Book Review: Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern
Rosie Dunne and Alex Stewart have been friends since they were 5 years old. Years later Alex and his family move to Boston. Rosie plans to follow him there but something happens which forces Rosie to abandon her plans.
As the years go by, the pair keep in regular contact but their friendship is put under tremendous strain through a variety of things.
Are the pair destined to ever be together or will they always be just best friends?
Following on from Cecelia Ahern’s hugely successful debut, PS, I Love You, I was always going to be wary that her second novel (and subsequent novels) wouldn’t live up to the hype. Thankfully any wariness was dispelled pretty quickly as Where Rainbows End is a fabulous story. So good, I’ve now read it twice. I find I form a better opinion of a book on the second reading for some reason.
Where Rainbows End is written in an incredibly unique way. It’s written through a series of letters, instant messages and emails and that’s the whole book. When I first read it I was worried we wouldn’t get to know the characters properly but, surprisingly, we get to know the characters better this way as they reveal their inner-most feelings in the letters, emails, etc.
I loved Rosie Dunne, and in turn, Alex, too. To like this novel you have got to like both of the main characters as they are featured the heaviest, writing notes and emails and things to each other. I couldn’t help feeling for the pair of them and hoping that, for once, fate would allow them to be together. Even though there was a lot thrown in their way, their friendship still remained and I loved how Cecelia managed to keep that up. I love that they didn’t drift apart, even through the rough times.
There are also emails between the other characters we meet in the book, Katie, Rosie’s daughter; Toby, Katie’s best friend; Ruby, Rosie’s friend; Stephanie, Rosie’s sister; Kevin, Rosie’s brother; Rosie’s parents; as well as Alex’s son Josh. Cecelia manages to weave the story and all of the emails/notes in perfectly well and the book flows easily.
Where Rainbows End is the ultimate love story. It goes on for decades, which makes it sound long-winded, but it’s not. It also doesn’t drag at all, which it could have easily have done especially in the way it’s written. It really is an immense book and is well worth a read. Cecelia is an outstanding writer and her books are like fairytales for grown-ups! I can’t praise Where Rainbows End enough, it really is that good.
Rating: 5/5
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September 17th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I loved this book, in fact I love all of Cecelia Ahern’s books. Glad you enjoyed the book.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I’ve tried to read this several times but just couldn’t get on with the email/letters style of it, I must persevere one day though! Great review.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I absolutely totally so agree with you. I adore her books and this one was no exception. Everytime I read one of her books I’d say “That’s my favourite one” but then I read the next one and I’d go “No, this one” and so on. She’s definitely my favourite writer. Met her a couple of times and talked to her on the phone. She’s such a darling, you wouldn’t believe it. I hope she never ever stops writing!
September 17th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Was this book also called “Rosie Dunne” and “Love, Rosie” ? It has three titles? I also loved this book, but had a hard time getting into it. Once I did, I loved it and would definitely pick it up again. Although, the different titles is mucho confusing. Maybe it’s just the different titles in different countries.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I’ve read a couple of Cecelia Ahern’s books and this is by far my most favorite. I loved this book! I thought that it was incredibly written and thought she did a wonderful job of keeping me interested in getting to know Rosie and Alex. Because the book went on for so long, I didn’t think I’d be able to stand reading through it all but I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a great book and your review does it justice. Good job
September 17th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Yes it was also called both of those. I think those are US titles if I’m not mistaken!
September 18th, 2009 at 5:04 am
I bought this book when I saw the good reviews on amazon. Hopefully will get a chance to read it soon.
March 26th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I think I am a masochist where Ahern is concerned. I have read and disliked every single one of her books, yet I continue to buy each as they’re released in the hope that she’ll find her mojo and improve.
PS, I Love You was one of the worst, terribly written, trying too hard novels I’ve ever had the misfortune to read. I do not understand why it received the praise it did. “Where Rainbows End” (horrible title!) was probably the book I disliked to least though it was contrived in many ways.
However, millions disagree with me
September 12th, 2010 at 2:26 am
I agree with Kay. I just don’t understand the hype. I found the concept of PS I Love You morbid. And Where Rainbows End was worse. I can’t even remember much of it now, but I read about 6 pages and then gave up. I found the love between the lovers unconvincing.
October 18th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
I’ve read this but it was a while ago so wouldn’t mind rereading it.