Sugar
13th August 2006, 21:40
As I have mentioned this in a few other places, I thought I ought to post a review.
Although short (at just under 90 pages) this is an incredibly moving novel.
Oscar is 10 years old and is in hospital where he has been receiving treatment for cancer. One of the "Ladies in Pink", women who visit the children in the hospital, recommends that Oscar lives 10 years in each of the next 12 days (until the end of the year) and writes to God at the end of each day to tell Him what he has learnt. Oscar's relationship with Granny Rose (as he calls this "Lady in Pink"), his family and fellow patients develop throughout the book.
Schmitt writes with a huge amount of sensitivity and it is easy to believe that he is 10 years old.
Despite the sad subject, there are many moments of beauty and humour, and I was amazed to find myself laughing aloud on more than one occassion.
I first heard about this from "The Bookseller", where it was described as a real tear-jerker. I won't say I went quite that far, but I could understand how it might affect some people in that way.
If you are trying to cope with serious or terminal illness, there are many uplifting moments that could really help. This could almost be seen as a self-help guide.
Although short (at just under 90 pages) this is an incredibly moving novel.
Oscar is 10 years old and is in hospital where he has been receiving treatment for cancer. One of the "Ladies in Pink", women who visit the children in the hospital, recommends that Oscar lives 10 years in each of the next 12 days (until the end of the year) and writes to God at the end of each day to tell Him what he has learnt. Oscar's relationship with Granny Rose (as he calls this "Lady in Pink"), his family and fellow patients develop throughout the book.
Schmitt writes with a huge amount of sensitivity and it is easy to believe that he is 10 years old.
Despite the sad subject, there are many moments of beauty and humour, and I was amazed to find myself laughing aloud on more than one occassion.
I first heard about this from "The Bookseller", where it was described as a real tear-jerker. I won't say I went quite that far, but I could understand how it might affect some people in that way.
If you are trying to cope with serious or terminal illness, there are many uplifting moments that could really help. This could almost be seen as a self-help guide.