Heartwarming and Heartbreaking
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If you haven't read the book because you have already seen the film, I would still recommend as this is well written, heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. I cried like a baby at the end of the book!
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One of my all time favourites
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This is an amazing book which is probably written for teenagers. The plot is so stunningly simple. I saw the film and it was rubbish and in no way captured the theme of the book. I can understand that readers of fine literature would find it beneath them but I absolutely loved it and thoroughly recommend this beautiful book. One of the best books I've read and I've read rather a lot of books in my time.
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Inspiring, thought provoking and entertaining to the end
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I first read this book a few years ago - a chance purchase before going on holiday. The premise sounded interesting - a young school boy with a plan to change the world in a very real way by carrying out three considerable good deeds. The philosophy behind his idea - that you have to 'pay the favour forward' to three more people.
This occurs in the background - the main characters almost oblivious to the effects of his projetc until close to the end. Iin the meantime, the story involves an exploration into many facets of the human condition; families, racism, selflessness, unconditional love, the break-up of the family unit..
I defy anyone to read this book and not be touched by the ending. I finished it in two sittings (and got sub-burnt as a result!!) and I can honestly say the sunburn was worth it.
It is one of those books whose philosophy, characters and impact will last for your lifetime. Oh i and I would give the film 3/5 as it really fails to invoke the emotional response of the book.
A must buy!
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Great idea
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Trevor McKinney undertakes an assignment from his social studies teach to 'think of an idea to change the world, and put it into action'. Trevor's idea is simple, do a big favour for three people and instead of asking them to pay it back, ask them to pay it forward to another three people. The writing style is very interesting as the book is 'written' by an investigative reporter Chris Chandler. His police friend tells him that gun crime in New York has dropped by 80% and he investigates what has caused it. So as well as consisting of 1st person narrative the book includes extracts from Chris' interviews as he works his way back to Trevor. It also consists of other extracts from Trevor's diary and two books written about the pay it forward movement. So as well as the book changing 1st person point of view each chapter, it also changes writing style, which takes some getting used to. The idea is simple and could be very effective, however I think the writing lets it down. The writing seems rushed and not detailed enough so some of the characters don't have the presence you'd expect. However it is an easy, moving and uplifting read and it is certainly worth discovering the effects paying it forward could have on the world.
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A touching novel
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Pay it Forward (recently made into an inferior film) is wonderful and original novel about a less than ordinary boy changing the world for the better. Twelve-year-old Trevor lives with his poor, divorced mother, he has a hard life in which he is almost forced to act grown-up. When a new teacher starts at his school and gives the class a project to come up with an idea that will make the world a better place, Trevor is extremely enthusiastic. He comes up with this idea: do a good deed for three people and then ask them to do a good deed to three people, thus as the chain grows, it ultimately leads to a friendlier place and populace all round. Unfortunately, not everybody is trustworthy and honest. I really enjoyed his touching novel: the author really makes the idea come to life, as the diverse characters are completely realistic and the plot complex and layered. Many different stories are going on at once, but they all merge into a single idea. This book should be read by all, although it may not change our way of life, but it will give us all hope.
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