Starting Over

By Tony Parsons

This is the story of how we grow old - how we give up the dreams of youth for something better - and how many chances we have to get it right.

George Bailey has been given the gift we all dream of - the chance to live his life again.
After suffering a heart attack at the age of 42, George is given the heart of a 19-year-old - and suddenly everything changes...

He is a friend to his teenage son and daughter - and not a stern Home Secretary, monitoring their every move.

He makes love to his wife all night long - instead of from midnight until about five past. And suddenly he wants to change the world, just as soon as he shakes off his hangover.

But George Bailey discovers that being young again is not all it is cracked up to be - and what he actually wants more than anything in the universe is to have his old life back.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0007226519
• ISBN13: 9780007226511
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

A story of the heart

I have always loved Mr. Parsons' books, although this time I'm not sure... A heart-squeezing story though, where the heart, if you excuse the pun, is all that matters, physically and metaphorically. We follow the heart misadventures of George Bailey, who has suffered a massive heart attack and needs a replacement. The donor is a 19 year-old. After the surgery and survival, George's life changes completely. A very emotional path takes him and his family through an unexpected journey. Mr. Parsons is able to convey emotions in a simple yet deep narrative. Bittersweet feelings alternate beautifully as it is customary with Mr. Parsons' writing and subsequently we ponder over the meaning of life and love. A good book, certainly, although this time it did not fulfill my expectations completely.