One Hundred Names - Cecelia Ahern (2012)

Kitty Logan made a massive mistake, promptly ruining her career as a TV journalist. Not only did she make a mistake but that mistake cost someone much more than she would have ever thought. On top of that, the people who found out she was wrong won't let her forget it. She's living through constant abuse and hate and doesn't really know how to start again. Luckily, her long-time friend and editor, Constance, still believes in her ability to tell a story so Kitty has the chance to show she's still a good journalist through Constance's offbeat magazine, Etcetera. However, before Kitty can find out what story her friend always wanted to write, she dies, leaving Kitty in control of a list of One Hundred Names. Not knowing any of the people on the list or what it is that connects them all, Kitty must embark on a journey of tracking down the individuals and trying to see them through the wise eyes of Constance. Can Kitty figure out how the story is supposed to go before it's too late? This was a thought-provoking novel and Kitty is a great character who is slightly flawed and has lost her way - just like any normal person. However, figuring out what connects the hundred names seems to go on forever and there never is a definitive answer as to what it is. There are snippets of what connects them but nothing really solid so at the end, you're left with more questions than answers. That being said, it's kind of easy to come to your own conclusion about what connects the people and why they were picked. While this was a good book, with a great message, it definitely wasn't one of my favourite Cecelia Ahern novels. (AS)

Cecelia Ahern's upcoming novel One Hundred Names is about a journalist tracking down a list of people. The summary says: "Kitty Logan is a journalist who has just made a colossal mistake on a story, which puts her career on the line and sends her personal life into turmoil. Feeling at an all-time low and in need of some guidance, she visits her terminally ill mentor, editor and friend, Constance. Kitty asks her friend what story has she always wanted to write but never had the opportunity to? Constance instructs Kitty to retrieve a file from her office and bring it back to her in hospital. However, when Kitty returns with the envelope, it's too late. Constance has passed away. Opening the envelope, Kitty finds a list of names: one hundred names. There is no summary, no explanation, nothing else to explain what the story is or who these people are. The list is simply a mystery. Kitty embarks on the biggest story of her life, seeking out and meeting as many people on the list as she can to hear their stories, uncover Constance's own story, and, importantly, rediscover herself." One Hundred Names is out in October.

Back to Home