Book Review: One Hundred Names

I have not posted a review for some time, but this is not because I have not read any books. To be honest I have read several books from the last time I have posted a review. I just could not bring myself to write about those other books for some reason. Perhaps some other time I will. For now, I will write about this book entitled One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern because it caught my attention as a good book to start the year. I am intentionally writing vague descriptions of the characters and the plot because if I write anything too specific, the intrigue in the plot might be ruined for the reader. 


It has been a while since I read one of her works and I have to say that this book is one of her best, if not the best. As you may have guessed, the book has a list of names of one hundred people. But more than the people on the list, the book is about the reporter Kitty Logan who sets out to write a story about these people. After her career has taken a huge tumble along with her dearest friend dying, Kitty has been at a loss on how to go about herself. Meeting the people on the list could not have come at a better time for her. Not only did they help her resurrect her career, but they gave her a new perspective on life. More importantly a new perspective on people.


The book began at a slow pace for me that I almost gave up on it. But as they say, patience is a virtue. So I read along. As the book progressed, the story picks up and the mystery of the list is revealed as a story that her dear friend Constance wanted to write about. And as a tribute piece to Constance, she writes the story that her friend never got to write, which is about the people on the list. As Kitty tries to figure out what story was meant to be written about the people on the list, the reader is taken through her journey to get to know these people. And as she goes through her journey, it becomes clear what the story was meant to be. Each person had a life, and a story to tell. Kitty figures this out soon as well. The good thing about this storyline is that it teaches you to think with a different perspective. And I think this is a lesson everyone at a dead end needs. 


So because of the several people she needed to meet, of course there will be several stories. This branching technique in the book gives the reader various points of view on life without flooding the book with too many storylines that the main plot gets lost. On the contrary, the varying storylines from the different people acted as catalysts to the heroine's journey in getting through a rough patch in her life.  Since she had nothing left, she was determined to prove that she could be someone again. This takes her through her journey and gets her her life back again. Much like in real life, when you are in a rough patch or a bump in the road, you look for other ways to solve the problem. And more often than not these ways give you eye-opening moments.



                                       

                                                               One Hundred Names

                                                                             by

                                                                      Cecelia Ahern



The adventure that Kitty goes through as she uncovers the story might lead the reader to lose sight of her initial dilemma. But I think that was part of the point of going through all those trips. Sometimes you need to forget about yourself and think of others to find yourself again. After each of the characters' issues have been resolved, the heroine's personal conflict is left open--and honestly forgotten-- but a surprise by one of the names has solved it for the heroine. The ending was left open, but it implies that she has found closure for herself at least. 


In reality, you cannot just sit and try to resolve one problem alone while life passes by. You have to be along with the ride. One Hundred Names is about making mistakes and learning from them. It shows you how one person's action can influence others and vice versa. It is about teaching yourself and learning from others while others do the same from you. Simply, it is about how to pick yourself up and carrying on with what you have learned.


To those who have gone through or are going through a rough time in their lives right now, I say cheer up and move along because it will get better. This book merely shows you the reality that it will and that it does. You only need to see it. If you can't, then learn from Kitty Logan and try a different perspective altogether. 



To Ms Cecelia Ahern, I have forever been a fan of your work, and I think this is one of your most memorable and emotionally engaging books yet. For that, thank you.


To those who see this book on the shelves and are contemplating on reading it, I recommend that you do so because it will teach you more than you probably already know about life.



Dani

January 27, 2016 - 2:47pm

"A single stumble does not mean it is the end, but that something good is around the bend."