Book Blurb:
When he is eight years old, Alfie Logan discovers the magical ability to get a second chance at everything. He can undo any moment and live it again. The one he must accept the consequences of his second try—for better or worse. He grows up correcting his mistakes and saving himself from adolescent embarrassments. He even takes foolishly dangerous risks, just to see what it’s like to come close to death, before tapping back to safety.
Eventually, Alfie turns his gift to his love life, studying his crushes and going back to make himself more appealing. In time, he falls deeply in love with Gianna, the woman he believes is the one. He seems to find contentment. But as the years pass, Alfie’s eye begins to wander. Which is when he learns a lone caveat to his once he undoes a love, that person can never fall in love with him again. Knowing if he gives into to temptation, he will risk losing what he has with Gianna, Alfie makes a choice that changes his life forever.
My Review: 4.25 stars
Twice by Mitch Albom is a book that you’ll love if you believe in the possibility of second chances. For those of you who like good hit of magical realism, this one will make you believe in the probability of it.
With only a few restrictions, mostly anything Alfie does, whether he’s young or old, allows him the opportunity to do multiple redos. Is it a gift or a curse? Does this gift leave him understanding consequences or not? And how does it affect his friends and family that don’t know about his gift. This book raises so many questions and really makes you think about what you’d redo in life.
I loved that this story was told from the end to the beginning through the notes Alfie kept about each and every redo. It was such an interesting format and worked well for this type of story.
The friendship that started in Nigeria between Gianna and Alfie was sweet and their rekindling of that relationship was a good for the plot line.
This story is mix of love story, consideration of life choices and magic. I’m leaving this quite vague so that the twists in Twice are a surprise.
Quotes I liked:
There are years you think about for moments, and moments you think about for years.”
“Suspicion and belief can’t share the same bed.”
“What is it about time and love that turns us from red with desire to pale with familiarity?”
“What was it they said about passion and rocket fuel? They both burn fast?”
“I’ve noticed something about dying, Boss. When you come into this world, you have all these people who want to take care of you, and you don’t know any of them. Then, when you’re leaving this world, you have all these people you do know, but few of them want to be bothered.”
