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Ways to Live Forever
Ways to Live Forever is a children's novel by Sally Nicholls, first published in 2008.
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First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
Sally Nicholls
44 books277 followers Sally Nicholls is a prize-winning British children's author. She was born and grew up in Stockton-on-Tees. On finishing school, Nicholls chose to travel around the world. Her first novel was Ways to Live Forever.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,437 reviews
February 2, 2010
Let's be honest. I usually only review books I can bash. It's something I like to do. But for Ways to Live Forever, one really must follow my thought process.
Page One Thoughts: This stupid book is going to make me cry.
Page Seventy-Six Thoughts: Actually, this might turn out to be cheesy.
Page One-Thirty-One Thoughts: Why am I scared of dying all of a sudden? Also, this is pretty heady stuff for young readers.
Page One-Seventy-Two Thoughts: No! This is manipulative! This book wants me to cry! I will not!
Page Two-Oh-Four: *uncontrollable sobbing*
Make no mistake about it. Sally Nicholls could quite possibly be Nicholas Sparks for the middle school set. Her first novel, Ways to Live Forever, was written at the tender age of 23 and has all the trappings of youthful shmaltz:
1. Sam is an eleven-year old with leukemia. He knows he's going to die. His family knows he's going to die. We know he's going to die. There should be no surprises.
2. Sam has an adorable sister, Ella, who is feisty and irrepressible. In other words, she's the stock little sister that populates every YA novel too lazy to create a real character.
3. Sam's best friend is Felix, a sage in a wheelchair, also battling a terminal illness. Basic, unscrupulous foreshadowing.
4. Sam makes a list of things to do before he dies. This is equivalent to Nicholls clicking her stopwatch and calling out, "Go!"
5. Sam's handwriting, pictures, photos, and ticket stubs litter the book.... like it's an actual scrapbook!!!
Are you gagging yet?
Don't. Because a Little Baby Jesus Christmas Miracle happens.
Nicholls, for all her faults and reckless abandon, creates quite a lovely character in Sam. Although he's prone to thoughts that are a little out of sync with a kid his age, he is unusually grounded. Furthermore, his ruminations about death and dying are particularly child-like. This is the book's primary strength: in Sam, young readers will find a strong, likable boy who's been dealt a rotten hand. That Sam never feels sorry for himself, that he fights with his mother, that he is unapologetically stubborn are all the more meaningful as life slips from his fingertips.
Perhaps even more astonishing is how Nicholls handles death. Throughout the books, she tosses off factoids about coffins, leukemia, and souls in a nearly insouciant manner. So disarming are these facts that several caused me to put the book aside and seriously consider my own death. Let's revisit that: A children's book caused me to think about my own death. Admittedly, this was embarrassingly anxiety-inducing at first, but being with Sam as he slowly dies eases that nervousness, if only because here's a kid, albeit a fictional one, who's facing the grim reaper with a savage bravery, and I'm getting upset about death. Man up, Joseph.
So, yeah. There are some problems with Ways to Live Forever, but it's probably because of Nicholls' tender and impressionable age. But there's a good story squirreled away in the affectations, and it's a book many kids will quite enjoy.
Page One Thoughts: This stupid book is going to make me cry.
Page Seventy-Six Thoughts: Actually, this might turn out to be cheesy.
Page One-Thirty-One Thoughts: Why am I scared of dying all of a sudden? Also, this is pretty heady stuff for young readers.
Page One-Seventy-Two Thoughts: No! This is manipulative! This book wants me to cry! I will not!
Page Two-Oh-Four: *uncontrollable sobbing*
Make no mistake about it. Sally Nicholls could quite possibly be Nicholas Sparks for the middle school set. Her first novel, Ways to Live Forever, was written at the tender age of 23 and has all the trappings of youthful shmaltz:
1. Sam is an eleven-year old with leukemia. He knows he's going to die. His family knows he's going to die. We know he's going to die. There should be no surprises.
2. Sam has an adorable sister, Ella, who is feisty and irrepressible. In other words, she's the stock little sister that populates every YA novel too lazy to create a real character.
3. Sam's best friend is Felix, a sage in a wheelchair, also battling a terminal illness. Basic, unscrupulous foreshadowing.
4. Sam makes a list of things to do before he dies. This is equivalent to Nicholls clicking her stopwatch and calling out, "Go!"
5. Sam's handwriting, pictures, photos, and ticket stubs litter the book.... like it's an actual scrapbook!!!
Are you gagging yet?
Don't. Because a Little Baby Jesus Christmas Miracle happens.
Nicholls, for all her faults and reckless abandon, creates quite a lovely character in Sam. Although he's prone to thoughts that are a little out of sync with a kid his age, he is unusually grounded. Furthermore, his ruminations about death and dying are particularly child-like. This is the book's primary strength: in Sam, young readers will find a strong, likable boy who's been dealt a rotten hand. That Sam never feels sorry for himself, that he fights with his mother, that he is unapologetically stubborn are all the more meaningful as life slips from his fingertips.
Perhaps even more astonishing is how Nicholls handles death. Throughout the books, she tosses off factoids about coffins, leukemia, and souls in a nearly insouciant manner. So disarming are these facts that several caused me to put the book aside and seriously consider my own death. Let's revisit that: A children's book caused me to think about my own death. Admittedly, this was embarrassingly anxiety-inducing at first, but being with Sam as he slowly dies eases that nervousness, if only because here's a kid, albeit a fictional one, who's facing the grim reaper with a savage bravery, and I'm getting upset about death. Man up, Joseph.
So, yeah. There are some problems with Ways to Live Forever, but it's probably because of Nicholls' tender and impressionable age. But there's a good story squirreled away in the affectations, and it's a book many kids will quite enjoy.
October 29, 2024
"There's no point having wishes if you don't at least try to do them"
—Sam McQueen, Ways to Live Forever, P. 60
This book subtly captured me and led me into its story, until before I even knew what was happening I was invested, heart, mind, and soul, in Sam and his life. The tension of approaching climax weighed on me as if it were happening to my own friend, and the panic juxtaposed against Sam's own calm regarding the seeming inevitability of his impending death lay powerfully on my mind the entire time. If this story were American, I would say that I could hardly think of another book winning the 2009 Newbery Medal.
"Things I Want to Happen After I die: You're allowed to be sad, but you're not allowed to be too sad. If you're always sad when you think about me, then how can you remember me?"
—Sam McQueen, Ways to Live Forever, P. 207
—Sam McQueen, Ways to Live Forever, P. 60
This book subtly captured me and led me into its story, until before I even knew what was happening I was invested, heart, mind, and soul, in Sam and his life. The tension of approaching climax weighed on me as if it were happening to my own friend, and the panic juxtaposed against Sam's own calm regarding the seeming inevitability of his impending death lay powerfully on my mind the entire time. If this story were American, I would say that I could hardly think of another book winning the 2009 Newbery Medal.
"Things I Want to Happen After I die: You're allowed to be sad, but you're not allowed to be too sad. If you're always sad when you think about me, then how can you remember me?"
—Sam McQueen, Ways to Live Forever, P. 207
July 31, 2018
i loved this book. Seeing Sam throughout the pages of this book was both heartbreaking, and joyful. This book was very moving, this book was well written, appropriate, and emotional. I think everyone of any age would enjoy this book.
May 13, 2009
Lagi asyik-asyiknya liatin rak-rak buku di Gramedia PS ma adek, eh saya malah ketemu buku ini. Beruntungnya lagi kaver plastiknya gak ada, jadi saya bisa baca dan seperti biasa memutuskan Beli atau Gak. Dan tahukah kawan, setelah membaca halaman awal buku ini saya malah keterusan baca..Kesimpulannya : Buku ini jadi saya beli (walau sudah lumayan kotor dan lecek karena sering dibaca dan stoknya cuma ada satu!).
Singkat Cerita:
Buku ini bercerita banyak hal, tapi akan saya singkat saja berdasarkan poin-poin ceritanya...
Kematian
"Bagaimana kita tahu kita telah mati?" pertanyaan-pertanyaan tak terjawab no.3. (hal. 70)
Sam tahu kalau dia takkan lama lagi akan mati. Untuk itulah ia menyiapkan berbagai macam hal seperti daftar-daftar keinginan yang ingin dia lakukan sebelum meninggal, dan persiapan rencana kematian. Yang menarik bagiku adalah, saat Felix mengusulkan agar Sam membuat semacam buku rencana kematian seperti menulis ucapan terima kasih kepada keluarga atau teman (biasanya berupa pidato singkat), dan menulis beberapa pertanyaan tentang kematian Sam yang ditulis seperti soal pilihan ganda seperti contoh yang dibuat Felix ini:
1. Sam meninggal dengan?
a. Tenang.
b. Sangat menyedihkan dan menyakitkan.
c. Antara a dan b
d. Kami tidak tahu ---kami sedang di toko keripik kentang waktu itu.
e. Lain-lain, jelaskan.
Beberapa pertanyaan yang ditanyakan Sam pernah saya tanyakan pada diri sendiri.. Dan saya sudah mendapatkan jawabannya melalui Sam. Walaupun tidak sepenuhnya benar, toh suatu saat jawaban itu akan saya temukan, meski tak sempat saya menuliskannya...
Tertarik mencoba membuat pertanyaan seperti ini?
Fakta-Fakta dan Cerita Fantastis
Sam sangat menyukai fakta-fakta dan selalu penasaran tentang hantu, UFO, film horor, ilmuwan, dan terutama balon Zeppelin. Dalam buku ini dijelaskan beberapa Fakta-Fakta unik yang berhubungan dengan kematian. Salah satu fakta yang membuka wawasan tentang persiapan2 penguburkan jenazah di beberapa negara, ada fakta yang cukup ekstrem dan membuat saya bergidik... hiii. Mau tahu apa? Baca aja bukunya langsung..
Felix
Felix adalah satu-satunya teman Sam ketika Sam dirawat di rumah sakit, dia juga mengidap Kanker. Karakter Felix dalam cerita ini menurut saya lumayan ekstrem, terutama tingkah lakunya..Tokoh Felix ini mengingatkan saya pada Steve Leopard dalam serial Darren Shan. Walaupun kadang sering membuat sebal Sam, Felix adalah anak yang sangat pintar berdebat dan juga pencetus ide yg unik, dan seperti Sam, Saya suka kalau Felix sudah mulai berdebat. Felix takkan berhenti berdebat sampai ada yang menyerah. Perdebatan yang cukup sengit adalah ketika Sam bertanya pada Miss Willis, kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit? Felix yang mendengar pertanyaan itu serta merta menjawab dengan gayanya yang tak mau kalah pada Sam.
Saat membaca buku ini saya sebenarnya cukup kagum dengan pola pikir Felix yang nyeleneh alias beda dari kebanyakan orang..
Daftar-daftar Menjelang Ajal
Sungguh..Membaca tiap bab dalam buku ini, aku tak sanggup menahan air mataku..
Bahkan aku masih ingin membaca lagi dan lagi.. Merasakan betapa menderitanya Sam menahan sakit, membayangkan seperti apa rupanya, keluarganya, dan buku yang ia tulis untuk ia persembahkan kepada orang tuanya dan Ella adiknya setelah ia meninggal nanti.. Sam mengingatkan saya pada teman masa kecil saya yang mengidap kanker, namanya Rifky, sama seperti Sam, Rifky mengalami kebotakan, wajahnya pucat, dan kemana2 ia selalu menggunakan masker. Air mata saya tambah deras mengalir mengingat memori saat saya bersalaman untuk terakhir kalinya pada Rifky yang waktu itu saya belum mengerti benar apa itu kanker dan kenapa bu guru menyuruh saya dan teman2 saya yg lain untuk bersalaman dan minta maaf pada rifky..Yang kupikirkan waktu itu mungkin Rifky akan pindah sekolah.. Dan beberapa hari setelah itu Rifky meninggal.. Hiks..
Daftar no. 11 : Hal-hal yg kuinginkan setelah aku pergi.
Di akhir cerita dalam buku ini, terdapat tulisan dan daftar2 terakhir Sam, salah satunya adalah :
6. kalian boleh saja sedih, tapi tidak boleh terlalu sedih. Kalau kalian selalu sedih waktu memikirkan aku, bagaimana kalian bisa mengingat aku?
Sejenak saya tersenyum setelah saya membaca daftar terakhir dalam buku ini dan menyeka air mata saya yang tak lagi mengalir. Sungguh karya yang indah.
Singkat Cerita:
Buku ini bercerita banyak hal, tapi akan saya singkat saja berdasarkan poin-poin ceritanya...
Kematian
"Bagaimana kita tahu kita telah mati?" pertanyaan-pertanyaan tak terjawab no.3. (hal. 70)
Sam tahu kalau dia takkan lama lagi akan mati. Untuk itulah ia menyiapkan berbagai macam hal seperti daftar-daftar keinginan yang ingin dia lakukan sebelum meninggal, dan persiapan rencana kematian. Yang menarik bagiku adalah, saat Felix mengusulkan agar Sam membuat semacam buku rencana kematian seperti menulis ucapan terima kasih kepada keluarga atau teman (biasanya berupa pidato singkat), dan menulis beberapa pertanyaan tentang kematian Sam yang ditulis seperti soal pilihan ganda seperti contoh yang dibuat Felix ini:
1. Sam meninggal dengan?
a. Tenang.
b. Sangat menyedihkan dan menyakitkan.
c. Antara a dan b
d. Kami tidak tahu ---kami sedang di toko keripik kentang waktu itu.
e. Lain-lain, jelaskan.
Beberapa pertanyaan yang ditanyakan Sam pernah saya tanyakan pada diri sendiri.. Dan saya sudah mendapatkan jawabannya melalui Sam. Walaupun tidak sepenuhnya benar, toh suatu saat jawaban itu akan saya temukan, meski tak sempat saya menuliskannya...
Tertarik mencoba membuat pertanyaan seperti ini?
Fakta-Fakta dan Cerita Fantastis
Sam sangat menyukai fakta-fakta dan selalu penasaran tentang hantu, UFO, film horor, ilmuwan, dan terutama balon Zeppelin. Dalam buku ini dijelaskan beberapa Fakta-Fakta unik yang berhubungan dengan kematian. Salah satu fakta yang membuka wawasan tentang persiapan2 penguburkan jenazah di beberapa negara, ada fakta yang cukup ekstrem dan membuat saya bergidik... hiii. Mau tahu apa? Baca aja bukunya langsung..
Felix
Felix adalah satu-satunya teman Sam ketika Sam dirawat di rumah sakit, dia juga mengidap Kanker. Karakter Felix dalam cerita ini menurut saya lumayan ekstrem, terutama tingkah lakunya..Tokoh Felix ini mengingatkan saya pada Steve Leopard dalam serial Darren Shan. Walaupun kadang sering membuat sebal Sam, Felix adalah anak yang sangat pintar berdebat dan juga pencetus ide yg unik, dan seperti Sam, Saya suka kalau Felix sudah mulai berdebat. Felix takkan berhenti berdebat sampai ada yang menyerah. Perdebatan yang cukup sengit adalah ketika Sam bertanya pada Miss Willis, kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit? Felix yang mendengar pertanyaan itu serta merta menjawab dengan gayanya yang tak mau kalah pada Sam.
Saat membaca buku ini saya sebenarnya cukup kagum dengan pola pikir Felix yang nyeleneh alias beda dari kebanyakan orang..
Daftar-daftar Menjelang Ajal
Sungguh..Membaca tiap bab dalam buku ini, aku tak sanggup menahan air mataku..
Bahkan aku masih ingin membaca lagi dan lagi.. Merasakan betapa menderitanya Sam menahan sakit, membayangkan seperti apa rupanya, keluarganya, dan buku yang ia tulis untuk ia persembahkan kepada orang tuanya dan Ella adiknya setelah ia meninggal nanti.. Sam mengingatkan saya pada teman masa kecil saya yang mengidap kanker, namanya Rifky, sama seperti Sam, Rifky mengalami kebotakan, wajahnya pucat, dan kemana2 ia selalu menggunakan masker. Air mata saya tambah deras mengalir mengingat memori saat saya bersalaman untuk terakhir kalinya pada Rifky yang waktu itu saya belum mengerti benar apa itu kanker dan kenapa bu guru menyuruh saya dan teman2 saya yg lain untuk bersalaman dan minta maaf pada rifky..Yang kupikirkan waktu itu mungkin Rifky akan pindah sekolah.. Dan beberapa hari setelah itu Rifky meninggal.. Hiks..
Daftar no. 11 : Hal-hal yg kuinginkan setelah aku pergi.
Di akhir cerita dalam buku ini, terdapat tulisan dan daftar2 terakhir Sam, salah satunya adalah :
6. kalian boleh saja sedih, tapi tidak boleh terlalu sedih. Kalau kalian selalu sedih waktu memikirkan aku, bagaimana kalian bisa mengingat aku?
Sejenak saya tersenyum setelah saya membaca daftar terakhir dalam buku ini dan menyeka air mata saya yang tak lagi mengalir. Sungguh karya yang indah.
March 1, 2009
This book is just... wow. I'm sorry I can't think of a more intelligent way to put it, but it was so incredibly ... beautiful. You can't often say that about what is supposed to be a kids' book, but this was so simply, heartbreakingly written, it was like ... it was so terrifically honest and convincing, half the time I was sure I was reading a true, Anne-Frank-style diary. Both Sam and Felix leapt off the page and in to my head, and I can tell you now, I will never forget them.
But what is so heartbreaking...there can never be a sequel. Although I think Ella is an interesting character. If she wanted, the author could explore her further in a companion book, although Ways to Live Forever is pretty stand-alone. It doesn't need a sequel. I just love Sam, is all.
But what is so heartbreaking...there can never be a sequel. Although I think Ella is an interesting character. If she wanted, the author could explore her further in a companion book, although Ways to Live Forever is pretty stand-alone. It doesn't need a sequel. I just love Sam, is all.
August 13, 2017
This book was so far out of my comfort zone..
This is a book you can read in one sitting and finish in about two hours. However I just couldn’t. I needed to be in the right mood for the final part because I knew what was coming.. So I put the book aside for like three months, and today was the day I picked it up again and broke my heart.
This book isn’t literature. It’s written very easily and it was really far out of my comfort zone because I normally read YA (dystopian/fantasy). But this book it shocked me awake, it broke my heart and I’m still crying writing this review.
Sam is only ten years old and has cancer. He knows his days are limited so he decides to write a book about what he still wants to accomplice in life. This book really reads like a diary and it is super quick and the beginning is actually quite fun. It really captures the life of a sick young child well, and it was so believable with all the sticky notes and lists. I actually learned a few new things from this book reading Sam’s fun facts. I also found the side characters, Sam’s family, Felix and Miss Wolters super believable. The dark side of this book was of course that Sam has cancer. And there isn’t really any sugar coating the reality of a cancer patient. But that actually was why this book was so heartbreaking. I know there are so many kids (and also adults) struggling with this disease. And I think that there isn’t a person walking this earth who doesn’t know someone who died off this terrible disease. And though you know what’s coming it doesn’t make it easier reading the final pages. I think I cried reading like the last 40 pages of this book.
After I finished I sat there for about 10 minutes thinking about life with the book on my lap. It made me appreciate so many I have and take for granted. Being healthy and having a healthy family are one of the most important things in life.
This is a book you can read in one sitting and finish in about two hours. However I just couldn’t. I needed to be in the right mood for the final part because I knew what was coming.. So I put the book aside for like three months, and today was the day I picked it up again and broke my heart.
This book isn’t literature. It’s written very easily and it was really far out of my comfort zone because I normally read YA (dystopian/fantasy). But this book it shocked me awake, it broke my heart and I’m still crying writing this review.
Sam is only ten years old and has cancer. He knows his days are limited so he decides to write a book about what he still wants to accomplice in life. This book really reads like a diary and it is super quick and the beginning is actually quite fun. It really captures the life of a sick young child well, and it was so believable with all the sticky notes and lists. I actually learned a few new things from this book reading Sam’s fun facts. I also found the side characters, Sam’s family, Felix and Miss Wolters super believable. The dark side of this book was of course that Sam has cancer. And there isn’t really any sugar coating the reality of a cancer patient. But that actually was why this book was so heartbreaking. I know there are so many kids (and also adults) struggling with this disease. And I think that there isn’t a person walking this earth who doesn’t know someone who died off this terrible disease. And though you know what’s coming it doesn’t make it easier reading the final pages. I think I cried reading like the last 40 pages of this book.
After I finished I sat there for about 10 minutes thinking about life with the book on my lap. It made me appreciate so many I have and take for granted. Being healthy and having a healthy family are one of the most important things in life.
February 9, 2017
Ways To Cry Forever: Read this damn book.
June 22, 2021
این انصاف نیست. این دنیا اصلا انصاف نیست. من قلبم درد میکنه، حقیقتا دیگه نمیکشم. خیلی شبیه هر دو در نهایت میمیرند بود. از اون کتابایی که گریه در نمیارن، افسرده ت میکنن! درد داشت:))) لاقل متیو و روفوس بزرگ بودن اما سم و فلیکس همش ۱۱ و ۱۳ سالشون بود.
بخدا دیگه نمیکشم. اول کیوت بازیاشونو نشون داد بعد اینطوری کرد. سم قرار بود یه سال زنده بمونه نه یه فصل! و فلیکس قشنگم...
داستان راجب یه پسری به اسم سمه که سرطان داره و توی بیمارستان با فلیکس آشنا میشه. واسه ی یه سال اونا بهترین دوستای هم میشن و دکترا به سم گفتن نهایتا یه سال زنده میمونه. سم میخواد کارای موردعلاقشو قبل مرگ بکنه و فلیکس تو این دنیا ��ونده تا شجاعت لازمو بهش بده.
این دومین کتابیه که از سالی نیکولز میخونم و توی هر دو تا کتابش چیز خاصی وجود نداشت. جزیره خودمان و چه جوری تا همیشه زنده باشی، هر دو تاشون معلوم بود در نهایت چه اتفاقی میوفته اما شخصیتاش زنده ان. مهم نیست که داستان چیه و چطوری پیش میره تو میتونی سادگی اون زندگی رو باور کنی و خیلی خیلی قشنگه.
از اون کتابایی بود که یه چیزی راجبشون میخونی و اتفاقی پیداش میکنی، بعدم خودش صدات میزنه. حس تنهایی میکنم. همش دو روز طول کشید اما حس تنهایی میکنم. دوستام دیگه نیستن:)
وای وای وای هیچ دلیلی واسه پنج دادن ندارم من فقط دوستش داشتم. من پسری که دلش میخواست بفهمه مرگ چیه، اونی که میخواست قبل مرگش کلی کار کوچیک اما هیجان انگیز بکنه رو دوست دارم. الا کوچولو که اونجوری از سم حمایت میکرد، آنی که اونقدر مهربون بود و خانم ویلیس... من همشونو دوست دارم و حالا تکه ای از وجودمن:)))
بخدا دیگه نمیکشم. اول کیوت بازیاشونو نشون داد بعد اینطوری کرد. سم قرار بود یه سال زنده بمونه نه یه فصل! و فلیکس قشنگم...
داستان راجب یه پسری به اسم سمه که سرطان داره و توی بیمارستان با فلیکس آشنا میشه. واسه ی یه سال اونا بهترین دوستای هم میشن و دکترا به سم گفتن نهایتا یه سال زنده میمونه. سم میخواد کارای موردعلاقشو قبل مرگ بکنه و فلیکس تو این دنیا ��ونده تا شجاعت لازمو بهش بده.
این دومین کتابیه که از سالی نیکولز میخونم و توی هر دو تا کتابش چیز خاصی وجود نداشت. جزیره خودمان و چه جوری تا همیشه زنده باشی، هر دو تاشون معلوم بود در نهایت چه اتفاقی میوفته اما شخصیتاش زنده ان. مهم نیست که داستان چیه و چطوری پیش میره تو میتونی سادگی اون زندگی رو باور کنی و خیلی خیلی قشنگه.
از اون کتابایی بود که یه چیزی راجبشون میخونی و اتفاقی پیداش میکنی، بعدم خودش صدات میزنه. حس تنهایی میکنم. همش دو روز طول کشید اما حس تنهایی میکنم. دوستام دیگه نیستن:)
وای وای وای هیچ دلیلی واسه پنج دادن ندارم من فقط دوستش داشتم. من پسری که دلش میخواست بفهمه مرگ چیه، اونی که میخواست قبل مرگش کلی کار کوچیک اما هیجان انگیز بکنه رو دوست دارم. الا کوچولو که اونجوری از سم حمایت میکرد، آنی که اونقدر مهربون بود و خانم ویلیس... من همشونو دوست دارم و حالا تکه ای از وجودمن:)))
January 13, 2023
Idk how such a short story can emotionally wreck me like this but IT DID.
Through letters and lists we’re reading the diary entries of Sam - a boy dying of leukaemia. There’s passages that are so true to his age, simple, touching and full of the wonder and innocence of youth which make the reality of life even more bittersweet.
It’s also a story about ideas, dreams and experiencing life to make those “bucket list” things happen.
“I sat watching them all trying to hold them tight and safe in my memory”
I often think about death. I’m scared about when the last time I see someone will be. Losing my memories about what people have said, how they were, what they looked like and what we shared together is one of my greatest fears. I’m scared of time robbing us. This part really resonated with me on that.
Through letters and lists we’re reading the diary entries of Sam - a boy dying of leukaemia. There’s passages that are so true to his age, simple, touching and full of the wonder and innocence of youth which make the reality of life even more bittersweet.
It’s also a story about ideas, dreams and experiencing life to make those “bucket list” things happen.
“I sat watching them all trying to hold them tight and safe in my memory”
I often think about death. I’m scared about when the last time I see someone will be. Losing my memories about what people have said, how they were, what they looked like and what we shared together is one of my greatest fears. I’m scared of time robbing us. This part really resonated with me on that.
April 7, 2023
5 STARS SO WORTH IT.
UPDATE 14/03/19.
Tình cờ biết tới cuốn này cũng qua một lần lướt goodreads, thất rate cao ghê nên cũng tiện tay order về đọc luôn. Và quả thật, Ways To Live Forever là một câu chuyện rất tuyệt vời.
Nhân vật chính của Ways To Live Forever là cậu bé Sam - 11 tuổi và em bị mắc bệnh bạch cầu. Sam sẽ chết, em biết điều đó, gia đình em biết điều đó và chúng ta đều biết điều đó. Nhưng căn bệnh bạch cầu không khiến em ngừng mơ ước và tìm tòi lời giải đáp cho những câu hỏi mà dường như chẳng ai trả lời được. Em muốn tìm hiểu về UFO, tận hưởng cảm giác khi xem một bộ phim kinh dị, mong muốn một lần được bay trên khinh khí cầu, tìm tòi về những con ma hay đơn giản là sẽ trải qua những cung bậc cảm xúc gì khi thơm cô bạn gái. Căn bệnh bạch cầu cũng làm Sam tò mò về cái chết hay sự sống sau cái chết và tự em cũng nghiên cứu về những vấn đề khoa học rất hay ho trong những trang ghi chép của mình.
Ways To Live Forever với tớ không viết theo lối viết "chuẩn mực" của văn học, tức là sử dụng những hình ảnh ẩn dụ hay so sánh cùng ngôn từ quá mức cao sang, mà tác giả sử dụng giọng văn rất đỗi gần gũi và giản đơn, như thể đưa chúng ta vào những trang nhật ký của chính cậu bé. Bên cạnh những trang viết cảm xúc, Ways To Live Forever cũng chứa đựng rất nhiều hình minh họa hay ho và bao gồm cả những fact rất thú vị về khoa học, những ghi chép đậm chất con nít và cả những list rất ư đáng yêu của cậu bé Sam nữa, tất cả góp phần làm cho câu chuyện trở nên sinh động và gần gũi hơn rất nhiều.
Ngoài ra, những trang viết về tình bạn của Sam cùng cậu bé Felix - 12 tuổi và cũng mắc căn bệnh ung thư - là phần mà tớ đánh giá cao nhất và cũng là phần mà khiến tớ rơi nước mắt. Felix vui tươi và tràn đầy cảm hứng, và cũng chính cậu bé ấy đã giúp đỡ Sam thực hiện được phần nào những ước mơ rất đỗi bình dị của mình. Tình bạn là một điểm sáng trong cuốn sách này và thực sự không thể nào mà diễn tả được bằng văn viết.
"There's no point having wishes if you don't at least try to do them"
Thêm vào đó, chứng kiến tình yêu thương của cha mẹ dành cho Sam cũng làm tớ nhói lòng. Đúng là dù cha mẹ có đôi lúc "phiền phức" hay yên lặng, có khi thỉnh thoảng quá bảo vệ con cái nhưng họ vẫn luôn dành cho con mình những điều tốt đẹp nhất và tình yêu của họ thì không gì có thể sánh được.
Nhìn chung, Ways To Live Forever là một hành trình tràn đầy cung bậc cảm xúc viết về tình yêu, tình bạn, về gia đình và khiến ta nhận thấy rằng cuộc đời này rất đỗi tươi đẹp, về những ước mơ và cũng là một câu chuyện truyền cảm hứng rất nhiều cho người đọc. Qua từng chương nhỏ, chứng kiến Sam đối mặt với căn bệnh bạch cầu đôi khi khiến chúng ta đau nhói, nhưng đôi khi lại thấy ấm áp và nở nụ cười vì trí tưởng tượng và cảm xúc của cậu bé 11 tuổi.
Cuốn sách này là ứng cử viên sáng giá lọt top sách yêu thích nửa đầu năm 2019 của tớ, highly recommend.
UPDATE 14/03/19.
Tình cờ biết tới cuốn này cũng qua một lần lướt goodreads, thất rate cao ghê nên cũng tiện tay order về đọc luôn. Và quả thật, Ways To Live Forever là một câu chuyện rất tuyệt vời.
Nhân vật chính của Ways To Live Forever là cậu bé Sam - 11 tuổi và em bị mắc bệnh bạch cầu. Sam sẽ chết, em biết điều đó, gia đình em biết điều đó và chúng ta đều biết điều đó. Nhưng căn bệnh bạch cầu không khiến em ngừng mơ ước và tìm tòi lời giải đáp cho những câu hỏi mà dường như chẳng ai trả lời được. Em muốn tìm hiểu về UFO, tận hưởng cảm giác khi xem một bộ phim kinh dị, mong muốn một lần được bay trên khinh khí cầu, tìm tòi về những con ma hay đơn giản là sẽ trải qua những cung bậc cảm xúc gì khi thơm cô bạn gái. Căn bệnh bạch cầu cũng làm Sam tò mò về cái chết hay sự sống sau cái chết và tự em cũng nghiên cứu về những vấn đề khoa học rất hay ho trong những trang ghi chép của mình.
Ways To Live Forever với tớ không viết theo lối viết "chuẩn mực" của văn học, tức là sử dụng những hình ảnh ẩn dụ hay so sánh cùng ngôn từ quá mức cao sang, mà tác giả sử dụng giọng văn rất đỗi gần gũi và giản đơn, như thể đưa chúng ta vào những trang nhật ký của chính cậu bé. Bên cạnh những trang viết cảm xúc, Ways To Live Forever cũng chứa đựng rất nhiều hình minh họa hay ho và bao gồm cả những fact rất thú vị về khoa học, những ghi chép đậm chất con nít và cả những list rất ư đáng yêu của cậu bé Sam nữa, tất cả góp phần làm cho câu chuyện trở nên sinh động và gần gũi hơn rất nhiều.
Ngoài ra, những trang viết về tình bạn của Sam cùng cậu bé Felix - 12 tuổi và cũng mắc căn bệnh ung thư - là phần mà tớ đánh giá cao nhất và cũng là phần mà khiến tớ rơi nước mắt. Felix vui tươi và tràn đầy cảm hứng, và cũng chính cậu bé ấy đã giúp đỡ Sam thực hiện được phần nào những ước mơ rất đỗi bình dị của mình. Tình bạn là một điểm sáng trong cuốn sách này và thực sự không thể nào mà diễn tả được bằng văn viết.
"There's no point having wishes if you don't at least try to do them"
Thêm vào đó, chứng kiến tình yêu thương của cha mẹ dành cho Sam cũng làm tớ nhói lòng. Đúng là dù cha mẹ có đôi lúc "phiền phức" hay yên lặng, có khi thỉnh thoảng quá bảo vệ con cái nhưng họ vẫn luôn dành cho con mình những điều tốt đẹp nhất và tình yêu của họ thì không gì có thể sánh được.
Nhìn chung, Ways To Live Forever là một hành trình tràn đầy cung bậc cảm xúc viết về tình yêu, tình bạn, về gia đình và khiến ta nhận thấy rằng cuộc đời này rất đỗi tươi đẹp, về những ước mơ và cũng là một câu chuyện truyền cảm hứng rất nhiều cho người đọc. Qua từng chương nhỏ, chứng kiến Sam đối mặt với căn bệnh bạch cầu đôi khi khiến chúng ta đau nhói, nhưng đôi khi lại thấy ấm áp và nở nụ cười vì trí tưởng tượng và cảm xúc của cậu bé 11 tuổi.
Cuốn sách này là ứng cử viên sáng giá lọt top sách yêu thích nửa đầu năm 2019 của tớ, highly recommend.
November 21, 2022
این کتاب همینجوری پر از اشک و اندوهه و منم تصمیم گرفتم دقیقا زمانی بخونمش که زندگیمون با مرگ و غم و درد گره خورده. و همینطور که سم میگفت «همهچی سختتر از اونچیزیه که باید باشه.»
قبل از شروع کردنش میدونستم قراره تکتک صفحات کتاب در عین تخریبگر بودن پر از امید باشن. و میدونستم قراره قلبم با خوندنش آتیش بگیره ولی روحم هم قراره آروم بشه. الان که کتاب تموم شده دقیقا توی همین وضعیت قرار دارم و هرچی فکر میکنم میبینم بعد از مدتها دیدم به مرگ تغییر کرده و دوباره تبدیل شده به چیزی شبیه دید یه سال پیشم. بابتش شاد، قدردان و مدیون سالی نیکولزم. (از همین تریبون ازش تشکر میکنم.)
پ.ن: این کتاب برام یادآور دوستیه که به شدت به این کتاب عشق میورزید و احتمالا خودم هم بهخاطر او تصمیم گرفتم کتاب رو بخرم. و حالا که میخونمش دیگه کنارم نیست که بهش بگم سم توی قلب منم جا داره و داستانش توی وجودم حک شده. (یکی دیگه از دلایل تلخی کتاب برام.)
پ.ن۲: گاهی وحشت میکنم از شدت ارتباط عمیقم با بعضی کتابها.
قبل از شروع کردنش میدونستم قراره تکتک صفحات کتاب در عین تخریبگر بودن پر از امید باشن. و میدونستم قراره قلبم با خوندنش آتیش بگیره ولی روحم هم قراره آروم بشه. الان که کتاب تموم شده دقیقا توی همین وضعیت قرار دارم و هرچی فکر میکنم میبینم بعد از مدتها دیدم به مرگ تغییر کرده و دوباره تبدیل شده به چیزی شبیه دید یه سال پیشم. بابتش شاد، قدردان و مدیون سالی نیکولزم. (از همین تریبون ازش تشکر میکنم.)
پ.ن: این کتاب برام یادآور دوستیه که به شدت به این کتاب عشق میورزید و احتمالا خودم هم بهخاطر او تصمیم گرفتم کتاب رو بخرم. و حالا که میخونمش دیگه کنارم نیست که بهش بگم سم توی قلب منم جا داره و داستانش توی وجودم حک شده. (یکی دیگه از دلایل تلخی کتاب برام.)
پ.ن۲: گاهی وحشت میکنم از شدت ارتباط عمیقم با بعضی کتابها.
September 1, 2010
indah. menggetarkan. simpel.
Kita tak perlu menunggu mati untuk memaknai arti kehidupan.
Kita tak perlu menunggu mati untuk memaknai arti kehidupan.
July 21, 2018
4.5
este libro sin duda es corto pero muy emotivo y con calidad humana. Nos cuenta la historia de Sam, un niño de 11 años que padece de leucemia, y que tiene grandes sueños y un espíritu científico. Su principal deseo es responder a todas esas cosas que nadie parece querer contestar, por lo que escribe un libro en forma de diario donde va relatando todos sus sueños, acompañado también de una lista de cosas que desea experimentar.
estoy teniendo una racha para leer libros que te llegan, y ya he tenido varios en este año, lo cual me hace sentir una persona con mayor apertura, empezando por la lección de august y tantos otros... este año creo que tendré un top5 de ese tipo de libros llegadores.
no es novedad ver casos de niños que sufren este cáncer, pero sí lo es cada que conoces un caso de estos y te introduces en los deseos y sueños que pueden ser tan variados como te imaginas, pero todos tienen un deseo en común: quiero disfrutar al máximo el tiempo que me quede. Sufrir el dolor de perder a alguien y no ser tú, vivir un primer beso, sentirte frustrado cuando sientes que tu familia está al pendiente de ti y no te deja ser, la angustia de los padres por querer que los instantes de Sam sean los mejores y lo difícil que debe ser dejarlo ir... completamente recomendable, aunque creo que ya estoy diciendo más de lo que debería jaja. es de los libros que sin duda te puedes leer en una tarde, pero el mensaje final que te deja perdura en ti durante todo el tiempo que tú desees darle.
este libro sin duda es corto pero muy emotivo y con calidad humana. Nos cuenta la historia de Sam, un niño de 11 años que padece de leucemia, y que tiene grandes sueños y un espíritu científico. Su principal deseo es responder a todas esas cosas que nadie parece querer contestar, por lo que escribe un libro en forma de diario donde va relatando todos sus sueños, acompañado también de una lista de cosas que desea experimentar.
estoy teniendo una racha para leer libros que te llegan, y ya he tenido varios en este año, lo cual me hace sentir una persona con mayor apertura, empezando por la lección de august y tantos otros... este año creo que tendré un top5 de ese tipo de libros llegadores.
no es novedad ver casos de niños que sufren este cáncer, pero sí lo es cada que conoces un caso de estos y te introduces en los deseos y sueños que pueden ser tan variados como te imaginas, pero todos tienen un deseo en común: quiero disfrutar al máximo el tiempo que me quede. Sufrir el dolor de perder a alguien y no ser tú, vivir un primer beso, sentirte frustrado cuando sientes que tu familia está al pendiente de ti y no te deja ser, la angustia de los padres por querer que los instantes de Sam sean los mejores y lo difícil que debe ser dejarlo ir... completamente recomendable, aunque creo que ya estoy diciendo más de lo que debería jaja. es de los libros que sin duda te puedes leer en una tarde, pero el mensaje final que te deja perdura en ti durante todo el tiempo que tú desees darle.
June 8, 2016
Happiness is not about what you will get, but what you have and do now.
Membaca buku ini awalnya saya sangka hanya akan menemukan cerita anak2 biasa yang typically kisah seorang anak sebelum meninggal, yang sudah banyak saya baca di edisi2 Chicken Soup. Tapi semakin lama, ternyata saya ikut masuk ke dalam tubuh dan pikiran Sam. Saya mulai ikut merasakan sendiri kesepiannya, saya ikut merasakan bahagia dengan mimpi2nya, saya ikut merasakan sakit atas penderiataannya, dan pada saat dia mengatakan "INI TIDAK ADIL", saya menangis...
Buku ini benar2 mengajarkan saya untuk memaknai hidup dengan arti yang sesungguhnya. Nikmati hidup selagi bisa, syukurilah apa yang kita punya...
Membaca buku ini awalnya saya sangka hanya akan menemukan cerita anak2 biasa yang typically kisah seorang anak sebelum meninggal, yang sudah banyak saya baca di edisi2 Chicken Soup. Tapi semakin lama, ternyata saya ikut masuk ke dalam tubuh dan pikiran Sam. Saya mulai ikut merasakan sendiri kesepiannya, saya ikut merasakan bahagia dengan mimpi2nya, saya ikut merasakan sakit atas penderiataannya, dan pada saat dia mengatakan "INI TIDAK ADIL", saya menangis...
Buku ini benar2 mengajarkan saya untuk memaknai hidup dengan arti yang sesungguhnya. Nikmati hidup selagi bisa, syukurilah apa yang kita punya...
December 29, 2016
This Book + The Feels=Broken Heart
This was so heartwarming, i had quite high expectations of this book due to seeing the film first but the adaptation of this book is so good!
I loved how innocent a this book is, there is no sugar coating the reality of a cancer patient. The character in this book Sam asks all the interesting questions that either nobody answers are no one knows the answer to. My favourite character in this book is Felix, he was a real representation of what the world truly is and Sam follows that example. He points out all the important stuff in life even the stuff we'd rather not discuss. I loved the illustrations of this book and the fun facts included. While reading you go on the journey with Sam while writing his book within the book.
This book I think, is quite a middle grade language due to the story being in a child's perspective but the intelligence of it makes it appropriate for all audiences. I was so engrossed in this book that I managed to finish it in one sitting which i haven't been able to do in a long time. Highly Highly Highly recommend this book to everyone out there. Such a beautiful and genuine read.
This was so heartwarming, i had quite high expectations of this book due to seeing the film first but the adaptation of this book is so good!
I loved how innocent a this book is, there is no sugar coating the reality of a cancer patient. The character in this book Sam asks all the interesting questions that either nobody answers are no one knows the answer to. My favourite character in this book is Felix, he was a real representation of what the world truly is and Sam follows that example. He points out all the important stuff in life even the stuff we'd rather not discuss. I loved the illustrations of this book and the fun facts included. While reading you go on the journey with Sam while writing his book within the book.
This book I think, is quite a middle grade language due to the story being in a child's perspective but the intelligence of it makes it appropriate for all audiences. I was so engrossed in this book that I managed to finish it in one sitting which i haven't been able to do in a long time. Highly Highly Highly recommend this book to everyone out there. Such a beautiful and genuine read.
June 16, 2021
بخش هایی از کتاب:
مردن مثل تبدیل کرم ابریشم به پروانهست. میگه درسته که ترسناکه، همون طوری که برای کرمهای ابریشم هم ترسناکه که برن تو پیله. اما اگه کرمهای ابریشم راه بیفتن و هی بگن "وای نه من باید برم تو پیله، این خیلی ناعادلانست " چه اتفاقی میافته؟ اونا هیچ وقت تبدیل به پروانه نمیشن این اتفاقیه که میافته.
مرگ یه جور برگشتن به همون جاییه که قبل از تولد توش بودی و هیچکس قبل از تولدش نترسیده.
( قسمت بعدی ممکنه داستان رو لو بده )
شما حق دارین غمگین باشین اما حق ندارین خیلی غمگین باشین. چون اگه هر وقت که به من فکر میکنین غمگین باشین، پس چهجوری میخواین من رو به یاد بیارین؟
مردن مثل تبدیل کرم ابریشم به پروانهست. میگه درسته که ترسناکه، همون طوری که برای کرمهای ابریشم هم ترسناکه که برن تو پیله. اما اگه کرمهای ابریشم راه بیفتن و هی بگن "وای نه من باید برم تو پیله، این خیلی ناعادلانست " چه اتفاقی میافته؟ اونا هیچ وقت تبدیل به پروانه نمیشن این اتفاقیه که میافته.
مرگ یه جور برگشتن به همون جاییه که قبل از تولد توش بودی و هیچکس قبل از تولدش نترسیده.
( قسمت بعدی ممکنه داستان رو لو بده )
شما حق دارین غمگین باشین اما حق ندارین خیلی غمگین باشین. چون اگه هر وقت که به من فکر میکنین غمگین باشین، پس چهجوری میخواین من رو به یاد بیارین؟
August 23, 2016
Nog nooit kreeg ik tranen in m'n ogen van een boek, maar dit verhaal raakte me echt. Prachtig en puur. Wauw.
August 11, 2008
When he was eight, the son of friends of mine went through a sort of John Webster phase, being much obsessed with death. His fondness for poking at road-kills and gazing at graveyards troubled his parents, of course, but not half as much as the interminable questions. What's it like to die? How do you know when you're dead? What happens afterwards? Why do we have to die anyway? These are "The Questions that Nobody Answers", according to Sam McQueen, the 11-year-old hero of Ways to Live Forever. But Sam isn't just going through his morbid phase. For him these questions have a special urgency because he is going to die, soon, and he knows it.
Ways to Live Forever is the diary/scrapbook Sam compiles during the last two months of his life. Reading it is less like reading a novel than watching an exceptionally brilliant TV documentary. The text is punctuated by ephemera: drawings, tickets, and especially lists. Lists not only of those eternally unanswerable questions, but also of facts. Sam likes facts. He believes, touchingly, that they are the opposite of questions.
A different kind of list gives the book its structure. "List No. 3: Things that I want to do" ranges from the entirely reasonable ("Go up down-escalators and go down up-escalators"), via the barely achievable ("Ride in an airship"), to the impossible ("Go up in a spaceship and see Earth from space"). I don't want to give away the plot, but I have to say that all these wishes are granted, one way or another.
Killing children is something that writers indulge in from time to time. It's a high-risk business. If the crime is aggravated by mawkishness, the penalties can be severe. Passing sentence on Dickens, Oscar Wilde famously asserted that "One must have a heart of stone to read the death of Little Nell without laughing." In seeking to evade the charge of sentimentality, other writers have been sententious, offering pseudospiritual comforts, such as death being part of "a cycle" of some sort. (It is almost a rule, these days, that in children's literature death has to be presented as life-affirming, or even life-enhancing.) Beyond all this, of course, is the reasonable suspicion that killing children is the easiest way for writers to squeeze their readers' tear ducts. A surprising number of us think that a good cry is an essential part of a good read.
Knowing all this, as she obviously does, Sally Nicholls has been either courageous or reckless to write, as her first novel, the story of a boy who dies of leukaemia. And she would seem to have made matters even more difficult for herself by writing in the first person, which means, among other things, that her narrator cannot be around to write the last scene. Does she get away with it? Yes, she does. She knows what the traps are, steps into them, and steps out again unscathed.
In all first-person narratives the voice is, obviously, everything. Sam's is the voice of an unexceptional boy transformed by the enormity of what awaits him, and getting it to ring true is a hugely impressive achievement. I should mention (through gritted teeth) that Nicholls was only 23 when she wrote Ways to Live Forever. Her publishers have very high hopes for her, and on the strength of her debut they seem entirely justified. This is an elegant, intelligent, moving and sometimes even funny book. Young readers (and brave parents, and teachers) will love it.
Ways to Live Forever is the diary/scrapbook Sam compiles during the last two months of his life. Reading it is less like reading a novel than watching an exceptionally brilliant TV documentary. The text is punctuated by ephemera: drawings, tickets, and especially lists. Lists not only of those eternally unanswerable questions, but also of facts. Sam likes facts. He believes, touchingly, that they are the opposite of questions.
A different kind of list gives the book its structure. "List No. 3: Things that I want to do" ranges from the entirely reasonable ("Go up down-escalators and go down up-escalators"), via the barely achievable ("Ride in an airship"), to the impossible ("Go up in a spaceship and see Earth from space"). I don't want to give away the plot, but I have to say that all these wishes are granted, one way or another.
Killing children is something that writers indulge in from time to time. It's a high-risk business. If the crime is aggravated by mawkishness, the penalties can be severe. Passing sentence on Dickens, Oscar Wilde famously asserted that "One must have a heart of stone to read the death of Little Nell without laughing." In seeking to evade the charge of sentimentality, other writers have been sententious, offering pseudospiritual comforts, such as death being part of "a cycle" of some sort. (It is almost a rule, these days, that in children's literature death has to be presented as life-affirming, or even life-enhancing.) Beyond all this, of course, is the reasonable suspicion that killing children is the easiest way for writers to squeeze their readers' tear ducts. A surprising number of us think that a good cry is an essential part of a good read.
Knowing all this, as she obviously does, Sally Nicholls has been either courageous or reckless to write, as her first novel, the story of a boy who dies of leukaemia. And she would seem to have made matters even more difficult for herself by writing in the first person, which means, among other things, that her narrator cannot be around to write the last scene. Does she get away with it? Yes, she does. She knows what the traps are, steps into them, and steps out again unscathed.
In all first-person narratives the voice is, obviously, everything. Sam's is the voice of an unexceptional boy transformed by the enormity of what awaits him, and getting it to ring true is a hugely impressive achievement. I should mention (through gritted teeth) that Nicholls was only 23 when she wrote Ways to Live Forever. Her publishers have very high hopes for her, and on the strength of her debut they seem entirely justified. This is an elegant, intelligent, moving and sometimes even funny book. Young readers (and brave parents, and teachers) will love it.
December 17, 2010
Pertanyaan no. 1: Bagaimana kita tahu kita sudah mati?
Pertanyaan no. 2: Kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit?
Pertanyaan no. 3: Bagaimana kalau ada orang yang sebenarnya belum mati, tapi dikira sudah mati oleh orang-orang lain? Apakah dia akan dikubur hidup-hidup?
Pertanyaan no. 4: Sakitkah kalau mati?
Pertanyaan no. 5: Seperti apakah kelihatannya orang yang mati? Atau apa rasanya?
Pertanyaan no. 6: Kenapa sih orang mesti mati?
Pertanyaan no. 7: Ke mana orang setelah mati?
Pertanyaan no. 8: Apakah dunia masih ada setelah aku tidak ada?
Pertanyaan tak terjawab itu diajukan Sam, bocah 11 tahun pengidap leukimia yang tinggal menghitung hari menuju kematiannya. Beberapa pertanyaan yang mungkin dihindari sebagian besar orang, tapi akan dialami juga pada akhirnya. Saat Anda tahu berapa lama lagi waktu yang Anda miliki untuk hidup, apa yang akan Anda lakukan? karena menurut Felix, orang-orang mungkin akan menuruti apa pun segala permintaan orang yang akan mati. Seperti juga yang dilakukan oleh kedua orangtua Sam yang berusaha mengabulkan keinginannya.
***
Berapa banyak orang yang akan menjawab sudah siap saat kematian datang? yang jelas saya bukan salah satunya. Meskipun saya sendiri tidak tahu berapa lama supaya siap untuk mati. Mungkin tak akan pernah. Kalau begitu apa harus hidup selamanya? Kalau yang ini, saya tahu jawabnya: jelas tidak.
death is really a trivial question, don't you think?
Pertanyaan no. 2: Kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit?
Pertanyaan no. 3: Bagaimana kalau ada orang yang sebenarnya belum mati, tapi dikira sudah mati oleh orang-orang lain? Apakah dia akan dikubur hidup-hidup?
Pertanyaan no. 4: Sakitkah kalau mati?
Pertanyaan no. 5: Seperti apakah kelihatannya orang yang mati? Atau apa rasanya?
Pertanyaan no. 6: Kenapa sih orang mesti mati?
Pertanyaan no. 7: Ke mana orang setelah mati?
Pertanyaan no. 8: Apakah dunia masih ada setelah aku tidak ada?
Pertanyaan tak terjawab itu diajukan Sam, bocah 11 tahun pengidap leukimia yang tinggal menghitung hari menuju kematiannya. Beberapa pertanyaan yang mungkin dihindari sebagian besar orang, tapi akan dialami juga pada akhirnya. Saat Anda tahu berapa lama lagi waktu yang Anda miliki untuk hidup, apa yang akan Anda lakukan? karena menurut Felix, orang-orang mungkin akan menuruti apa pun segala permintaan orang yang akan mati. Seperti juga yang dilakukan oleh kedua orangtua Sam yang berusaha mengabulkan keinginannya.
***
Berapa banyak orang yang akan menjawab sudah siap saat kematian datang? yang jelas saya bukan salah satunya. Meskipun saya sendiri tidak tahu berapa lama supaya siap untuk mati. Mungkin tak akan pernah. Kalau begitu apa harus hidup selamanya? Kalau yang ini, saya tahu jawabnya: jelas tidak.
death is really a trivial question, don't you think?
September 3, 2012
The 9-to-12 age group's answer to Jenny Downham's Before I Die. 11-year-old Sam keeps a notebook in the final months of his life, while he's getting palliative care for his leukemia. He's on homebound instruction with his friend Felix, who also has terminal cancer, and visits a clinic once a week to get his medicine. Sam has a real voice, just the right one for a child his age. His story brought tears to my eyes.
What struck me the most about the story was Sam's family. They were a functional family, refreshing to see when children's and young adult books are so full of decidedly DYSfunctional ones. Obviously his parents and sister were stressed from his illness, and they fought with each other about it, but it was clear that they all loved Sam very much and wanted him to be happy.
What struck me the most about the story was Sam's family. They were a functional family, refreshing to see when children's and young adult books are so full of decidedly DYSfunctional ones. Obviously his parents and sister were stressed from his illness, and they fought with each other about it, but it was clear that they all loved Sam very much and wanted him to be happy.
June 3, 2011
Di dalam buku yang satu ini, ada seorang anak berumur 11 tahun yang mengidap leukemia.Can you imagine that? Dia berusia 11 tahun dan mengidap leukemia!! Anak ini dikenal dengan nama Sam.
Sam suka mengumpulkan fakta. Ia bercita-cita menulis sebuah buku. Buku yang berisi berbagai fakta, pertanyaan, bahkan kumpulan hal-hal yang disukainya. Pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang ia sampaikan disebutnya sebagai pertanyaan tak terjawab. Salah satunya adalah : "Kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit?" Jika pertanyaan itu diajukan kepada saya, saya tidak punya jawabannya. Buku ini adalah buku harian sam. Ia menulisnya diminggu-minggu terakhir kehidupannya. Awal membaca buku ini saya sering tertawa. Saya tertawa membayangkan wajah Sam dan sahabatnya Felix yang juga sedang sekarat, namun tetap iseng. Saya tertawa ketika mereka sedang mendiskusikan sesuatu yang akan ditulis di buku harian itu, seperti ketika mereka berdebat tentang jawaban "Kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit?" atau setiap kali Sam dan Felix bertemu, saling menatap dan bertanya "sekarang ngapain?". Saya membayangkan wajah nakal anak-anak malang itu dan tersenyum. Saya paling suka ketika mereka mendapat ide untuk membuat pertanyaan dengan model pilihan ganda tentang kematian sam yang harus diisi oleh orang tua sam kelak setelah ia meninggal. Mereka membuat segala sesuatu sebagai lelucon. Namun di saat saya sedang tertawa, tiba-tiba saya harus terdiam, terharu dan merenungkan betapa anak-anak ini, Sam dan Felix mensyukuri kehidupan mereka yang hanya sebentar. Memang ada saat-saat ketika Sam tidak kuat untuk beraktivitas dan hanya tertidur, namun ia selalu bersemangat, ia terus bersemangat. Ia memandangi keluarganya, merekam memori kehangatan kebersamaan mereka untuk mengingatnya selamanya.
Cukup…hanya itu yang bisa saya sampaikan. Review ini pendek bukan karena buku ini tidak bagus, tetapi karena bahasa saya menjadi terbata-bata ketika mendeskripsikan hal-hal seperti ini. Silahkan anda baca sendiri untuk memahami Sam. I Love Sam….really…I love his spirit.
Sam suka mengumpulkan fakta. Ia bercita-cita menulis sebuah buku. Buku yang berisi berbagai fakta, pertanyaan, bahkan kumpulan hal-hal yang disukainya. Pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang ia sampaikan disebutnya sebagai pertanyaan tak terjawab. Salah satunya adalah : "Kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit?" Jika pertanyaan itu diajukan kepada saya, saya tidak punya jawabannya. Buku ini adalah buku harian sam. Ia menulisnya diminggu-minggu terakhir kehidupannya. Awal membaca buku ini saya sering tertawa. Saya tertawa membayangkan wajah Sam dan sahabatnya Felix yang juga sedang sekarat, namun tetap iseng. Saya tertawa ketika mereka sedang mendiskusikan sesuatu yang akan ditulis di buku harian itu, seperti ketika mereka berdebat tentang jawaban "Kenapa Tuhan membuat anak-anak jatuh sakit?" atau setiap kali Sam dan Felix bertemu, saling menatap dan bertanya "sekarang ngapain?". Saya membayangkan wajah nakal anak-anak malang itu dan tersenyum. Saya paling suka ketika mereka mendapat ide untuk membuat pertanyaan dengan model pilihan ganda tentang kematian sam yang harus diisi oleh orang tua sam kelak setelah ia meninggal. Mereka membuat segala sesuatu sebagai lelucon. Namun di saat saya sedang tertawa, tiba-tiba saya harus terdiam, terharu dan merenungkan betapa anak-anak ini, Sam dan Felix mensyukuri kehidupan mereka yang hanya sebentar. Memang ada saat-saat ketika Sam tidak kuat untuk beraktivitas dan hanya tertidur, namun ia selalu bersemangat, ia terus bersemangat. Ia memandangi keluarganya, merekam memori kehangatan kebersamaan mereka untuk mengingatnya selamanya.
Cukup…hanya itu yang bisa saya sampaikan. Review ini pendek bukan karena buku ini tidak bagus, tetapi karena bahasa saya menjadi terbata-bata ketika mendeskripsikan hal-hal seperti ini. Silahkan anda baca sendiri untuk memahami Sam. I Love Sam….really…I love his spirit.
November 28, 2008
Sam, seorang bocah laki-laki berusia 11 tahun penderita leukimia lymphoblastic akut...menuliskan hari-hari terakhir dalanm hidupnya. Mengetahui bahwa hidupnya tidak akan lama lagi, ia ingin memberikan kenangan yang indah bagi orang-orang yang ditinggalkannya dan hidup di hati mereka selamanya. Sebuah kisah yang sangat menyentuh..., bagaimana seorang anak menghadapi kematian ini tidak dengan kesedihan dan rasa putus asa, ia melakukan hal-hal yang ingin ia lakukan sebelum ia pergi. Walaupun banyak pertanyaan-pertanyaannya seputar kematian yang tidak terjawab, namun ia dapat pergi dengan tenang saat berada ditengah seluruh anggota keluarga.
Sebuah pelajaran bagi kita... bahwa apapun yang terjadi di dalam hidup, sama sekali tidak perlu kita sesali. Karena hanya dengan menyesal tidak akan menjadikan hidup lebih baik. Yang terpenting adalah menjadikan hidup ini berharga bagi kita dan orang-orang di sekeliling kita.
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough"
(Mae West)
Besides.... LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WORRY !!
Sebuah pelajaran bagi kita... bahwa apapun yang terjadi di dalam hidup, sama sekali tidak perlu kita sesali. Karena hanya dengan menyesal tidak akan menjadikan hidup lebih baik. Yang terpenting adalah menjadikan hidup ini berharga bagi kita dan orang-orang di sekeliling kita.
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough"
(Mae West)
Besides.... LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WORRY !!
April 7, 2019
There's no point having wishes if you don't at least try to do them.
This is a heart-touching book.
Speechless.
Many questions that nobody answer.
How do you know that you've died?
Why does God make kids get ill?
Does it hurt to die?
What does a dead person look like? Or feel like?
Why do people have to die anyway?
Where do you go after you die?
Will the world still be there when I am gone?
This is not fair.
He was too good for this earth. God loved him so much, he wanted him in heaven.
Mum and Dad are good at being scared and quiet.
Dad is never giving up on Sam... But hopelessly, this is the way it should be. Is there any way to live forever?
Finally, there's nothing we can do. Or, we can say that we have already done everything we could to keep Sam live forever, not his body, but his soul in our heart.
You're allowed to be sad, but you aren't allowed to be too sad. If you're always sad when you think about me, then how can you remember me?
This is a heart-touching book.
Speechless.
Many questions that nobody answer.
How do you know that you've died?
Why does God make kids get ill?
Does it hurt to die?
What does a dead person look like? Or feel like?
Why do people have to die anyway?
Where do you go after you die?
Will the world still be there when I am gone?
This is not fair.
He was too good for this earth. God loved him so much, he wanted him in heaven.
Mum and Dad are good at being scared and quiet.
Dad is never giving up on Sam... But hopelessly, this is the way it should be. Is there any way to live forever?
Finally, there's nothing we can do. Or, we can say that we have already done everything we could to keep Sam live forever, not his body, but his soul in our heart.
You're allowed to be sad, but you aren't allowed to be too sad. If you're always sad when you think about me, then how can you remember me?
September 7, 2013
I finished this book an hour ago & I had to wait and pull myself together before writing this review.
It is one of the most emotional books I've ever read.
Anyone who reads this and doesn't shed tears has a heart of stone!
I HATE it when people give a book less stars just because its sad. Surely if a book can evoke such strong emotions in a person then that is proof that it is very well written and the reader is fully engrossed in the story!
I gave it 5 stars because this story deserves no less in my opinion!
It is one of the most emotional books I've ever read.
Anyone who reads this and doesn't shed tears has a heart of stone!
I HATE it when people give a book less stars just because its sad. Surely if a book can evoke such strong emotions in a person then that is proof that it is very well written and the reader is fully engrossed in the story!
I gave it 5 stars because this story deserves no less in my opinion!
October 9, 2008
One Sentence Review: You have to have some kinda chops to write a funny dying kid book, particularly if it's written in that kid's voice, but this is just one of the funniest, smartest, and saddest titles of the year.
October 5, 2022
این کتاب جایگاه خیلی ویژهای توی قلبم داره، چون میتونم تکتک صحنههاش رو درک کنم. جوری که انگار خودم نوشتمشون. آزمایشهای خون و یهویی خوندماغ شدنها. تمام گیرهایی که والدین یه بچهی سرطانی میتونه بهش بده. و حس دیدن بدن سرد شدهی دوست گرم و صمیمیت.
ممنونم، سارا نیکولز.
ممنونم، سارا نیکولز.
March 24, 2017
Ik vond dit boek zo mooi, ik heb hem daarom ook in een rap tempo uit kunnen lezen. Geweldig boek!
February 5, 2009
Realistic fiction--death, family, writing, friendship, inquiring. Absolutely wonderful book about a boy named Sam who is dying of leukemia. His teacher invites him to write a book and he includes lists, all of his questions about death that no one wants to talk about or answer, facts, his goals, things he collects (kind of like a scrapbook), etc. He meets a friend named Felix in the hospital who also is dying and they work on Sam's list of things he wants to do including smoking, kissing a girl and going up an esculator the wrong way. This book definitely fits the NCBLA criteria and is the best book I have read so far in 2009.
March 17, 2012
Been made into a movie
Basically it's about a boy who knows he's gonna die, but has a list of things-to-do he wants to fulfill before it's too late. This element has been used a lot of times in many, many books, but never ceases to get old (to me).
The voice Sally Nicholls created through 11 year-old Sam rang true in my ears.
It was depressing, a few times touching & still a good example to what death can do to the one dying and the loved ones being left behind.
July 8, 2020
Sam has leukaemia and his treatment is no longer working, and he is writing a book. I really liked that the story was told by Sam and it definitely had the voice of a young boy. A sad but sweet read.
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