The Gift by Cecilia Ahern is a magical holiday novel. It is the story of Lou, a workaholic, who meets Gabe, a homeless man, outside his building and gives him a cup of coffee and then a job in a moment of unusual generosity. Things get strange from there. Gabe (the angel Gabriel?) seems to know more about Lou’s life than he knows himself, and he always seems to be in two places at once.

The novel is set in Dublin, where Ahern lives. It is meant to be a modern day take on A Christmas Carol. It is not Ahern’s best. It was enjoyable to read, but not memorable.

I liked some of Aherns earlier novels much more, including  Thanks for the Memories and P.S. I Love You. She is a good storyteller and I enjoy reading her novels when I’m in the mood for something not too heavy. I also have a soft spot for Irish writers. I will look for what she writes next.