The Devil and George Bailey
By Tom Horn
- Release Date: 2011-09-07
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
The long-awaited sequel to the legendary film "It’s a Wonderful Life," this story takes up where the movie left off, but veers quickly into dark, unfamiliar territory.
Old George Bailey never did make it out of his little town of Bedford Falls; his one dying hope was that his children would take up the torch and explore the world as he’d always dreamed of doing … but, sadly, none shared his dream.
This is a story about search and redemption. Spanning four decades and five continents, it is a tale of renewal, obsession, presage, ambition; of self-inflicted isolation and dwindling friendships in the 20th century: a century whose task is to rediscover its gods.
Reviews
Completely unique experience
5By V. McLaughlinI'm not a huge movie buff, but It's a Wonderful Life is one of those classics that I've seen many times over the years and have always enjoyed. So I was curious to read this book - and when I finally sat down and started, I couldn't put it down. The preface establishes the narrator - who accidentally discovers that George Bailey (the hero from It's a Wonderful Life) really did exist. Not only did he exist, but the miracle in Bedford Falls as told in the movie really did happen. The first chapter picks up with the very last scene of the movie and this is when the story really takes off. The characters become more realistic than you ever experienced them in the movie, and much darker than you'd ever expect. Over the course of the book, "the miracle" starts to look more and more like a curse, and the characters - as they are fleshed out by the author - become darker and their world grittier. The first thing I liked about the book is the way the writer slowly reveals details about the characters and keeps you wanting more. Every time you think they cant' go further - they do. Secondly, I simply love the idea of building new lives out of characters we already know. This really blew my mind - because I already have a certain character image - in this case James Stewart as George Bailey - built in my mind - and now the writer has taken control of him and is turning him into someone so real and different. He's been taken from classic hollywood fluff - to the mean streets of reality TV - and it's shock to the senses. Overall I highly recommend this book - it's like nothing you've read before, and I think it could be the catalyst for a new genre .Excellent
5By dti17An amazing workiBooks superior
5By AlexaBelThe iPad (iBook) version of this book is so much better than the competitionsize doesn't matter
5By youngreader2Don't let the size of the book intimidate you, you'll get totally lost in the plot. Amazing read.sweet read
5By ok mayaThis book rocksThis one snuck up on me
5By NewFeFeI bought this ibook on a recommendation by a co-worker, who was raving about it. I figured okay I'd give it a shot, maybe just read a few chapters. So I opened it up and the next thing I knew I was already 200 pages in! The story is nothing less than spectacular, with a style that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go. This book deserves five stars and then some. Now it's me doing the recommending!Beautiful storytelling
5By Westside LeserIt is with no hesitation that I say many of the pages of Tom Horn's "The Devil and George Bailey" are among the most striking that I have ever read -- and I have read many a novel in my life. This is a remarkable story from a remarkable storyteller. The book left me already waiting for his next one!Shockingly good
5By WIBookieRomantic, suspenseful, offbeat and thrilling. This book is shockingly good from cover to cover.More than a sequel
5By J. KinneyThis novel is more than a sequel to an old classic. In fact, there's really nothing to compare it to. It's big. It's brash. It's smart and sexy. And it kept me guessing the whole way through, which isn't easy to do. I'm glad I found it.Rip roarin' ride
5By ben coffmanWhen I opened this book, I had no idea what I was in for -- what a ride! Once you start it, hang on tight!