Oscar and the Lady in Pink

Read this together with different of my English students (adult education) and almost everybody loved it. The story seems a bit simple at first but gradually pulls you in and won’t let you go. We watched the (only) French film after which -although a bit different and a tad over the top (esp. in Rose’s flashbacks of her former years as a champion wrestler)(but even then it’s still great!)- is pure magic. (Quite a few students liked the film even more than the book).

I love the authors writing. His creation of characters and story development. It’s touching, stimulates reflection and is overall wonderful read. Each time I read it, I discover something new.

I came across this book purely by accident whilst reading a review of 'The Fault in our Stars' by John Green. And a happy accident it turned out to be. Essentially this is a story about faith and poses the age-old question of how, if God does indeed exist, could he allow so much suffering to be visited upon the world. The way in which the author deals with this is through the story of Oscar (a ten-year old boy with incurable cancer) and his developing relationship with Granny Rose (the lady in pink). It is remarkable for two reasons. Firstly, he manages, through Granny Rose, to put forward a simple poignant view on why such suffering exists and he does so without coming across as evangelical. Secondly, he allows even the most agnostic of readers to retain their own beliefs whilst at the same time providing insight and understanding into why people hold on to their faith in adversity. And by achieving this through a series of letters to God (at Granny Rose's suggestion) Oscar manages to express his innermost feelings and to gradually come to terms with his awful predicament. He also learns to understand why his parents are so bereft at every visit and even manages to help his doctor come to terms with his 'failure' to provide a cure for his cancer. This is a beautifully written book which can easily be read in one sitting and could, I imagine, be of great comfort to many (both old and young) who find themselves in a similar situation. Not though for reading in public unless in possession of a heart of stone!

Charming, clever and poignant. Amazingly insightful look at relationships and life in general. You'll definitely cry. You'll definitely laugh. You'll definitely never forget the book. You'll definitely want all your friends to read it.A real masterpiece. Oscar and the lady in pink, will never leave you.

One of the most beautiful book I have ever read. Although the storyline is sad, it is very profound and will change the way you think about death. I strongly recommend this book to everybody. I often give it as a present to my friends, and so far everybody loved it.

I have bought this book for several people over the years, and recommended it to many others. It is, along with The Bridges of Madison County, the most moving book I have ever read, but beautifully written nonetheless. As someone who wishes to write, one can only dream of producing a work like this.

...i dont understand how this book is out of market in the US. It's just so genuin, natural, deep, intense. Helps to get everything under the right prospective. Could not imagine better book if you are looking at the meaning of your life.Simply great.

beautiful book!

Gli argomenti trattati

The story of Oscar is inspiring and makes us remember how important communication is, especially for families who're living with ill kids.I already read this book in English, Portuguese and French.

Excellent read !

It was just what I needed for my AP class. I will use it alongside the novel to reinforce some key ideas.

This is a wonderful book. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because I first read the original French version and although the translator has done an admirable job, the English translation, perhaps inevitably, does not read quite as beautifully as the original.I would recommend the book to anybody, young or old, who realizes that life is short and wants to come to terms with what happens at the end of it. In our Western civilization we have learned to be afraid of death and dying. Here is a story of a boy who has only a few days to live and who stops being afraid because he makes friends, in his own unique way, with the one who set it all up in the first place.It's a short story that can be read in a few hours. If you don't read another book before you die, read this one.(Note: The book has a Christian slant, but of course not only Christians die. Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt has written similar books from Muslim and Buddhist points of view.)