A Parting Gift

by Ben Erickson

Book Overview

Josh is 17 years old when he is enlisted to help an old man write his memoirs. Beautifully evoking ordinary life, A Parting Gift explores such fundamental puzzles as how to live one's life, the reason for existence and the nature of God.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446677221
• ISBN13: 9780446677226
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A precious and memorable tale

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

Extraordinarily uplifting and insightful....

"A Parting Gift" has made me look at the world a diferent way. I have the honor to know Mr. Erickson's son, Bill. The book was written to him upon his high school graduation. Having a personal connection to the family and knowing the intentions of the book made it even that much more compelling of a read. Mr. Erickson does a wonderful job of weaving all the lessons he has learned in life into this coming of age story. He has such a commanding knowledge of everything from philosophy to history that book becomes rich in detail and imagery. I would recommend this book to anyone. It has made me probe into my own thoughts and discover things I never knew were there. After all, great books are supposed to make us see more in ourselves that we did before, aren't they?

A gentle, involving story.

At seventeen Josh is almost of age, but confused - his broken home has affected his life and he's in danger of drifting, until a friendship with an old man helps provide direction. Lonely William involves Josh in the story of his life and its changes and in the course of sharing provides Josh with one of the most important gifts he can give. A gentle, involving story.

Great book for young adults

As a high school library media specialist, I am always looking for a book that will appeal to young adults. After I purchased this book, I gave it to some of my students. They all enjoyed the book and the message it conveys - without being preachy. They also noted that a book could be a "good read" even without offensive language, violence and sex.

A STUDY IN MAKING ONE FEEL BETTER ABOUT LIFE

As a resident and bayside dweller in the area where this book is set, I was impressed,not only with the author's love and feel for the place, but with the purity and joy of his story. Without an ounce of profanity or lewd sexual situations, Erickson has written a compelling story of the good in man. Mr. Davis is a person that most people would wish to have in their lives and young Josh is his youthful equivalent. Wonderful reading...you'll come away with a warm and contented feeling.