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100 gelukkige dagen
Wat zou jij doen als je nog honderd dagen te leven had?
Lucio zwiert door het leven. Hij heeft vrienden en vrouwen bij de vleet. Zijn vrouw Paola heeft er genoeg van en zet hem buiten de deur. Voorgoed.
Een dag later krijgt Lucio vreselijk nieuws: hij heeft in het gunstigste geval nog honderd dagen te leven. Wat nu?
Lucio besluit om ondanks alles gelukkig te zijn. Om zijn kinderen mooie herinneringen te kunnen geven, en de goede kanten van het leven te vieren. Maar kan hij wel betekenis geven aan het laatste stuk van zijn leven zonder zijn echte liefde, Paola?
Lucio zwiert door het leven. Hij heeft vrienden en vrouwen bij de vleet. Zijn vrouw Paola heeft er genoeg van en zet hem buiten de deur. Voorgoed.
Een dag later krijgt Lucio vreselijk nieuws: hij heeft in het gunstigste geval nog honderd dagen te leven. Wat nu?
Lucio besluit om ondanks alles gelukkig te zijn. Om zijn kinderen mooie herinneringen te kunnen geven, en de goede kanten van het leven te vieren. Maar kan hij wel betekenis geven aan het laatste stuk van zijn leven zonder zijn echte liefde, Paola?
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 671 reviews
April 8, 2018
I finished this book a few weeks ago and I’ve struggled with what to say about a very simple story with such a big message. I want to recommend this to everyone, but I know this isn’t for everyone. And maybe it resonated with me due to my age or that this year has been what you might call challenging or that I’ve become more contemplative as a result of the two previous points. The novel opens with the protagonist/narrator recounting the three most important days of his life, the last of which is the day and hour he takes his last breath. I know that sounds rather morbid, but it’s also moving. This is the story of how he lived the last one hundred days of his existence on earth and how, in spite of all expectations to the contrary, these were the happiest days of his life.
This story attempts to answer the question, what matters most? And will it take a fatal illness to make each moment count? Not a new concept, but fresh in the choice of narrator and format. Lucio’s story is at times hilariously Italian, while also alternating between sweet and exasperating and even a few dullish anecdotes in between, just like life. Throughout, the author has interspersed ideas to ponder in clever ways and quirky elements (like the Chit Chat café) that render this a heart-warming and thought-provoking reading experience.
Early on, Lucio’s father-in-law asks how he’ll spend these last days and Lucio asks the reader the same question and offers suggestions:
Would you get up and go to work or school tomorrow morning?
Would you spend every minute of your day having sex with the one you love?
Would you sell everything you own and move to a tropical island?
Would you pray to the God you worship?
Would you pray to a God you’ve never believed in?
Would you scream as long as there was a breath left in your body?
And then you’re provided a few blank pages to scribble your notes, which could have been a little gimmicky if you weren’t actually pondering these thoughts and wondering how would you? It gave me pause and while I didn’t write in the book, I did have to put it down to think. From there, the book begins its daily countdown, starting with 100 and the sense of time running out is palpable and we are white-knuckling it along with Lucio.
In another passage, Lucio’s car breaks down in Trastevere and he goes to a nearby café to await its repair. Here he finds that the cafe's owner has created a collective diary in the form of a wall stretching thirty feet and covered with a mural divided in two: one side, written in red paint, THINGS I LOVE, on the other side, in midnight-blue, THINGS I HATE. The wall is covered with colorful phrases of all sizes ranging from the nostalgic (the grated apple my grandmother used to make) to the crass (the happy sight of Mariasole’s tits) to the mundane (whoever stole my moped).
Lucio considers that someone should photograph the wall to preserve it for posterity as a way to tell the story of Italy in a way that no history book could. Two mural pages are then provided to the reader with the supposition that years from now you’ll reread them and will probably discover that you still love and hate the same things. So does what we love/hate define us? Or tell our story in a way that biography can’t?
There’s so much to love about this man’s journey, his fallibility as a husband, father, friend along with his virtues of humor and joyfulness . How he comes to realize what matters and the lessons he tries to teach his children in his final days. In the end, we are Lucio and he is us:
‘I’ve made mistakes and I’m bound to make others, but at least I attended the party. I was here too. Maybe in a corner. I might not have been the guest of honor, but I definitely showed up. The only regret I have is that I had to discover I was dying in order to start really living.’
This is one that will stay with me for at least 100 days and as the year comes to a close and we begin the process of resolutions, intentions and promises that next year will be different, I wonder if we need to think about our lives in a different way and ask the question, what matters most?
This story attempts to answer the question, what matters most? And will it take a fatal illness to make each moment count? Not a new concept, but fresh in the choice of narrator and format. Lucio’s story is at times hilariously Italian, while also alternating between sweet and exasperating and even a few dullish anecdotes in between, just like life. Throughout, the author has interspersed ideas to ponder in clever ways and quirky elements (like the Chit Chat café) that render this a heart-warming and thought-provoking reading experience.
Early on, Lucio’s father-in-law asks how he’ll spend these last days and Lucio asks the reader the same question and offers suggestions:
Would you get up and go to work or school tomorrow morning?
Would you spend every minute of your day having sex with the one you love?
Would you sell everything you own and move to a tropical island?
Would you pray to the God you worship?
Would you pray to a God you’ve never believed in?
Would you scream as long as there was a breath left in your body?
And then you’re provided a few blank pages to scribble your notes, which could have been a little gimmicky if you weren’t actually pondering these thoughts and wondering how would you? It gave me pause and while I didn’t write in the book, I did have to put it down to think. From there, the book begins its daily countdown, starting with 100 and the sense of time running out is palpable and we are white-knuckling it along with Lucio.
In another passage, Lucio’s car breaks down in Trastevere and he goes to a nearby café to await its repair. Here he finds that the cafe's owner has created a collective diary in the form of a wall stretching thirty feet and covered with a mural divided in two: one side, written in red paint, THINGS I LOVE, on the other side, in midnight-blue, THINGS I HATE. The wall is covered with colorful phrases of all sizes ranging from the nostalgic (the grated apple my grandmother used to make) to the crass (the happy sight of Mariasole’s tits) to the mundane (whoever stole my moped).
Lucio considers that someone should photograph the wall to preserve it for posterity as a way to tell the story of Italy in a way that no history book could. Two mural pages are then provided to the reader with the supposition that years from now you’ll reread them and will probably discover that you still love and hate the same things. So does what we love/hate define us? Or tell our story in a way that biography can’t?
There’s so much to love about this man’s journey, his fallibility as a husband, father, friend along with his virtues of humor and joyfulness . How he comes to realize what matters and the lessons he tries to teach his children in his final days. In the end, we are Lucio and he is us:
‘I’ve made mistakes and I’m bound to make others, but at least I attended the party. I was here too. Maybe in a corner. I might not have been the guest of honor, but I definitely showed up. The only regret I have is that I had to discover I was dying in order to start really living.’
This is one that will stay with me for at least 100 days and as the year comes to a close and we begin the process of resolutions, intentions and promises that next year will be different, I wonder if we need to think about our lives in a different way and ask the question, what matters most?
August 8, 2015
I loved this book in theory, I loved it in theme, I loved it in writing, I loved it in so many way; however, for some reason, I just failed to be absorbed by this book.
This story was inspirational, but not in an overtly in-your-face manner like some books can be. While Lucio wants to make the most of his last days, he sometimes screws up and has days that aren't really that meaningful. He's human. But he tries really hard and in that he's a great example.
Lucio himself was my absolute favourite. He was quirky and entertaining, with a really fun view of life, and his devotion to his family was unending and really sweet. I enjoyed seeing him at work and especially when he interacted with his boss.
I loved the other characters that were weaved in, from Lucio's two best friends to his step-father who runs a donut shop. They all had their own little stories and the way they interacted with Lucio was a lot of fun.
I found this contained some really beautiful scenes and beautiful moments that showed which ways life can be important.
The Italian culture was so much fun. Details like fig gelato really added--I adore reading translations of European novels because of the small things that distinguish them from books written for English readers. The translation was flawless, and kept original Italian only in places where it worked really well.
Underneath it all, this was about Lucio and his wife Paola, and underneath it all, it was very sweet and gave me warm fuzzy feelings (alongside the tears!)
Overall, this was a really good book--it just lacked that spark that made me want to keep reading it. I enjoyed reading it, but I kept wanting to read other books more. However, I definitely recommend giving it a shot, if only for the fun Italian culture.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story was inspirational, but not in an overtly in-your-face manner like some books can be. While Lucio wants to make the most of his last days, he sometimes screws up and has days that aren't really that meaningful. He's human. But he tries really hard and in that he's a great example.
Lucio himself was my absolute favourite. He was quirky and entertaining, with a really fun view of life, and his devotion to his family was unending and really sweet. I enjoyed seeing him at work and especially when he interacted with his boss.
I loved the other characters that were weaved in, from Lucio's two best friends to his step-father who runs a donut shop. They all had their own little stories and the way they interacted with Lucio was a lot of fun.
I found this contained some really beautiful scenes and beautiful moments that showed which ways life can be important.
The Italian culture was so much fun. Details like fig gelato really added--I adore reading translations of European novels because of the small things that distinguish them from books written for English readers. The translation was flawless, and kept original Italian only in places where it worked really well.
Underneath it all, this was about Lucio and his wife Paola, and underneath it all, it was very sweet and gave me warm fuzzy feelings (alongside the tears!)
Overall, this was a really good book--it just lacked that spark that made me want to keep reading it. I enjoyed reading it, but I kept wanting to read other books more. However, I definitely recommend giving it a shot, if only for the fun Italian culture.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2018
Ξέρετε στην ηλικία σας είχα πολλά όνειρα. Οφείλω να σας ομολογήσω ότι δεν πραγματοποίησα κανένα, όμως δεν έπαψα ποτέ να το ελπίζω. Να θυμάστε πάντα ότι ο μοναδικός πλούτος μας είναι τα όνειρα που κάνουμε παιδιά. Είναι η βενζίνη της ζωής, η μόνη δύναμη που μας σπρώχνει να πάμε μπροστά όταν σκουραίνουν τα πράγματα. Μοναδικός σκοπός σας πρέπει να είναι η εκπλήρωση των ονείρων του παιδιού που κρύβεται μέσα σας. Μην ξεχάσετε ποτέ πως ενήλικες θα γίνετε μόνο στην όψη, αφού αυτός ο μικρός άντραςθα ζει πάντα μέσα σας. Αφοσιωθείτε ολόψυχα στη δουλειά σας, είτε είναι το πόλο είτε οτιδήποτε άλλο. Πρέπει να προσπαθήσετε να είστε οι καλύτεροι σε κάθε πεδίο, ακόμα και αν πρόκειται να πουλάτε φρούτα στην λαϊκή. Όλοι θα πρέπει να πουν: «Τι ωραία φρούτα που έχει εκείνος εκεί» Η ζωή θα σας φέρει αντιμέτωπους με πολλές δοκιμασίες, πολύ πιο σημαντικές από τα πλει οφ ενός πρωταθλήματος, και εσείς δε θα πρέπει ποτέ να κάνετε πίσω. Να ενεργείτε, να ενεργείτε,, να ενεργείτε ακόμα και με τίμημα να κάνετε λάθος. Και αν κάνετε λάθος και προκαλέσετε κακό σε κάποιον, να ζητήσετε συγνώμη. Το πιο δύσκολο απ ‘ όλα είναι να ζητήσετε συγνώμη και να παραδεχτείτε ένα λάθος σας. Όταν αντίθετα κάποιος σας ευεργετεί, να τον θυμάστε πάντα. Το να δείχνετε την ευγνωμοσύνη σας είναι εξίσου δύσκολο. Και αν τύχει να κερδίσετε κάτι, μην κοροϊδεύετε τους αντιπάλους και μην κομπάζετε.
October 18, 2020
"Eu cred că în ziua a șaptea, Dumnezeu nu a intrat în vacanță, ci a născocit bunicii. Și, dându-și seama că era vorba despre cea mai genială dintre creațiile sale, și-a luat o zi liberă pentru a o petrece împreună cu aceștia." ❤️
O carte foarte frumoasă despre ceea ce contează cel mai mult în viață.
O carte foarte frumoasă despre ceea ce contează cel mai mult în viață.
April 5, 2017
4.5 ❤️❤️
October 12, 2017
Il protagonista di Cento giorni di felicità è Lucio, un quarantenne, sposato, padre di due figli piccoli, ex pallanuotista. Una persona qualunque che, inaspettatamente, si è trovato a dover fare i conti con una malattia tragica: un cancro al fegato.
Decide così di darsi un tempo massimo di vita, per non soccombere nel dolore, nella fatica di scendere dal letto, per non vedersi dipendente dagli altri. Cento giorni. Cento giorni in cui proverà a recuperare tutto il tempo che ha perso a fare altro invece che godersi la crescita dei suoi figli. Cento giorni in cui proverà a farsi perdonare dalla moglie. Cento giorni in cui proverà a essere felice.
Involontariamente ho preso in mano questo libro in un periodo non facile. Anch’io sto conoscendo quello che Lucio ha denominato “l’amico Fritz“, non sulla mia pelle ma fa male ugualmente.
Quello che più ho apprezzato di questo libro è stato proprio Lucio, in particolare la sua ironia. Presente fin dall’inizio, quando lui non sapeva ancora nulla su Fritz, e presente anche nel durante della malattia. Credo che l’ironia e l’umorismo siano un’arma molto potente, non dico che con ironia e umorismo si possa sconfiggere qualsiasi cosa, assolutamente no, ma sono due caratteristiche che aiutano ad affrontare meglio la battaglia.
Di Lucio ho apprezzato anche il fatto che non fosse affatto un uomo perfetto. Lucio è un uomo che ha sbagliato tanto, non troppo, ma ha fatto degli errori; insomma Lucio può essere benissimo uno di noi.
Sicuramente è stata una storia drammatica, ma mi aspettavo di stare emotivamente peggio. Vero, ho pianto, ma solo alla fine, mentre ero preparata a versare lacrime una pagina dopo l’altra.
Lo stile è molto semplice, molto scorrevole e senza dubbio anche questo mi ha aiutato a divorare il libro in soli due giorni. Non so spiegarvi bene il perché ma a mio avviso si nota che l’autore è il regista della nuova commedia italiana, infatti quando tra i suoi film ho visto che c’erano Ex e Maschi contro femmine mi è risultato subito chiaro perché lo stile mi sembrava così familiare.
Tutto sommato Cento giorni di felicità è stata una lettura piacevole (per quanto tragica) ma mi aspettavo qualcosina in più. In ogni caso, nonostante la mia valutazione non sia tra le migliori, vi consiglio questo libro che può aiutarvi a concentrarvi sul presente, che va sempre vissuto al meglio delle nostre capacità.
Decide così di darsi un tempo massimo di vita, per non soccombere nel dolore, nella fatica di scendere dal letto, per non vedersi dipendente dagli altri. Cento giorni. Cento giorni in cui proverà a recuperare tutto il tempo che ha perso a fare altro invece che godersi la crescita dei suoi figli. Cento giorni in cui proverà a farsi perdonare dalla moglie. Cento giorni in cui proverà a essere felice.
Involontariamente ho preso in mano questo libro in un periodo non facile. Anch’io sto conoscendo quello che Lucio ha denominato “l’amico Fritz“, non sulla mia pelle ma fa male ugualmente.
Quello che più ho apprezzato di questo libro è stato proprio Lucio, in particolare la sua ironia. Presente fin dall’inizio, quando lui non sapeva ancora nulla su Fritz, e presente anche nel durante della malattia. Credo che l’ironia e l’umorismo siano un’arma molto potente, non dico che con ironia e umorismo si possa sconfiggere qualsiasi cosa, assolutamente no, ma sono due caratteristiche che aiutano ad affrontare meglio la battaglia.
Di Lucio ho apprezzato anche il fatto che non fosse affatto un uomo perfetto. Lucio è un uomo che ha sbagliato tanto, non troppo, ma ha fatto degli errori; insomma Lucio può essere benissimo uno di noi.
Sicuramente è stata una storia drammatica, ma mi aspettavo di stare emotivamente peggio. Vero, ho pianto, ma solo alla fine, mentre ero preparata a versare lacrime una pagina dopo l’altra.
Lo stile è molto semplice, molto scorrevole e senza dubbio anche questo mi ha aiutato a divorare il libro in soli due giorni. Non so spiegarvi bene il perché ma a mio avviso si nota che l’autore è il regista della nuova commedia italiana, infatti quando tra i suoi film ho visto che c’erano Ex e Maschi contro femmine mi è risultato subito chiaro perché lo stile mi sembrava così familiare.
Tutto sommato Cento giorni di felicità è stata una lettura piacevole (per quanto tragica) ma mi aspettavo qualcosina in più. In ogni caso, nonostante la mia valutazione non sia tra le migliori, vi consiglio questo libro che può aiutarvi a concentrarvi sul presente, che va sempre vissuto al meglio delle nostre capacità.
January 11, 2016
What would you do if you knew you only had 100 days left to live? For Lucio Battistini, it’s a chance to spend the rest of his life the way he always should have—by making every moment count
Womanizing, imperfect but loveable Lucio Battistini has been thrown out of the house by his wife and is sleeping in the stock room of his father-in-law’s bombolini bakery when he learns he has inoperable cancer. So begins the last hundred days of Lucio’s life, as he attempts to care for his family, win back his wife (the love of his life and afterlife), and spend the next three months enjoying every moment with a zest he hasn’t felt in years. From helping his hopelessly romantic, widowed father-in-law find love, discovering comfort in enduring friendships, and finding new ones, Lucio becomes, at last, the man he’s always meant to be. In 100 epigrammatic chapters, one for each of Lucio’s remaining days on earth,100 Days of Happiness is as delicious as a hot doughnut and a morning cappuccino. Wistful, often hilarious, and always delectable, 100 Days of Happiness reminds us all to remember the preciousness of life and what matters most.
--My thoughts. Absolutely recommend! What a genius idea! I loved how this was written. So Lucio cheated on his wife, and she throws him out! Big surprise. He stays in the bakery. But then he gets cancer and gets the good ole bucket list. No surprise there either. But how it is written is so much more than I expected. The writing was just magnificent! Please, don't miss out. This will have you thinking about your own life. And laughing along the way!
Womanizing, imperfect but loveable Lucio Battistini has been thrown out of the house by his wife and is sleeping in the stock room of his father-in-law’s bombolini bakery when he learns he has inoperable cancer. So begins the last hundred days of Lucio’s life, as he attempts to care for his family, win back his wife (the love of his life and afterlife), and spend the next three months enjoying every moment with a zest he hasn’t felt in years. From helping his hopelessly romantic, widowed father-in-law find love, discovering comfort in enduring friendships, and finding new ones, Lucio becomes, at last, the man he’s always meant to be. In 100 epigrammatic chapters, one for each of Lucio’s remaining days on earth,100 Days of Happiness is as delicious as a hot doughnut and a morning cappuccino. Wistful, often hilarious, and always delectable, 100 Days of Happiness reminds us all to remember the preciousness of life and what matters most.
--My thoughts. Absolutely recommend! What a genius idea! I loved how this was written. So Lucio cheated on his wife, and she throws him out! Big surprise. He stays in the bakery. But then he gets cancer and gets the good ole bucket list. No surprise there either. But how it is written is so much more than I expected. The writing was just magnificent! Please, don't miss out. This will have you thinking about your own life. And laughing along the way!
September 5, 2017
I read 100 Days after spending five days in Rome and Tuscany. The locations were highly evocative of my own travels and I could easily picture Oscar's bakery or the Chitchat shop tucked away down medieval Roman alleyways.
As a parent, this book struck some deep nerves around the quality of the time we spend with our "heirs", the lessons we teach them, and the way they will remember us when we eventually leave. It has already made me want to be more intentional about all three.
And, as half of an incredible relationship, it's made me reflect on the inconsolable ways I would be devastated to be on either side of this story. Brizzi has created a loveable rogue, flawed but filled with the kind of dedication and passion we all wish we brought to our own lives. I can confidently say that Lucio will come to mind many times over the rest of my (hopefully) much more numerous days.
As a parent, this book struck some deep nerves around the quality of the time we spend with our "heirs", the lessons we teach them, and the way they will remember us when we eventually leave. It has already made me want to be more intentional about all three.
And, as half of an incredible relationship, it's made me reflect on the inconsolable ways I would be devastated to be on either side of this story. Brizzi has created a loveable rogue, flawed but filled with the kind of dedication and passion we all wish we brought to our own lives. I can confidently say that Lucio will come to mind many times over the rest of my (hopefully) much more numerous days.
September 24, 2017
Could have been great, but the author preferred staying in Jojo Moyes territory, maybe hoping for a film to be made out of it. With such a heavy subject matter, I would've hoped for something a little deeper and more thoughtful, or, if not, for some other added value. But the novel is trying its best to stay "cutsey" and light, presenting picture after picture of romantic Hollywood moments - sick dad eating ice cream with children, sick dad having fun with his friends abroad, you get the idea. And there are 100 days of this, much, much too long. The novel is so repetitive at times that I found myself skipping pages, something I almost never do, thinking "how many more fun activities can this guy come up with, and what for?". This is a shame, since this novel starts off really well, has a great premise and a writer with potential.
May 6, 2016
Een ontroerend verhaal die je diep raakt, een tip als je aan dit boek begint houd op het laatst van het boek een zakdoek bij de hand. Ik had deze nodig en vond het een prachtig verhaal, wat je erg aan het denken zet. Een goede recensie over dit boek las ik op Rachelleest.nl
February 7, 2016
De o originalitate izbitoare,cartea asta reuseste sa te surprinda inca din primele pagini.
February 1, 2016
Любителям "стодневок саморазвития" читать обязательно! Книга художественная, но учит, как прожить прекрасных 100 дней, наполненных радостью и насыщенных смыслом.
Жанр можно характеризовать как "оптимистическую трагедию". Главный герой - типичный "маленький человек", эдакий нелепый и жизнерадостный неудачник. Он не сделал выдающуюся карьеру и работает инструктором в третьесортном фитнес-центре. У него прекрасная семья, но он умудряется изменить жене с клиенткой этого самого фитнес-центра (и жена его выгоняет из дома). У него вроде бы неплохие друзья, но на деле они такие же великовозрастные раздолбаи :).
Вряд ли про такого заурядного героя можно было бы писать долго, но... в один прекрасный момент у него обнаруживается рак печени. И врач (несмотря на то, что ГГ ещё сравнительно молод, и в хорошей физической форме) даёт ему всего 100 дней жизни. И вот с этого момента главный герой преображается - он начинает свою "стодневку", во время которой ведёт дневник (собственно, вся книга написана в формате этого самого дневника).
В книге есть несколько сюжетных линий и одна главная (по моему мнению :)) идея. Сюжетные линии сами по себе занимательны, но не более: как ГГ относится к своей работе; как он замечательно общается с друзьями; как он пытается помириться с женой; как он увлекается историей всяких изобретений, и особенно творчеством Леонардо да Винчи и т.д.
А главная идея, да, прекрасна... Она в том, что истинным смыслом жизни и истинным счастьем является любовь, которую мы бескорыстно дарим окружающим, и в первую очередь своим близким. В книге есть магия. Не сильная, но всё же магия. Магия преображения мира под влиянием любви. Например, ГГ тренирует детскую команду по водному поло. Это типичная любительская "команда неудачников", которой никакие призы и победы изначально не светят. Но, осознав, что у него осталось лишь 100 дней, ГГ начинает вкладывать в своё общение с этими ребятами всю свою душу, и начинают происходить маленькие чудеса...
В начале своей "стодневки" ГГ вдруг обнаруживает, что совсем не знает своих детей. И надо срочно восстанавливать отношения с ними. Он работает над этим, и у него получается! И это снова благодаря магии любви!
Что особенно забавно, в самом начале своей "стодневки" ГГ решает быть "творческим" и написать свою собственную книгу :))). У него это получается крайне плохо. Но книгу он всё-таки напишет :)) - он сделает это очень оригинальным образом; не буду раскрывать каким, читайте сами ;) - и даже в самом конце подарит её жене. Смысл не в этом. "Быть творческим", "пробежать марафон" и т.п. - это всё эгоистические цели, это всё НЕ любовь. Преображение главного героя: это путь от случайных идей вроде "быть творческим" к выражению любви и заботы о близких людях.
ГГ проводит эти 100 дней максимально сознательно. И так же сознательно на сотый день он уходит из жизни - уезжает в Швейцарию, где разрешена эвтаназия, и...
Книга очень светлая и оптимистичная. Не могу сказать, что ГГ вызывает какую-то особую симпатию - он обыкновенный, и до своей "стодневки" наделал множество жизненных глупостей. Но вот самой его "стодневке" имеет смысл поучиться и нам всем... И жить так всегда, не дожидаясь рака и прочих кар земных и небесных.
Из минусов. Сладенькая получилась книга, приторная. Без боли, беспомощности и страха. Мало чего общего она имеет с жизнью реальных раковых больных (пишу это как человек, который за месяц до прочтения этой книги похоронил умершего от рака отца). Поэтому воспринимайте её как сказку, как призыв к нам - здоровым и умным - жить полной жизнью и ценить своих близких.
Жанр можно характеризовать как "оптимистическую трагедию". Главный герой - типичный "маленький человек", эдакий нелепый и жизнерадостный неудачник. Он не сделал выдающуюся карьеру и работает инструктором в третьесортном фитнес-центре. У него прекрасная семья, но он умудряется изменить жене с клиенткой этого самого фитнес-центра (и жена его выгоняет из дома). У него вроде бы неплохие друзья, но на деле они такие же великовозрастные раздолбаи :).
Вряд ли про такого заурядного героя можно было бы писать долго, но... в один прекрасный момент у него обнаруживается рак печени. И врач (несмотря на то, что ГГ ещё сравнительно молод, и в хорошей физической форме) даёт ему всего 100 дней жизни. И вот с этого момента главный герой преображается - он начинает свою "стодневку", во время которой ведёт дневник (собственно, вся книга написана в формате этого самого дневника).
В книге есть несколько сюжетных линий и одна главная (по моему мнению :)) идея. Сюжетные линии сами по себе занимательны, но не более: как ГГ относится к своей работе; как он замечательно общается с друзьями; как он пытается помириться с женой; как он увлекается историей всяких изобретений, и особенно творчеством Леонардо да Винчи и т.д.
А главная идея, да, прекрасна... Она в том, что истинным смыслом жизни и истинным счастьем является любовь, которую мы бескорыстно дарим окружающим, и в первую очередь своим близким. В книге есть магия. Не сильная, но всё же магия. Магия преображения мира под влиянием любви. Например, ГГ тренирует детскую команду по водному поло. Это типичная любительская "команда неудачников", которой никакие призы и победы изначально не светят. Но, осознав, что у него осталось лишь 100 дней, ГГ начинает вкладывать в своё общение с этими ребятами всю свою душу, и начинают происходить маленькие чудеса...
В начале своей "стодневки" ГГ вдруг обнаруживает, что совсем не знает своих детей. И надо срочно восстанавливать отношения с ними. Он работает над этим, и у него получается! И это снова благодаря магии любви!
Что особенно забавно, в самом начале своей "стодневки" ГГ решает быть "творческим" и написать свою собственную книгу :))). У него это получается крайне плохо. Но книгу он всё-таки напишет :)) - он сделает это очень оригинальным образом; не буду раскрывать каким, читайте сами ;) - и даже в самом конце подарит её жене. Смысл не в этом. "Быть творческим", "пробежать марафон" и т.п. - это всё эгоистические цели, это всё НЕ любовь. Преображение главного героя: это путь от случайных идей вроде "быть творческим" к выражению любви и заботы о близких людях.
ГГ проводит эти 100 дней максимально сознательно. И так же сознательно на сотый день он уходит из жизни - уезжает в Швейцарию, где разрешена эвтаназия, и...
Книга очень светлая и оптимистичная. Не могу сказать, что ГГ вызывает какую-то особую симпатию - он обыкновенный, и до своей "стодневки" наделал множество жизненных глупостей. Но вот самой его "стодневке" имеет смысл поучиться и нам всем... И жить так всегда, не дожидаясь рака и прочих кар земных и небесных.
Из минусов. Сладенькая получилась книга, приторная. Без боли, беспомощности и страха. Мало чего общего она имеет с жизнью реальных раковых больных (пишу это как человек, который за месяц до прочтения этой книги похоронил умершего от рака отца). Поэтому воспринимайте её как сказку, как призыв к нам - здоровым и умным - жить полной жизнью и ценить своих близких.
March 31, 2023
- Gogoaşa aceea de dimineață este cel mai mare dușman al dumneavoastră!
Mă aflu în stare de șoc. Poate cel mai mare şoc al vieții mele, după abandonarea de către părinți și după înfrângerea Italiei în finala Campionatului Mondial din '94. Gogoaşa găurită face rău la sănătate. Cer voie să mă duc la baie. De fapt, vreau pe furiș să fac o scurtă investigație prin internetul de pe telefon. Trebuie să știu. Am mare sete de cunoaștere.
Atunci când Lucio află că are o tumoare malignă inoperabilă i se schimbă complet perspectiva asupra vieții și începe numărătoarea inversă a celor o sută de zile pe care le mai are de trăit. Vrea să aibă grijă de familia sa, să-şi recucerească soţia şi să-şi petreacă următoarele trei luni trăind într-o continuă aventură.
A fost delicioasă de citit și extrem de tristă pe alocuri. Dar mixul acesta de disperare, speranță și determinare au format o lectură cu suișuri și coborâșuri, ușor de citit și memorabilă.
Chiar dacă Lucio e în centru, mie mi-a plăcut mult de socrul lui, Oscar. Un om care știe să își trăiască viața, și se bucură de ea în orice moment. Este tare sincer și funny.
Îmi dau seama că nu sunt în stare să mă gândesc decât la trecut și la viitorul. E ca și cum pentru mine prezentul si-ar fi pierdut importanța. Și când colo, trecutul și viitorul nu există, iar prezentul e cu adevărat singurul lucru care-mi mai rămâne. Dar e mai puternic decât mine, iar neuronii mei merg înainte și înapoi în timp, între amintiri și închipuiri, ca biluțele unui flipper care a luat-o razna.
Mă aflu în stare de șoc. Poate cel mai mare şoc al vieții mele, după abandonarea de către părinți și după înfrângerea Italiei în finala Campionatului Mondial din '94. Gogoaşa găurită face rău la sănătate. Cer voie să mă duc la baie. De fapt, vreau pe furiș să fac o scurtă investigație prin internetul de pe telefon. Trebuie să știu. Am mare sete de cunoaștere.
Atunci când Lucio află că are o tumoare malignă inoperabilă i se schimbă complet perspectiva asupra vieții și începe numărătoarea inversă a celor o sută de zile pe care le mai are de trăit. Vrea să aibă grijă de familia sa, să-şi recucerească soţia şi să-şi petreacă următoarele trei luni trăind într-o continuă aventură.
A fost delicioasă de citit și extrem de tristă pe alocuri. Dar mixul acesta de disperare, speranță și determinare au format o lectură cu suișuri și coborâșuri, ușor de citit și memorabilă.
Chiar dacă Lucio e în centru, mie mi-a plăcut mult de socrul lui, Oscar. Un om care știe să își trăiască viața, și se bucură de ea în orice moment. Este tare sincer și funny.
Îmi dau seama că nu sunt în stare să mă gândesc decât la trecut și la viitorul. E ca și cum pentru mine prezentul si-ar fi pierdut importanța. Și când colo, trecutul și viitorul nu există, iar prezentul e cu adevărat singurul lucru care-mi mai rămâne. Dar e mai puternic decât mine, iar neuronii mei merg înainte și înapoi în timp, între amintiri și închipuiri, ca biluțele unui flipper care a luat-o razna.
May 25, 2016
Well, for a depressing topic - Lucio Battistini discovers he has last stage cancer and only 100 days to live - Brizzi has managed to write a fairly non-depressing book, although you will want to have a box of tissues handy. Lucio is a wonderful character, and his reaction to his diagnosis and subsequent behavior seems genuine. I enjoyed the details of his life in Rome, although his family and friends sometimes seem like stock characters, rather than real ones.
I listened to this book, and the narrator's charming accent probably made me love Lucio even more.
Frankly, I was going to read this book as soon as I heard that one of Lucio's habits was having a freshly baked sugared doughnut every morning for breakfast, and Brizzi does make sure to give the reader some excellent baked goods porn, describing how it feels to bite into one of these warm doughnuts.
I listened to this book, and the narrator's charming accent probably made me love Lucio even more.
Frankly, I was going to read this book as soon as I heard that one of Lucio's habits was having a freshly baked sugared doughnut every morning for breakfast, and Brizzi does make sure to give the reader some excellent baked goods porn, describing how it feels to bite into one of these warm doughnuts.
August 18, 2017
Tako tužna priča, a tako puna života. Poučna, zanimljiva, duhovita. Mnogo mi se dopala u brojnim segmentima, a više utisaka možete pročitati u blog postu: https://lovily.net/sto-dana-srece-i-s...
October 11, 2018
What a delightful book! And what a surprise. When you hear that this book is about someone’s last 100 days on earth, it’s hard to believe that it can be funny, uplifting, sweet, and even at times, inspirational. And yet it is!
Lucio, a personal trainer and water polo coach living in Rome with his wife and two children, is just shy of his 40th birthday when he finds out that he has terminal lung cancer. This is not a spoiler! This is in the book description and something you find out in the first few paragraphs. This book is about the last 100 days of his life.
What I loved are all of the characters. They are wonderful and you really enjoy spending time with them. I also loved that the book takes place in Italy. So many wonderful references to places in Rome that I have visited, foods I’ve enjoyed, the ways of the Italians, etc.
The book is told from a first person perspective, and it is told directly to you, the reader. It is a very interesting approach. It adds a lot of humor to something that could have been depressing.
Whenever I’m sad that a book ends, I know that it has touched me and I’ve enjoyed it very much. I was very sad for this book to end!
Lucio, a personal trainer and water polo coach living in Rome with his wife and two children, is just shy of his 40th birthday when he finds out that he has terminal lung cancer. This is not a spoiler! This is in the book description and something you find out in the first few paragraphs. This book is about the last 100 days of his life.
What I loved are all of the characters. They are wonderful and you really enjoy spending time with them. I also loved that the book takes place in Italy. So many wonderful references to places in Rome that I have visited, foods I’ve enjoyed, the ways of the Italians, etc.
The book is told from a first person perspective, and it is told directly to you, the reader. It is a very interesting approach. It adds a lot of humor to something that could have been depressing.
Whenever I’m sad that a book ends, I know that it has touched me and I’ve enjoyed it very much. I was very sad for this book to end!
March 4, 2019
This book goes to a special place. It is about death, yet more about living. It’s actually a happy book, filled with life and fun, comedy and adventure. It’s captivating, full of spark and mischievous insights. It grabbed my heart and my imagination. The story follows the last 100 days of a terminally ill Italian man. The chapters count down the days. As the pages drift by, the priorities emerge. The emphasis is not on important to-do’s, but on simple and playful moments. The story will probably resonate best with those who have felt a lot of life, experienced loss, or have had to deal with major life roadblocks. These parameters may actually include all of us. It’s about forgiveness and error, about imperfection and silly thoughts. The story resonates within your soul. I listened to part of the book on audio. The audiobook narrator (Edoardo Ballerini on my edition) is excellent, his Italian accent adds another fun piece to the mix.
January 31, 2016
This was recommended to me after I finished Graeme Simsion's Rosie books.
I was slow to get into it, but I am so glad I persevered. I cried on the train. And at the kitchen table. And on my lunch break. All while reading this book.
But it's not all tears. It's sometimes laugh out loud funny, it's poignant, thoughtful and beautifully written.
I immediately liked the protagonist, and loved the flow of the book. I definitely recommend this book as an easy read that's thought provoking and funny.
I was slow to get into it, but I am so glad I persevered. I cried on the train. And at the kitchen table. And on my lunch break. All while reading this book.
But it's not all tears. It's sometimes laugh out loud funny, it's poignant, thoughtful and beautifully written.
I immediately liked the protagonist, and loved the flow of the book. I definitely recommend this book as an easy read that's thought provoking and funny.
July 14, 2014
E' stata una lettura che definirei "inquietante" o "ansiogena". Il libro in sè scorre carino e a tratti anche divertente, pur trattando un argomento che di lati divertenti non ne ha per niente. Diciamo che l'argomento del libro dà spunti per pensare, anche se è di certo un pensiero che nessuno vorrebbe dover fare. Sta di fatto che andrò a fare le analisi del sangue. Così, a buffo. Giusto per essere sicuri che va tutto bene...
February 14, 2017
This is one of the best books I have ever read. This book makes you laugh and cry. I stayed up till 1am reading it, read it in my lunch hours, read it in the evening. I couldn't put it down. I was so emotionally attached to Lucio by chapter two and by the end of the book I was a sobbing mess. He's so flawed and lovable. His 100 days of happiness are amazing. I loved the characters and the life lessons cleverly woven in. A fab book!
December 28, 2018
The only tears in my eyes at the end of the book were tears of joy that it was finally finished. Sappy, pedestrian, at times pedantic and misogynist. That said, if you like books like Chicken Soup for the Soul, you’d like this book.
January 28, 2016
This book will no doubt be made into a Hollywood movie. It was as irritating as it was easy to gobble up. Had to give it a three for the 'chat shop', but otherwise it would've been a 2 for me
September 5, 2019
Mi-a plăcut la nebunie! Modul de a povesti, felul în care îl vede pe Fritz! Fritz of all names😀
O lectură mai mult decât ușoară și minunată.
O lectură mai mult decât ușoară și minunată.
February 1, 2022
Loved it!
”Adevărul e că, de câte ori văd probele de bacalaureat care urmează să se desfășoare în următoarele săptămâni, îmi dau seama că nu aș fi niciodată în stare să iau din nou examenul și să fac față unei traduceri din latină sau unei probleme de matematică. Astăzi, pentru mine, un algoritm nu e altceva decât un cuvânt evocativ caraghios, iar tabelul lui Mendeleev este amintirea foarte îndepărtată a unui uriaș panou cam ca acelea de la tombole.”
”Cel mai frumos lucru dintr-o călătorie e întoarcerea acasă. Deschizi ușa și simți acel miros amestecat de mobilă, cărți și persoanepe care le iubești, e o mireasmă unică. Parfumul casei tale.”
”-E o tradiție italiană. Toți uniți împotriva polițiștilor și carabinierilor.
- De ce?
- Bună întrebare. Pentru că suntem italieni. Și pentru că avem cu toții ceva de ascuns. Încălcare legii este unicul lucru ce ne unește cu adevărat.”
”Adevărul e că, de câte ori văd probele de bacalaureat care urmează să se desfășoare în următoarele săptămâni, îmi dau seama că nu aș fi niciodată în stare să iau din nou examenul și să fac față unei traduceri din latină sau unei probleme de matematică. Astăzi, pentru mine, un algoritm nu e altceva decât un cuvânt evocativ caraghios, iar tabelul lui Mendeleev este amintirea foarte îndepărtată a unui uriaș panou cam ca acelea de la tombole.”
”Cel mai frumos lucru dintr-o călătorie e întoarcerea acasă. Deschizi ușa și simți acel miros amestecat de mobilă, cărți și persoanepe care le iubești, e o mireasmă unică. Parfumul casei tale.”
”-E o tradiție italiană. Toți uniți împotriva polițiștilor și carabinierilor.
- De ce?
- Bună întrebare. Pentru că suntem italieni. Și pentru că avem cu toții ceva de ascuns. Încălcare legii este unicul lucru ce ne unește cu adevărat.”
May 17, 2025
What a beautiful book. I haven’t cried that hard while reading a book in a long time. Such lovely messages- what would you do if you found out you had 100 days to live??
September 30, 2020
Lucio finds out that he has terminal cancer and 100 days to live. In addition his wife just found out that he was cheating. This book is a countdown of his final days where he tries to make it all count, spend time with his friends, kids and win over his wife.
It is beautifully written. It is even surprising that a book about death can have so much humor. And it doesn't make it ridiculous or just a joke. One laughs and yet feels sadness and understanding how the character is struggling with accepting the end of his life and tries his best to finish it right. Some days seem like a waste, but this seems to make it real as none of us would be able to live life to the fullest for 100 days. He goes through his memories, mourns the relationships that he has knowing that it will all be over soon and thinks about the dreams he had and never achieved. I think it was a great portrayal of the ending of life of a man who is as flawed as we all are.
And while most of the book was a pretty light reading that still made us think the final three chapters were pretty heavy and very emotional.
It is beautifully written. It is even surprising that a book about death can have so much humor. And it doesn't make it ridiculous or just a joke. One laughs and yet feels sadness and understanding how the character is struggling with accepting the end of his life and tries his best to finish it right. Some days seem like a waste, but this seems to make it real as none of us would be able to live life to the fullest for 100 days. He goes through his memories, mourns the relationships that he has knowing that it will all be over soon and thinks about the dreams he had and never achieved. I think it was a great portrayal of the ending of life of a man who is as flawed as we all are.
And while most of the book was a pretty light reading that still made us think the final three chapters were pretty heavy and very emotional.
August 24, 2020
Μια έξυπνη ιδέα που θα μπορούσε να είχε δώσει ένα εξαιρετικό βιβλίο. Ο ήρωας, ένας απλός καθημερινός οικογενειάρχης με δύο παιδιά, μαθαίνει ότι έχει καρκίνο και δεν του απομένουν παρά εκατό περίπου μέρες ζωής. Το βιβλίο περιγράφει τις εκατό αυτές μέρες και την πορεία του προς το θάνατο. Θα μπορούσε να ήταν ένα εξαιρετικό βιβλίο. Δυστυχώς ο συγγραφέας δεν επιχειρεί να εμβαθύνει και παραμένει στην επιφάνεια. Πρόκειται λοιπόν για ένα "εύκολο" βιβλίο. Το ρούφηξα σχεδόν μέσα σε μια μέρα ... Το ύφος είναι συναρπαστικό, αλλά έχεις διαρκώς την αίσθηση πως ο συγγραφέας επιχειρεί να "ανασύρει" όλα τα τρυφερά αισθήματα του αναγνώστη τραβώντας τα από τα μαλλιά και να τον κάνει να δακρύσει για τον ήρωα και μαζί με τον ήρωα. Στο τέλος, όταν πλέον τα πάντα έχουν τακτοποιηθεί όσο καλύτερα γίνεται, ο ήρωας παίρνει το δρόμο για την κλινική όπου θα κάνει την ευθανασία. Κοντολογίς πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που επιδιώκει μετά μανίας να συγκινήσει τον αναγνώστη. Θα μπορούσε να είναι μια τηλεταινία ιδανική για Κυριακή απόγευμα. Ποιος ξέρει; μπορεί να γυρίζεται ήδη ή να έχει κιόλας γυριστεί.
April 29, 2019
This book was a bittersweet symphony of emotions. Starting with joyful Italian jokes, the description of the perfect donuts, and adding the difficult moments of getting to know Lucio's friend "Fritz". It's a perfect blend between happiness and sadness that walks you through the last 100 days of a person living with cancer.
It reminded me a lot of A breath becomes air. However, the closing chapter it was different than the one of Paul... presenting you another possibility on how you can embrace the process of dying.
It reminded me a lot of A breath becomes air. However, the closing chapter it was different than the one of Paul... presenting you another possibility on how you can embrace the process of dying.
March 8, 2017
Main character discovers he has cancer, which is far beyond the point at which treatment could help. It happens to be discovered shortly after he is caught cheating on his wife. The book is like a journal-- one day for each of the days he has left to live. It's written in first person and even humorous at times, but I skipped around for the last 30% of the book. I found myself just wanting to finish it, especially since I knew what was coming.
February 9, 2016
I loved the way this author wrote! It was such an easy read, even though there were many Italian words. The premise is actually sad but the story was told in a very thought provoking and, if you can imagine, happy way. I would highly recommend this book.
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