"The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud"

by Ben Sherwood, 2004, 273p, rating=4.5

Pay attention to the title of this book ... the order and emphasis of words and even the name of it's leading character.  I suppose I could stop there because I've told you too much.  But, let me babble a little bit.  Well, this book was captivating from the very beginning and quite heart wrenching.  Much was explored like, the depth of sacrifice for a loved one, real miracles in life, the world of in-between, belief in having a calling in life, and learning about what living means.  A powerful ending that celebrates love and life.  Well done Mr. Sherwood.  I heart a good cry! 

Book's synopsis: 

The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud tells the haunting story of a young man who narrowly survives a terrible car wreck that kills his little brother.  Years later, the brothers' bond remains so strong that it transcends the normal boundaries separating life and death. 

Charlie St. Cloud lives in a snug New England fishing village.  By day he tends the lawns and monuments of the ancient cemetery where his younger brother, Sam is buried.  Graced with an extraordinary gift after surviving the accident, he can still see, talk, and even play catch with Sam's spirit.  But townsfolk whisper that Charlie has never recovered from his loss. 

Into his carefully ordered life come Tess Carroll, a captivating, adventuresome woman training for a solo sailing trip around the globe.  Fate steers her boat into a treacherous storm that blows her back and to a surprise more overwhelming than the violent sea itself.

Charlie and Tess discover a beautiful and uncommon connection that leads to a race against time between the past and the future, between holding on and letting go.

My quote-ables:
*"Every pound of granite, every begonia blossom, Charlie thought, was proof of the enduring human need to be remembered." pg49
*"Rule of Three... In desperate situations, people could live for three minutes without oxygen, three hours without warmth, three days without water, three weeks without food." pg 240
*"That is the inescapable math of tragedy and the multiplication of grief.  Too many good people die a little when they lose someone they love.  One death begets two or twenty or one hundred.  It's the same all over the world." pg267