The key issues in this book are, regret, afterlife, wishes, and time. The author's theme is to never do wrong, in the end you will regret it. I think the author's purpose for writing this book was to say that its never to late to correct your mistakes.Characters: Meg Finn- Protagonist - Meg is rebellious teen, when she was young she lost her mom in an accident. Ever since then she has turned to a bad girl. She enjoys doing what she wants to do, and hates it when she is told what to do.Lowrie McCall- This old coot, as Meg likes to call him, had a thing for sitting around at home moping, after Meg's arrival he started feeling alive again. He has regretted lots of things in his life and turns It all around. He likes being right. He can be a little mean at times, but its to be expected since he only has so long to live.Belch- Antagonist - Belch is the all-time bad boy. He has a tendency to steal and enjoys breaking and entering, fighting, robbing, and other crimes. Belch is rude, mean, unforgiving, and never grateful.For Meg Finn, going to heaven means everything. After her mothers death she is left with her step father Franco Kelly, who is snobbish and treats her poorly. That day when she made the mistake of breaking and entering a house, along with Belch, her accomplice, would be her last. That house belonged to Lowrie McCall, an elder who's day wouldn't turn out the greatest either. Meg only now realizes what she has done, and is forced to help Lowrie. With his Wish list, compromised of four important things he needed to do. The only problem? They have a week to travel around Ireland to complete those tasks. Will they make it?I gave this book 4/5 stars because it was confusing at times and didn't grab my attention to much at the beginning. I enjoyed reading this book because it kept you on your toes, and makes you want to know how it will end. The most difficult part about this book was that it switched characters mid-chapter and you have to infer who is telling what. I would read another book by this author because I enjoyed the fact that it had angels and demons, as well as the afterlife theme! If you like supernatural stuff, and spirits, you'll like this book, its filled with it.Book Project: Q2:#1
It was okay. It wasn't the best but not the worst.Okay, I'm not the type of person that believes in heaven and/or hell. (Though I do sometimes tell someone to go to hell.) I just think the all that stuff is a little over rated (if you haven't guessed all ready, I don't go to church). The whole go-to-heaven-if-good-and-live-forever-in-bliss, or go-the-hell-if-bad-and-live-forever-in-flames, is a little bit cheesy and over done. But the things that Eoin Colfer does in this book is very orignal. What with bringing the modern age in to the afterlife, and the soul residue colors, and the humor from Bub, and the connection between Bub and Peter, and more. It really turns the classic heaven and hell upside down. I like it.Wow, really rare. Well, at least it sounds rare. The purple soul residue. But it seems to me that amost all of us have a little purple in us. There are moments when we all do bad, and when we all do good. Basically no one is just straight black and white, or red and blue in the book. But the way they have it determinded whether you are going to heaven or hell in the book is to see if the good or bad out weigh the other. Sounds fair....I love Meg's attuidude. It's very funny, but not very nice. I can see how she could be purple, she doesn't seem very nice but does do good things. Meg is bad but not evil.The relationship between Lowrie and Meg is a complicated one. More of a love/hate relationship. Which is fine with them. But kind of confusing. If it wasn't for the lines about a bond between them, a normal person looking on the outside would think that they hate eachother.Weird, you can only see sprits if you are close to death. Interesting....If that's true then someone who says that they can see ghosts are close to death ALL the time....but that can't be right. Someone can't be close to their death ALL the time, it's just not possible. But I have to rememeber that this is a book after all, and probably not a word about the afterlife in it is true. That's basically it. I know, I know. This review is not as long as some of the others, but there's really not much to say about this book....
What do You think about The Wish List (2004)?
I was thoroughly unimpressed with this book. I picked it up because I loved the Artemis Fowl series and wanted to read something else by Colfer. This being one of his earlier books, I think I picked the wrong story to start with. I'll have to try something more recent later.On to the story:I liked the concept. The idea of a person being perfectly balanced between heaven and hell is intriguing. And the general plot of Meg having to go back to Earth and earn herself some extra good points to get her into heaven was neat. (Not something I personally believe can happen, but this is fiction, so it doesn't turn me off the story in any way.)However, I never really saw the good side of Meg. Sure, she's helping Lowrie with his wish list, but that's completely self-serving and doesn't prove she's changed for the good. She really only does one good deed in the entire book; is that actually enough to sway her into heaven after years of criminal actions?Also, Belch is a completely ineffective antagonist. His entire mission is to stop her from helping Lowrie, but he's too stupid to be of any use. Not once does he actually hinder her. Of course, this being MG/YA fiction, we want a happy ending. However, I should feel concern for Meg along the way. Belch, doesn't make me worry.And, as much as I loved Colfer's writing style in Artemis Fowl, I didn't like it in The Wish List. He constantly broke the fourth wall, which pulled me from the story every time. And the pacing felt slow. The characters just moved through the story, completing one wish then moving on to the next.Also, with the way the story built up what happened between Meg and step-father, I expected something far more epic than what actually happened. I know Colfer can do epic, but this wasn't it.So, like I said above, I was unimpressed.
—Candice Beever
While growing up I was taught that there is a heaven, a hell and a limbo in the afterlife. Eoin Colfer turns this premise into a fantastic fantasy. The book starts out with a violent episode in which two teens are attacking an old man in his home. The rest of the book ameliorates this, however. The two teens die and both are sent back to earth. Meg is sent back so that she can improve her aura through good deeds with the old man. (If your aura is blue you go to heaven and if it is red you go to hell. Presently, her color is a neutral purple.) Belch is also sent back to earth but he has been sent by Satan to “turn” Meg to the dark side. The old man (Lowrie) decides to face the end of his life by trying to achieve four wishes that he failed to achieve when he was younger. His four wishes are so sweet and they are wonderful in the way they are completed. Because Meg can possess Lowrie’s body, they share thoughts and emotions and flashbacks. Eventually, they become friends. This was cool. Heaven and hell are up to speed with technology and, funnily, technology is woven into the book. A fun read!
—Elizabeth
By the end of the first chapter, 14 year old Meg Finn is dead, along with her 16 year old partner in crime, Belch, and his ravening pit bull of indeterminate age. Her last living act--robbing an old age pensioner. Belch's last living act--miscalculating the effect of shot gun pellets on a rusty old gas tank.Next time we see Meg, she's a spirit awaiting her fate. But when her good and bad deeds are totaled--surprise!--it's a tie. Apparently there's no tossing a coin in the afterlife. Meg is sent back to earth until her life force gives out, at which time surely the scales will have tipped one way or the other.I won't tell you how it all turns out, but trust the incredibly imaginative Eoin Colfer to provide surprises, wit, and pathos as Meg tries to help a robbery victim and old age pensioner tick off the last four items on his bucket list. Satan has different plans, however, and sends the spirit of Belch (inextricably mixed with the soul of his pit bull) to stop her.I just wanted to add that it is what DIDN'T happen in the book that impressed me as much as what did. I liked the fact that Meg didn't get another chance at mortal life, that she didn't acquire a love interest, and that Lowry, Meg's old age pensioner, didn't accomplish quite everything on his to-do list. Colfer may caricature the denizens of heaven and hell, but for the reader Meg and Lowry come to life.
—Ellen
