever , bright women who would have left him years ago .. have some respect women! If you want to listen to fluff ..go for it .
The story was well read and I enjoyed the readers telling but not for me

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Time Waster

I still can't believe I wasted so much time listening to this terrible book.
It's just about the worst book I have ever read or listened to.
I kept listening on thinking the real story or point would soon make an entrance - but no.
Don't waste your precious time with this book.
I'm sorry I stuck with it to the end but as I'm not a quiter - just this once I now wish I was

The Gift.

Gave up part way through, can not recommend this book. .I may return it later

mediocre

The story was a predictable cliche. There were some interesting parts but personally the narrators voice was the best thing about it.

Nice surprise

Not sure why I bought this book but very glad I did, it was witty in places well written and thought out and in the narration was brilliant might be the accent but could listen to the voice all day everyday I am very glad I did get this book and enjoyed it so much gave me something to think about Well worth a listen

brilliant

really loved listening to the gift.
It was true to life and at times quite sad and heart warming.

Brilliant

Was a bit unsure to begin with but soon got to love the characters and then couldn’t stop listening til the end overall thought it was a brilliant story loved it