There are too many story lines in this book, that appear and go below the surface in strange ways and are too loosely connected. With that, there are also too many characters, which therefore do not come to life: they are largely card board characters and stereo-types; in other cases (Rose) the author seems to have tinkered and the character is unrealistic. Actually, the whole book seems insincere; it isn't heartfelt, it doesn't feel real. ( )

Ich versteh bis heute nicht, warum ich auf diesen Autor steh, aber ich mag seine Bücher einfach. Diesmal wiederholen sich die Themen schon ziemlich - Asien, die Wichtigkeit einer "intakten" Familie, Verlust von Verwandten, die Suche nach der großen, wahren einzigen Liebe (war sie das? Gibts noch eine? etc). Und die Sache mit der Familie die so wichtig is, nervt. Aber dadurch dass er es immer so darstellt, dass er über sich selbst lachen kann/sich lustig machen kann, ist es eigentlich nett zu lesen. Um im Endeffekt stellt sich ja auch immer heraus, dass es, entgegen der Meinung der Hauptperson nicht nur eine einzige echte Liebe gibt im Leben und nicht nur eine "richtige" Familienkombi mit Vater - Mutter - Kind. Das versöhnt mich dann wohl immer wieder.

Kind of disconnected feeling about this character. He seems to just coast through life, completely unsure of himself and the people around him. He mourns for his now dead wife. He has placed her upon the highest pedestal. In his memory, she has lost every flaw. She is perfect. His friends try to break him out of it, but he can’t let go. Eventually he finds out that his wife had affairs and generally had a poor opinion of him. That snaps him out of it. He doesn’t end up with Jackie, but begins to accept her for who she is. At first, he is very put off by her hick ways and crass manners. But she has a fine mind and knows who she is and is true to that. Alfie on the other hand, has no idea who he is and therefore has no ideals or set personality other than as a social drifter of sorts.

It's OK. I am a bit sick of the helpless 'woe is me' characters in this author's books. Alfie's students made me laugh at times though. ( )

This is the story of Alfie Budd, whose wife (Rose) died early in their marriage. Alfie is now back in England (from Hong Kong) dealing with his parents' separation and his grandmother's illness, as well as his own overwhelming sense of loss and unwavering belief that he has had his one and only chance at true love.

Alfie teaches English as a second language, and gets involved with several of his students. He also becomes friends with George Chang (a Tai Chi practitioner) and George's family. Ultimately, he finds love with the school janitor, a single mother who needs Alfie's help to prepare for her A levels in English.

This is light read, and it's easy to develop real empathy for Alfie and his disjointed family. I hated the ending.

SPOILER ALERT

Alfie may be back on track with his new love (Jackie) and renewed determination to be a writer, but what about Jackie? Did she finish the university courses that meant so much to her? That's left unsaid. At the end, it was only Alfie's story and quest that the author paid any attention to. ( )