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Live It Again
Hugh Nance used to think his wife whined too much—his three kids were spoiled brats that took everything for granted. Hugh is ten years old.
When an embittered, unremarkable forty-seven-year old man’s life is cut short on an icy highway, he receives the opportunity to try again. Hugh is taken back to 1974—back into the body of his boyhood—with all the memories of his middle-aged life in tow. Three and a half decades must be relived if he is to see his family again. The years have to be repeated carefully, or he may never be reunited with his future wife at all.
The memory of his first family fades as this second life proceeds; old habits kick in, and Hugh scrambles near the end to set things right.
When an embittered, unremarkable forty-seven-year old man’s life is cut short on an icy highway, he receives the opportunity to try again. Hugh is taken back to 1974—back into the body of his boyhood—with all the memories of his middle-aged life in tow. Three and a half decades must be relived if he is to see his family again. The years have to be repeated carefully, or he may never be reunited with his future wife at all.
The memory of his first family fades as this second life proceeds; old habits kick in, and Hugh scrambles near the end to set things right.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2011
20 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Geoff North
81 books38 followersGeoff was born in beautiful British Columbia and moved with his parents, three sisters, and two brothers to rural Manitoba before his first birthday. Since then, he has endured the extreme seasons in a way that only centrally located Canadians can appreciate.
I grew up on comic books and bad television from the seventies. It helped to develop an already over-active imagination to the point where I created my own series of comics featuring dozens of wacky heroes and ridiculous villains. I've also dabbled in cartoon strips and have been a regular contributor of political cartoons to a number of local newspapers. Throughout the years I realized my passion lay more in writing than in illustrating, so the 21st century has seen me make the transition from drawing funny pictures to writing full-time.
I grew up on comic books and bad television from the seventies. It helped to develop an already over-active imagination to the point where I created my own series of comics featuring dozens of wacky heroes and ridiculous villains. I've also dabbled in cartoon strips and have been a regular contributor of political cartoons to a number of local newspapers. Throughout the years I realized my passion lay more in writing than in illustrating, so the 21st century has seen me make the transition from drawing funny pictures to writing full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 23, 2011
The premise of this story is deceptively simple. What if you'd made a bit of a hash of it the first time around and someone gave you the chance to live most of your life again - AND you'd be able to remember all the mistakes you made?
This is what happens to the book's main character, Hugh. Now, if it happened to you, you'd have a perfect life wouldn't you? You'd be so much wiser.
Actually no, you'd probably go off and commit a whole set of new mistakes and that is precisely what Hugh does - sometimes to devastating effect.
I loved this book. I really cared what happened next and Hugh was flawed but likeable as the main character so that resonated well too. I don't know Geoff's work but I'll be looking out for it in the future. This is the kind of book I will almost certainly read again - and I don't do that very often these days!
Highly recommended
This is what happens to the book's main character, Hugh. Now, if it happened to you, you'd have a perfect life wouldn't you? You'd be so much wiser.
Actually no, you'd probably go off and commit a whole set of new mistakes and that is precisely what Hugh does - sometimes to devastating effect.
I loved this book. I really cared what happened next and Hugh was flawed but likeable as the main character so that resonated well too. I don't know Geoff's work but I'll be looking out for it in the future. This is the kind of book I will almost certainly read again - and I don't do that very often these days!
Highly recommended
July 2, 2019
A nearly perfect read
I started this book because the idea behind it is something I've wondered about - what would happen if someone could relive their life knowing all that they'd learned as an adult?
This book was SO good. I loved it. I loved the plot, the character growth, the twists, the emotions, and the ending. There was something beautiful about this book that really touched me.
I started this book because the idea behind it is something I've wondered about - what would happen if someone could relive their life knowing all that they'd learned as an adult?
This book was SO good. I loved it. I loved the plot, the character growth, the twists, the emotions, and the ending. There was something beautiful about this book that really touched me.
October 6, 2020
Intriguing premise
This was an interesting idea. A man who dies is given the opportunity to go back and restart his life over from 10 years old. It was interesting but could have been even better. Instead it sort of meanders. It certainly left me thinking about what I would chose to do if in that situation. I liked it.
This was an interesting idea. A man who dies is given the opportunity to go back and restart his life over from 10 years old. It was interesting but could have been even better. Instead it sort of meanders. It certainly left me thinking about what I would chose to do if in that situation. I liked it.
June 21, 2019
Good Read
A little different spin on the do-over fantasy. The characters are engaging and the story led you on the way, not like already arriving and waiting for the book to catch up. I'll be looking for more stories by this author!
A little different spin on the do-over fantasy. The characters are engaging and the story led you on the way, not like already arriving and waiting for the book to catch up. I'll be looking for more stories by this author!
June 14, 2019
Thought Povoking
A good read for any of us who have ever wondered what it would be like to have a do-over.
A good read for any of us who have ever wondered what it would be like to have a do-over.
May 24, 2011
Hugh Nance thought his wife whined too much and his three kids took everything for granted. Hugh Nance was ten years old.
When a bitter, unremarkable forty-seven-year old man's life is cut short on an icy highway, he receives the opportunity to try again.
Hugh is taken back to 1974--back to the body of his boyhood--with all the memories of his middle-aged life in tow. He must re-live the next three-and-a-half decades carefully, or he may never be reunited with his future wife, who he realizes means more to him than he thought.
But the memories of his first family begin to fade as this second life proceeds; old habits kick in and unintended consequences make what seemed like every man's dream into a nightmarish reality...
Every once in a while I come across a book that, whilst not traditionally a romance, still has enough romantic elements in it to sway my typing fingers into a review, and this week I'm very pleased to serve up something a little different, the treat that is Live it Again.
First off I should fess up right off the bat that the author, Geoff North, is a good friend of mine. That doesn't guarantee him a good review though, as I'm often harsher on my friends than I would be on everyone else (they eventually forgive me for it). Thankfully I don't need to get my claws out with this one, because Live it Again is one heck of a book.
Actually if I'm honest it was a bit too captivating. I'd planned to make cupcakes last night and thought I could dip in and out of Live it Again whilst whisking my mixture and piping my icing. Ah... the best laid plans... The cupcakes did not come to fruition. I curled up on my chair and read the whole thing in one swift sitting, and damn I'm glad I did.
Live it Again tells the story of Hugh Nance, a man embittered by his life, his lost opportunities and his lack of success. One night his life changes drastically and he is given the chance to live it all again--and he does, literally, from the age of ten years old.
Just imagine that for a moment. Being back in your ten year old form with all the memories you have now. What a fab idea... or so you'd think. Trouble is it's not all new opportunities, chances to make amends etc, because for Hugh to meet up with his family again, as in meet his wife and have their children, Hugh is constrained by what he can and can't change. He has to steer a difficult course through his 'second life' and Mr. North charts that course with some beautiful writing.
Imagine knowing when your parents are going to die, when your friends might meet an untimely end, or the things you hold most precious might be taken from you. Mr. North addresses all of this and more than once I felt tears rising behind my eyes. The relationship with his wife is thoughtfully done, and one moment in the book made me pause in delight. The first time Hugh sees her again since he was 'reborn'. It was quite captivating.
By the last chapter I was sobbing quite freely. Everything is brought together in such a way that you don't expect it at all, a tricky thing for any author to pull off--but Mr. North manages it. I'm gushing I know, and certainly, I don't want you to think it was all chocolate and bunnies. There were a few issues with this book that made me frown.
I was not at all keen on the whole diary entry device as a way to pull the plot onwards. I felt this was a little lazy and Mr. North could have made the book even better by including these moments in the actual plot. I'd like to have seen more of the relationship with his wife and children and more about his feelings with his new life.
Nevertheless I will forgive Mr. North these things. The bad is far outweighed by the good. It's four stars for this one and I'm looking forward to reading more from this new author.
When a bitter, unremarkable forty-seven-year old man's life is cut short on an icy highway, he receives the opportunity to try again.
Hugh is taken back to 1974--back to the body of his boyhood--with all the memories of his middle-aged life in tow. He must re-live the next three-and-a-half decades carefully, or he may never be reunited with his future wife, who he realizes means more to him than he thought.
But the memories of his first family begin to fade as this second life proceeds; old habits kick in and unintended consequences make what seemed like every man's dream into a nightmarish reality...
Every once in a while I come across a book that, whilst not traditionally a romance, still has enough romantic elements in it to sway my typing fingers into a review, and this week I'm very pleased to serve up something a little different, the treat that is Live it Again.
First off I should fess up right off the bat that the author, Geoff North, is a good friend of mine. That doesn't guarantee him a good review though, as I'm often harsher on my friends than I would be on everyone else (they eventually forgive me for it). Thankfully I don't need to get my claws out with this one, because Live it Again is one heck of a book.
Actually if I'm honest it was a bit too captivating. I'd planned to make cupcakes last night and thought I could dip in and out of Live it Again whilst whisking my mixture and piping my icing. Ah... the best laid plans... The cupcakes did not come to fruition. I curled up on my chair and read the whole thing in one swift sitting, and damn I'm glad I did.
Live it Again tells the story of Hugh Nance, a man embittered by his life, his lost opportunities and his lack of success. One night his life changes drastically and he is given the chance to live it all again--and he does, literally, from the age of ten years old.
Just imagine that for a moment. Being back in your ten year old form with all the memories you have now. What a fab idea... or so you'd think. Trouble is it's not all new opportunities, chances to make amends etc, because for Hugh to meet up with his family again, as in meet his wife and have their children, Hugh is constrained by what he can and can't change. He has to steer a difficult course through his 'second life' and Mr. North charts that course with some beautiful writing.
Imagine knowing when your parents are going to die, when your friends might meet an untimely end, or the things you hold most precious might be taken from you. Mr. North addresses all of this and more than once I felt tears rising behind my eyes. The relationship with his wife is thoughtfully done, and one moment in the book made me pause in delight. The first time Hugh sees her again since he was 'reborn'. It was quite captivating.
By the last chapter I was sobbing quite freely. Everything is brought together in such a way that you don't expect it at all, a tricky thing for any author to pull off--but Mr. North manages it. I'm gushing I know, and certainly, I don't want you to think it was all chocolate and bunnies. There were a few issues with this book that made me frown.
I was not at all keen on the whole diary entry device as a way to pull the plot onwards. I felt this was a little lazy and Mr. North could have made the book even better by including these moments in the actual plot. I'd like to have seen more of the relationship with his wife and children and more about his feelings with his new life.
Nevertheless I will forgive Mr. North these things. The bad is far outweighed by the good. It's four stars for this one and I'm looking forward to reading more from this new author.
April 3, 2011
The premise of this story is deceptively simple. What if you'd made a bit of a hash of it the first time around and someone gave you the chance to live most of your life again - AND you'd be able to remember all the mistakes you made?
This is what happens to the book's main character, Hugh. Now, if it happened to you, you'd have a perfect life wouldn't you? You'd be so much wiser.
Actually no, you'd probably go off and commit a whole set of new mistakes and that is precisely what Hugh does - sometimes to devastating effect.
I loved this book. I really cared what happened next and Hugh was flawed but likeable as the main character so that resonated well too. I don't know Geoff's work but I'll be looking out for it in the future. This is the kind of book I will almost certainly read again - and I don't do that very often these days!
Highly recommended
This is what happens to the book's main character, Hugh. Now, if it happened to you, you'd have a perfect life wouldn't you? You'd be so much wiser.
Actually no, you'd probably go off and commit a whole set of new mistakes and that is precisely what Hugh does - sometimes to devastating effect.
I loved this book. I really cared what happened next and Hugh was flawed but likeable as the main character so that resonated well too. I don't know Geoff's work but I'll be looking out for it in the future. This is the kind of book I will almost certainly read again - and I don't do that very often these days!
Highly recommended
June 21, 2014
Live It Again by Geoff North is a simple story line. What would you do if you could relive your life?
Would you live the same life or would you try to correct any mistakes you may have made? What if you tried to correct the mistakes and worse mistakes occurred?
This is what happens to Hugh. I cared about Hugh and how he tried to live his second life; how he tried to be kinder and wiser, and that he was human, even with a second chance.
I'm glad to have found a new author who I enjoy.
Four stars.
Would you live the same life or would you try to correct any mistakes you may have made? What if you tried to correct the mistakes and worse mistakes occurred?
This is what happens to Hugh. I cared about Hugh and how he tried to live his second life; how he tried to be kinder and wiser, and that he was human, even with a second chance.
I'm glad to have found a new author who I enjoy.
Four stars.
June 3, 2014
Simple book and nice premise
Simple book and nice premise
Nice read, family focused, and a well done story asking one question we've all thought about - what if I had it to do all over again?
The only gripe I had was the author not looking at events outside a small town, but that did help to keep the story focused.
I really liked it, and while the book was simple and straightforward, it really expanded on personal relationships. It's one I would recommend to family and friends, especially those who have a little bit of "life" under their belt.
Simple book and nice premise
Nice read, family focused, and a well done story asking one question we've all thought about - what if I had it to do all over again?
The only gripe I had was the author not looking at events outside a small town, but that did help to keep the story focused.
I really liked it, and while the book was simple and straightforward, it really expanded on personal relationships. It's one I would recommend to family and friends, especially those who have a little bit of "life" under their belt.
August 5, 2014
This was such an unusual book. It has a very simple premise, but the story is far from simple. If we all had a chance of a redo in life, what would we change? Knowing that one simple small change can cause huge ripples in the future. There are some things in life that are predestined, even if we think we can alter them. This is something that Hugh learns.
He's sent back in time to his ten year old self to relive his life. To correct his mistakes. To be a better person. Somethings change and somethings don't.
He's sent back in time to his ten year old self to relive his life. To correct his mistakes. To be a better person. Somethings change and somethings don't.
April 22, 2015
More like 3.5 stars. In the end, I look back and I really enjoyed this book. I will say I nearly didn't finish it. The first couple of chapters made you happy when the main character died...and even after death, his personality really made you want to kill him again. But, it got much better. In the end, i even didn't hate the guy. and there were a lot of emotional parts. I will say it dragged at times a GREAT DEAL. to the point, i just sat it down and went to sleep. But i got through it and, although it could use a good editor for the extraneous bits, I enjoyed the story.
May 25, 2014
Wow !!! What a great read!!!
Wow !!! What a great read!!!
I really enjoyed this book. I was drained to the title when I purchased it. l could not put it down once I started to read it. Everything about living your life a second time really made me stop and think that I would try to live this life to the fullest and savor it and cherish the memories made daily from now on. There were a few typos but nothing that couldn't be too hard to interpret.
Wow !!! What a great read!!!
I really enjoyed this book. I was drained to the title when I purchased it. l could not put it down once I started to read it. Everything about living your life a second time really made me stop and think that I would try to live this life to the fullest and savor it and cherish the memories made daily from now on. There were a few typos but nothing that couldn't be too hard to interpret.
May 28, 2014
A strange read; leaves out a lot of details the reader gets curious about throughout the book....
Like what happens to Nelson? How is that hot mess resolved? And the ending just sort of skipped the last 50 years of the guy's life. Just left you kinda holding the bag, so to speak....
Like what happens to Nelson? How is that hot mess resolved? And the ending just sort of skipped the last 50 years of the guy's life. Just left you kinda holding the bag, so to speak....
June 4, 2014
This book had a great concept. A mean 47 year old man got into a car accident and died. He gets to come back as his 10 yr old self and re-live his life. He tries to change the outcome of some of the events that he knows are going to happen. But nothing goes as plans…good easy read
March 14, 2014
Live it Again
I gave this book four stars. I really enjoyed this book. It makes you stop and really think that anything could be possible. This really was a great read.
I gave this book four stars. I really enjoyed this book. It makes you stop and really think that anything could be possible. This really was a great read.
December 31, 2014
The language was a bit much, but overall, wow! Incredible story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews