Customer Reviews

Unfinished Gift, The: A Novel

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Set in 1943, The Unfinished Gift is an engaging story of broken relationships and sorrow. Patrick is the age when a child still forgives easily and responds to love without reserve. While Walsh portrays that side, we also see Patrick as a little boy moved by a child's whims.

Patrick's grandfather is a bitter man who has cut off his son and his family. When Patrick arrives on his doorstep, he has no idea what to do with him. The child's very presence brings to the surface long-buried pain.

The social worker assigned to Patrick's case has fallen in love with the little boy. I don't like to give much of the story away in reviews but allow the reader to experience what I have as the story unfolds. Suffice it to say, Walsh resisted romantic clichés.

What he did do is make me cry and rob me of a good night's sleep. I couldn't put the book down. The Unfinished Gift is a satisfying, nostalgic read, one of forgiveness and restoration, of hope and faith. An exquisite debut novel. Novel Journey/Reviews gives it 4½ stars.

This book was absolutely wonderful!! I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days!

It is easy to read with a comfortable sized print good for older folks.

The story grabs you and carries all the way through to the end, bringing out many Christian truths along the way, encouraging our faith.

I am eagerly looking forward to the sequel!

What a heartwarming story! You'll root for the characters and enjoy the satisfying conclusion. The WWII time period adds depth to the experience, and the theme of forgiveness is so encouraging. This book will make a great gift, especially for Christmas. Looking forward to reading more books from Dan Walsh...

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh is an unexpected treasure. Patrick Collins is having a terrible Christmas. His mother killed in a car accident, his father fighting the Nazis overseas, he's sent off to wait for his father's return with a grandfather, Ian, he's never met. Ian is Scrooge personified: angry at the world, curmudgeonly, stingy, and holding on to a burning anger at Patrick's father that spills over into his relationship with the seven-year-old Patrick. Kathleen Townsend, Patrick's social worker, is doing everything she can to care for the sweet little boy, but when bad news comes, no one can protect him from the consequences. Walsh's rendering of Ian is that of a harsh almost brutal man, who turned his back on anyone who refused to do things his way. Patrick is a lovely, sweet boy who wants nothing more than to please the adults around him, but there's no pleasing Ian. Walsh reminds readers that Christmas is a time of second chances and to offer forgiveness. Keep tissues handy while reading this one!

If I lived up north, I'd save this book and read it on a cold weekend with a mug of hot chocolate nearby. It was full of nostalgia and memorable characters and reminded me what life looks like through the eyes of a child. Very enjoyable and has great nuggets of biblical truth woven throughout. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that is was not long enough! Looking forward to the sequel.

Every once in a while a very special book comes along that touches your heart on a deeper level. The Unfinished Gift is one of those books. This is the perfect book to read during this Christmas season. It has filled me with hope and warmth. I found myself thinking about this book, especially thinking about young Patrick, even when I wasn't reading. There were so many times when I just wanted to reach into the pages of this book and wrap my arms around Patrick. He is such a sweet little boy who won my heart.

Before we entered World War II (this story takes place in 1943), life was so much simpler and there was a feeling of innocence in the country. The same could be said for Patrick, he was so innocent and young and his faith was strong. When confronted with the harsh realities of life, he kept the faith and maintained his innocense. I just loved the nostalgic feeling of this story.

The Unfinished Gift is a wonderful Christmastime story. It is very well written and a very easy book to read. It is a fast read, but I recommend taking your time to savor it. Keep the tissue close by as well because this story will tug at your heartstrings. Don't miss out on this story. You will be deeply touched.

This touching story with themes of forgiveness and redemption is a wonderful read for the Christmas season. It would make a great gift, too, since it's hardcover with a beautifully designed book jacket. I especially love the way the author set up the sequel, The Homecoming. I can't wait to read that one, too!

This book was an enjoyable and easy read. The story of a grumpy old man, full of bitterness, and a young boy who has lost his mother in a car accident and whose father is a bomber stationed in England. Through circumstances outside their control, the two are thrown together and forced to work through the issues of the past 10+ years.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing more books from Dan Walsh hit the shelves in the years to come. He writes in an easy-to-read style, yet brings the language and settings of time-period to life. This story has twists that are unexpected and will keep you turning the pages.

I got 50 pages into the book and then turned to the back to see how long it was, because I didn't want it to end. The characters are so expertly developed they draw you right into the story. I enjoyed this book so much I read it again out loud to my family. We can't wait for the sequel. Great gift!

I absolutely LOVED this story!! I was so caught up with all the characters, that I felt as if I were a part of the story myself. Can't wait for the sequel in June!!