I’ve been a big big fan of Cecelia Ahern since I picked up If You Could See Me Now and A Place Called Here many years ago when Cecelia wasn’t as well known as she is now. Something just drew me to the books and I’m so pleased I went with my instinct and bought them because they introduced me to magic in novels, they lifted me up and made me fall in love with books even more. I have since followed Cecelia and bought and loved every single one of her books, so when One Hundred Names was announced for release months and months ago, I was filled with that excitement again. And when the book came through my letterbox, I think I jumped around with glee and a massive grin on my face.
I could not wait to start on One Hundred Names, and I was not disappointed. Kitty Logan once had everything going for her, she was a journalist who lived with her boyfriend and she had a great friend in Constance. After Kitty receives false information and confidently but wrongly accuses a man of terrible things, her career is ruined. Colleagues do not want to be associated with her, advertisers are distancing themselves, and Kitty is devastated. As if that wasn’t enough, her boyfriend ups and leaves one day without even telling her. A sad Kitty visits her terminally ill friend Constance in hospital and asks her a thought provoking question: “What is the story you always wanted to write?” Constance directs her to search her office, in which Kitty finds an envelope containing a list of One hundred Names. Sadly, Constance passes away, and with nothing concrete to go on but a list, Kitty sets out to create the perfect tribute to her dear friend – by writing the story Constance never had the opportunity to do.
This story was AMAZING. As with all of Cecelia’s other books I was instantly hooked by her ability to bring the reader into the story and keep them turning the pages. The idea of the story was BEAUTIFUL, truly truly magical. At first I was unsure about how it would pan out, how could Cecelia write a book with one hundred different people’s stories in? How could she even do a few of them without it getting overcrowded? Where would she go with this? But after the first few pages I stopped worrying about all of this and trusted Cecelia had it all planned out, and that turned out to be an understatement, because it was wonderful.
As I said, I very much enjoyed the concept of the story. I enjoyed meeting the new characters and delving into a bit of their life story, hearing and reading about the amazing things that had happened to them, and some of the bravery and courage they have shown. Every story was special, I almost wish there had been more of each!
The characters were intricately and delicately written, each had a very important and special role in the story, and all these pieces put together created something that was truly breathtaking. Kitty was an instantly likeable character, I really felt for her and I found myself backing her all the way, wanting to reach out and hug here when life was not going as planned, and physically cheering in delight at key moments in the story. I think my favourite out of the hundred names were Birdie and Mary-Rose. I loved Birdie’s personality, her positivity, her courage and her determination, I felt she really brought the story alive and her character shone from the pages. Mary-Rose, I liked her story at the beginning and I laughed out loud at the situations she finds herself in. As I read on I liked Mary-Rose not just for what happens in her life, but what she gives to other people, how she always cares for others and has dedicated her life to the happiness of everyone else around her. The other characters also have great parts, but to me, Birdie and Mary-Rose were outstanding.
I won’t spoil the story but I will say that Cecelia is on top form with this one, and has yet again created a world we can delve into for many hours where everything is magical and enthralling, and where you find out that it’s the little things that matter the most. One Hundred Names is compelling, it’s captivating and it’s a beautiful story with an even more precious message. Treasure this book.