A Parting Gift

by Ben Erickson

Josh is 17 years old when he is enlisted to help an old man write his memoirs. Beautifully evoking ordinary life, A Parting Gift explores such fundamental puzzles as how to live one's life, the reason for existence and the nature of God.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[SHR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that attempts to teach wisdom.

Josh delivers meals on wheels and one of the recipients (William) asks him to work on a project with him, to record some of his stories. Through the telling of the stories he tries to guide Josh through the issues Josh faces in his family life and to impart an ability to look differently at the world, making some of the things we go through easier to take.

There is a cycle of life message and there are messages about regret, obstacles, love, family, adventure. Despite the messages it contains, some of the language it uses and an underlying faith, it isn’t a preachy book, so it succeeded in making me pause occasionally to reflect. What you get out of it will depend on where you are in your own life journey (internally/spiritually rather than chronologically).

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a friendship that developed between Josh Bell, a seventeen-year-old high school senior, and William Davis, an eighty-four-year old widower who meet when Josh is delivering daily meals his mother makes to supplement their income. Mr. Davis knows he is dying as his heart is gradually getting worse. He hires Josh to write his life story. This makes Josh think about his own future. What will he do after graduation? Two people come together and enrich one another's lives at a time when they really need that connection.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Original Thoughts (2000):

A very good, heartwarming story. Not as emotional of a read as Tuesdays With Morrie and definitely not as sappy as Nicholas Sparks' books.

My Current Thoughts:

I've held on to this book for so many years, always hoping to make time to give it a second reading. I remember how much I loved it the first time around, so I hope it doesn't disappoint when I finally pick it up again.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how this book came into my possession, but am glad it did. Started out slow and the writing seemed "too simple," but I got used to the style and was able to appreciate the message in the story and believe in the characters. Good if you need a mostly peaceful and definitely uplifting book of the non-Christian variety in your life at some point.

[Kaleb McCracken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the life of a teenage boy, who although mature for his age, still has a lot to learn about life. He is taught some life lessons and wisdom from an elderly man. While the premise of this book is fine, it is very cliche.

[Sophie Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book a been a comfort read for me for a number of years. I have read it countless times and it never disappoints. It is a truely heartwarming book.

[Noah · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Annalee Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this read!!! The friendship between the boy and the older man was precious to me and what the author did at the end was brilliant!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book though it was a bit contrite (yawn, think TV’s droll Grey’s Anatomy or This Is Us)until the last 6-7 chapters. The sailing and hurricane descriptions were riveting and I learned something!

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel set on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay throws together a 17-year-old boy and an 80-something man who teaches the boy a number of life lessons. Although it reads like an adolescent novels, its lessons and the language in which they're written suggest something much deeper. Sweet read — and even sweeter considering the back cover suggests the author, a furniture maker and not an writer per se, wrote it for his son who was about the graduate from high school.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of the relationship between a teenaged boy and an 85 year old man who takes him under his wing. Josh's parents are divorced and his father has begun life with a new family and doesn't seem to have a place for Josh in that life. Josh's mom works hard to support the two of them and one of the things she does is prepare meals on wheels for the elderly. Josh delivers them in an old beat up Volkswagon Beetle and during a delivery to Will Davis befriends the old man. Mr. Davis's hands are arthritic and he hires Josh to be his scribe as he relates the stories of his life. Mr. Davis becomes somewhat of a surrogate father to Josh and Josh helps fill an old man's lonely days.

This book was difficult to get interested in at first because the dialogue seemed stiff and awkward, but as the stories begin to be told the descriptions of events show the writer's true talent. Once he hit his stride, the book drew me in and kept me interested. As Mr. Davis imparts his wisdom to the teenaged boy, their relationship becomes real and not just a way to tie together events. Eirckson's description of building a table is real and communicates a love for what he is writing about. His description of an old man losing himself in memories of times past when his wife was still living are moving. The stories of Josh and his friends surfing are vivid and exciting as are Will Davis's childhood memories.

I'm glad a read this book and plan on donating it to my school's library. There are some good messages for teenagers that will hopefully reach a few of the students.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about a high school teenager and his interaction with an older man that he meets through his Mother's Meals-on-Wheels participation.
The relationship between the boy and man is one that is beneficial to both and not in the usually 'sappy' ways books tend to follow. It's insightful and brings out difficult times in both their lives.
Early in the book the older man askes the boy, "what is the sound of one hand clapping" to which the boy replies, "nothing" and the man says, "exactly". At the end the old man puts his hand on his chest and can feel the beating of his heart. He askes himself, "What is the sound of one heart beating?" and answers, all that you see before you...he is sitting in his beloved chair on the bay.....

[Cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at a local second hand book store - the story appealed to me. I did enjoy this storyline but at times, it developed a little too slow. I agree with other reviewers that I would have liked to have known a little more about Josh's perspectives and thoughts concerning life and his relationship to the old man. I beautiful story that never gets old. What amazing relationships we can develop and have , if we only slow down and take a look at people around us. Everyone has a story- and when you take the time to learn someone's story- that's almost the greatest gift you can experience. A very good read and a great lesson for adults as well as young adults.

[Benjamin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Exploring the relationship between and elderly man and a teenage surfer, parting gift was originally written by a father for his son upon his high school graduation.
The story follows the growing relationship between seventeen year old Josh an eighty-four year old William as William relates to Josh the account of his life.
An interesting premise for a novel but it suffers on two counts, the moralising is a rather too blatant, and the quality of the writing is not up to par. This is one book I can't help think would have been better kept exclusively for its intended purpose.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was ok. I liked the theme of the book. I think if it would have let us into the life of Josh a little more and his thoughts about the old man it would have been better and could have been longer (to include more detail). Again Shenn bought this for me for Christmas saying it was on my list. I don't think it was because as far as I can tell this is the only book this author wrote and I don't see why I would put it on there but either way I liked it.

[Jackie]

This book is one I will read again. An older gentleman shares with a teenage boy some of the things he has learned in life. The author wrote this novel for his son graduating from H.S. and it encompasses family/personal history, friendships, enjoying each day and more.

Read this again recently. It's prompted me to reflect on the lessons I've learned in life, lessons I'm currently learning and want to learn. What are some of the things I'll look back on and remember as I get older?

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful reading -- each chapter it's own story. 18 yr. old Josh meets 84 yr. old William & the stories begin -- so rich & elegant! Loved it!

fav quotes: "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground."
"Maybe that's all poetry really is - truth dressed up in fancy clothes."
"Books are written in blood, not ink. Each one is a unique vision of the world with it's own clear voice, like a song being sung acappella."

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…all your life you’re storing up memories of people, places, and lessons you’ve learned. If you boil it all down, what you have left in the bottom of the pot is wisdom. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to make sense out of what you’ve learned. Then, if you have the ability to express yourself in words, you can make a lasting gift of it to the world.”

[Sharron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming story about the interactions between an 84 year old man, Mr. Davis, and a 18 year old, Josh. Josh delivered meals on wheels in Mobile Bay area . Mr. Davis hired Josh to write stories from his life, both to be sure they were preserved and to continue his relationship with Josh. There are many profound words of wisdom imparted to Josh. A thoroughly enjoyable story!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had originally picked this book for my son to read, and well it's just been sitting on the shelf waiting to be read. So I picked it up... nothing over the top or unexpected just a good read about a relationship with a teenager and an old man. So much to be taught and learned.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many literary references that bring together the past and the present for a teenage boy and an old man, offering each of them peace in their troubled lives. This is the first book I've read by Ben Erickson, and I look forward to reading more.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gentle, warm, easy read.

[Linda]

recommended by Kerry Smithwick

[Breeze Watson]

The old man had some common sense but often forgotten insights. I'm going to hang on to this and pass it on to my kids. I think my sons, especially, will enjoy it.

[Milan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic story that weaves through the fabric of time to bring together the past and present with a wonderful tenderness not often found. Very touching and a bit of a zinger at the end!

[Sreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Most suitable for a young man or boy.Read again in2021 without realising I had already read it. Writing is to express yourself, it doesn’t matter if anyone reads it.