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Book Reviews of Gabriel's Gift: A Novel

Gabriel's Gift: A Novel
Gabriel's Gift A Novel
Author: Hanif Kureishi
ISBN-13: 9780743217132
ISBN-10: 0743217136
Publication Date: 9/24/2002
Pages: 224
Rating:
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 4

3 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Scribner
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

2 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed Gabriel's Gift: A Novel on + 1062 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't really care for this book. It was a story of a 15 year old kid whose parents had separated. It never explained the bizarre instances of the pictures he drew becoming real objects and it left one to believe he was just unhappy and maybe mentally unstable for a time. The meeting with the rock star made references to some strange insight they may have shared, but it never explained that either. It is a fairly short read and just a story of people struggling to find themselves. It never really developed, in my opinion. I would not have listed it on my "1001 books to read..." list, but it is on the official list. I was disappointed with this one.
perryfran avatar reviewed Gabriel's Gift: A Novel on + 1229 more book reviews
I liked this short novel about how a young man eventually brings his parents back together after it looked like there was little hope for the parents or the family as a whole. Gabriel is a talented artist and wants to be a film maker. His father is a washed up guitar player who once played with one of the greats in the 1970s (Lester Jones) until he broke his ankle by falling off his platform shoes! At a chance meeting with Lester, Gabriel is given a drawing by Lester which turns out to be a turning point for the family. Along the way, Gabriel's father turns to teaching guitar and pulls himself from the bottom. The background of the story includes a lot of rock and roll nostalgia and British pop society which I thought was fascinating at times. Overall, I enjoyed this one and would recommend it.