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“My advice would be just buy it and see for yourself just how brilliant it is.”
“Poignant and philosophical. It will make you think.”
“The Things We Learn When We’re Dead was a really lovely read. It made me think, made me cry, made me laugh and has lingered with me for days after I put it down.”
“It's such an enjoyable book that I devoured every page…different, refreshing, poignant, funny and thought-provoking.”
SCOTS WHAY HAE
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"The Things We Learn When We’re Dead is a delightful novel…it will have you reflecting on your own past, present and possible future. It may not change your life, but it might make you think twice, and you can’t ask much more from a novel than that."
“The more I read the harder it become to put down….This story really took me on an emotional ride, I could be laughing one moment and crying the next."
JODI TAYLOR - BEST SELLING AUTHOR
“Intriguing and compelling…a tale that grips until the very last page.”
“This book is so well-written, it could be about a man watching paint dry and I still would have loved it.”
“The overarching plot is clever, gripping and moving – it's hugely enjoyable. Clever and compelling, The Things We Learn When We're Dead takes the absurd humour of The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy, combines it with a smattering of the emotion and pathos from a book like David Nicholl's One Day, with a little splash of The Wizard of Oz thrown in for good measure. Highly recommended – this book is hugely original and well worth a read.”
“The story is exceptionally well written and flows wonderfully through the narrative…a gem of a book.”
“Just occasionally you read a book you know you are going to remember for a long time to come. "The Things We Learn When We're Dead" by Charlie Laidlaw is one of those books. It's beautifully written.”
“The storyline is very inventive and I found myself warming to Lorna the main character. I think it is a well written story and I am glad I have read it. I will certainly be looking out for more of Charlie’s books in the future. A big thumbs up from me.”
“I really enjoyed this ambitious, clever novel. Although the description of The Things We Learn When We're Dead may suggest science-fiction, this is actually a book that takes a fantastical idea to examine the very human conditions of regret, redemption and second chances. Intelligently plotted throughout, I may have been tempted by the Wizard of Oz comparison but it was the moving, funny and thoughtful writing that kept me engrossed. Refreshingly different yet all too relatable; I thoroughly recommend it.”
"Filled with wonderful characters, The Things We Learn When We’re Dead is a fantastic story that is incredibly well written...It’s unique, thought-provoking, sad and oh so funny at times."
CHARLOTTE, SOMEWHERE
"This was a wonderful novel and one I know I will want to re-read in future."
BOOKS AND WINE GUMS
"I loved this novel – it is very clever in its construction and rewards a close reading. I’m already waiting for his next novel."
"The Things We Learn When We're Dead I feel is a story about acceptance and hindsight. It also makes you realise that whatever choices you make in life don't just impact you but others around you as well. It made me think and re-evaluate my life believe me. I love books that bring a positive aspect to your real life situation, so thank you, Charlie. It was a pleasure to read."
"I must admit that I fell a little in love with this book. I absolutely loved it!"
"I thought the book was original, well-written, funny and sad at the same time. I absolutely loved it."
"It’s unique and it’s quirky...creating that much of a backstory to a character requires huge amounts of imagination, determination and a knack of being able to link it all."
"I would definitely recommend this book to readers of contemporary and general fiction...it is poignant, funny, sad, philosophical and it will make you think."
"Everything about this book is fantastic. It’s superbly written, insightful, and so imaginative."
READS &REELS
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"I love anything that shows me what it truly means to be human....genius."
LEFT ON THE SHELF
"I have heard this book being compared to The Wizard of Oz, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and The Lovely Bones and it is true that there are influences from those books throughout. However, I stress the word influence because, in my opinion, this book is very much better than all three of those books."
MY CHESTNUT READING TREE
"This is a poignant modern day fairy tale with a twist. I didn’t want it to end and found those final few pages to be quite emotionally charged, leaving me with an unexpected optimism about life in general and feeling very glad that I had read it."
BIBLIOBETH
"Would I recommend it? But of course!"
BLUE BOOK BALLOON
"Enthralling...a captivating read."
LITERARY FLITS
"An entertaining story that can be simply enjoyed at face value or it could be a trigger to consider our own life choices - how far we might have strayed from the lives we imagined we would lead."
KRAFTIREADER
"A very unique, imaginative story that was equally beautiful and uplifting"
BOOKS AND ME
"Highly recommended!"
MARIE'S BOOK BOUTIQUE
"Lighthearted, refreshing and beautifully written. I would highly recommend it!"
TOUCH MY SPINE
"What a spectacular novel that was filled with surprise and delight! I gladly endured a night without sleep for this 5 Star read."
CLEM LOVES
"This is such a brilliant, refreshing book to read. I highly recommend giving it a read if you’re looking for your next favourite book of 2018."
THE PURPLE ORCHID
"All in all, it is a brilliant thought provoking book that I completely enjoyed. Would I recommend reading this? Of course!!"
WHAT'S BETTER THAN BOOKS?
"Fresh, fantastical and unique."
STEPH'S BOOK BLOG
"A truly lovely novel...that took me completely by surprise."
SARAH WITH THE GLASSES
"I loved reading this...amazing."
I LOVED READING THIS
"Fantastic, humorous and very clever."
JESSICA RACHOW
"Overall, this is a fantastic novel. It’s one that is difficult to explain, and just needs to be experienced. I highly encourage you to pick this one up!"
BOOKS TEACUP AND REVIEWS
"Just loved this book."
JOYFUL ANTIDOTES
"A unique and well-written book."
BOOKSHINE AND READBOWS
"This book is a fascinating and thoughtful read which I would thoroughly recommend."
WHAT CATHY READ NEXT
"Quirky, engaging, imaginative."
RAE READS
"There is a fun and quirky side to this book with the addition of humour that makes it an even more enjoyable read."
CHAPTER AND CAKE
"Please go and get yourself a copy of this novel."
DIVINE WORLD OF BOOKS
"A very moving and impactful story that will stick with you long after you turned the last page!"
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DIVINE WORLD OF BOOKS
"A very moving and impactful story that will stick with you long after you turned the last page!"
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BELLE-LETTRES
"It is a book that I need other people to read because I just need to talk about it! It is a book that I feel will one day be taught in university or high school."
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IT TAKES A WOMAN
"...if we had the chance to go back over our memories and help them inform our future, what would we do?"
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SUZE REVIEWS
"Charlie Laidlaw has written a funny, poignant tale of love, loss, friendship and second chances. I really enjoyed it, and have no hesitation in recommending it."
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WRONG SIDE OF FORTY
"The Things We Learn When We’re Dead is a beautifully written and very unique book."
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