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A Parting Gift
by Ben Erickson
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (2000-05-19)
ISBN: 0446525308
EAN: 9780446525305
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Hardcover: 288 pages
SKU: 01092
Condition: Collectible: Very Go
Comments: Very good condition from non smoking home, first edition, may 2000
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
When 17-year-old Josh Bell meets 84-year-old William Davis, an unusual friendship develops between the old man in the last months of his life and the young boy unsure of his future and his place in the world. Enlisted to help Mr. Davis write his memoir, Josh quickly realizes that any help he offers is trivial compared to the insight and wisdom the old man gives to him. Throughout the old man's reminiscences and the colorful tales of times past, Josh learns lessons about life, love, and friendship that he will carry with him forever. Beautifully evoking small town life, "A Parting Gift" explores such fundamental questions as: Why am I here? How should I live my life? is there a God? In the young man's earnest searching, and in the elderly man's reflections, the novel bears witness to the timelessness of certain truths -- and their power to move us still.
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Customer Reviews
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Beautifully written
Rating  (5)
Date: 2007-02-10
Though others may say this book was just "another" book with the same old story line, I found it to be so wonderfully written and rich in detail and imagery that I truly felt that I was THERE and participating in parts of this book. I am and always have been a reader of many different genres but this book truly touched me in the wisdom that the author was hoping to pass onto his readers (I would think anyways). I am going to pick this book as our book clubs next book as I want to share it with others. Enjoy the book and the insights in it.
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Sweet story. Well told. No new point of view, though . . .
Rating  (3)
Date: 2005-05-01
While I enjoyed this gentle story about a boy at the beginning of this life making a connection with a man at the end of his journey, there was really nothing compelling or "new" about the plot.
The book followed a predictable plot line and ended as expected.
What came in the middle were some good lessons, but I feel the author could have done so much more with the two main characters.
A light, quick read with nothing much to "think about" after the last page has been turned.
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A Parting Gift
Rating (5)
Date: 2003-02-06
1 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
Beautifully written. Warm and compassionate. It makes the reader reflect on their own life, the choices they have made, the paths they have taken. If you liked this book, I would also recommend "Tending Roses" by Lisa Wingate.
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throw out the tv - and read something for a change
Rating (5)
Date: 2001-07-25
2 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
I'm not going to "tell" you the story like every one else wants to do - the back cover tells you the reason for the story and what it is about.I'd like to let you know why reading this book is worth more than watching the dumb tube or listening to all the replays of "Arms Wide Open" by Creed on the radio. Have you ever lived? Ever had a day where the memories stay with you forever, and you can always bring the memory back to your mind and help you through a present situation? Ever had a person that took the time out of their life to tell your punk-self about life and people, and how they did things when they were young? Need to talk to someone - someone you think would know the answer to a question you have - only to remember that the person died a year ago - or years ago? If you haven't had ONE thing happen to you that makes you reflect on others, life, your family, God, then go get the TV out of the trash - you're already DEAD and no one can help you. For the rest of the people reading this review - if you read "A Parting Gift" then you get to add another memory of a "good time" or of "time well spent." And maybe you'll even want to go see where the book was based. I was raised in Pensacola Florida, which is not far from the East Shore of Mobile Bay. I have visited the area - and to those who have never been - psst! there are still some places where you will not hear radios, or see houses, or even see and hear jet skis. Go read this book, and you'll briefly stop numbing yourself to the world and the noise. - and stop buying cable tv - go use the money to buy books - or take yourself or your kids to the Gulf and go fishing, swimming, and boating (don't get the boat with the engine!).
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A precious and memorable tale
Rating (5)
Date: 2001-07-02
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
In Mobile Bay, high school senior Josh Bell and his mother struggle everyday just to survive. His father rarely sends money and just about never sees Josh. Since he cannot depend on his dad, to supplement their meager income, Josh delivers the meals his mother cooks to senior citizens as part of the meals on wheels program. Stuck in a dismal present, Josh makes no plans for what he sees is an even more desolate future. When Josh delivers a meal to arthritic cripple William Davis, everything soon seems different to the teen. The elderly man hires Josh to help him record his memories of stories that always provide a moral ending. As the relationship between the lost student and the ailing octogenarian cements into more of a grandfather-son kinship, both gain as each finds a reason to live. A PARTING GIFT is a powerful relationship drama that focuses on the theme intelligence without compassion and wisdom is stupidity. The story line is not loaded with action, but provides an uplifting realistic dialogue between the two key characters. Readers will enjoy that bond though Josh seems more like a responsible adult than a troubled teen. Fans of second chance at living message tales will want to read this inspirational book. Harriet Klausner
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