Reviewed by Gabrielle Sutton

When someone experiences a particular difficult event in their life whether it be a death, divorce or other major life changing experience, advice is usually given to take ‘one day at a time’. What if you knew what tomorrow held? Could you change it? Would you want to change it? And what would be the consequences of changing the future?

Cecelia Ahern’s latest book, The Book of Tomorrow’, tells the tale of a young lady, Tamara, whose whole life is sent into upheaval by a death. The events that follow are outside her control, and she has no one to confide in or support her. The book is set in Ireland (Ahern is Irish). Following the death, Tamara and her mother must move from their home in the exclusive Dublin beachside suburb, Killiney, to live with family outside a remote rural town in southern Ireland.

We all live in our own reality. Cecelia Ahern’s The Book of Tomorrow’explores what happens when we step outside that reality. When we start to realise that our behaviours, expectations and relationships are formed by the very limited environment in which we live. Tamara’s new life and new friends are a far cry from those of her old life.

Cecelia Ahern, like other contemporary Irish authors like Maeve Binchey and Monica McInerney, has the ability to bring to life the unique Irish spirit and humour and rich country side, transporting the reader to Ireland. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.