If Only It Were True
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Author | Marc Levy |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | |
| Released | 1999 |
| Released in English | 2001 |
If Only It Were True is French author Marc Levy's first novel, released in 1999. It was translated into English in 2001, and was adapted into the American film Just Like Heaven in 2005.
[edit] Plot summary
The book is about a young, pretty resident in a coma who appears (like a ghost) to the man renting her old apartment. Only he can see or hear her. After some initial disbelief on his part (combined with emotional friction and milked for laughs in the movie version), they fall in love.
A light read is to be expected of this book. It is extremely enjoyable and an asset to the Romance genre since it is also comedic. However, much can be criticized of the book, mainly the language. The English translation of the book is lacking luster. Such a clumsy translation makes the publisher look unprofessional and Marc Levy look like a horrible writer. When read in its original French, the story flows a lot better in its meant colloquial manner.
Overall the book is comedic yet warming. It brings into perspective the hustle and bustle of American's daily lives. Some critical reader will see the book as somewhat flawed. Towards the climax, Levy decides to stray away from the topic at hand and rather develop his main character and give the audience a view into his past. This development can be seen as quite distracting since it comes late in the novel; however clarifies. This book is one that is at the heart of French pop-culture.
In 2005 the sequel to If Only It Were True was published, entitled Vous Revoir. No official English translation has been established yet.
