In a Thousand Different Ways by Cecelia Ahern (HarperCollins UK)

A touching, warm, and moving story about Alice who sees colours around people. Colours. Dancing around their heads and their bodies. Happy colours, sad colours. She feels them, and whatever they’re feeling, she feels herself. Everyone is completely transparent under her gaze.

The novel follows her life from a difficult childhood to self-discovery and the happy ending that the reader anticipates throughout.

Alice initially wants to isolate herself from everyone; she lives in solitude, which brings her even more sadness and disappointment. Slowly, with the help of true friends and nature, which never fails to heal, she learns to control her gift and live her own life.

The characters are completely human, with a wide range of emotions and relatable situations. 

If you don’t feel your own pain, you cannot recognise it in others. Our own suffering can cultivate the ability to help others.

Cecelia Ahern is a master storyteller, and I thoroughly enjoyed this outstanding book.

5/5