Is "true love' real? Is there really a love that can be found between two people who were meant for each other and no one else? Most people want to answer "Yes" and author Cecelia Ahern knows it. Her novel Where Rainbows End is a reworking of the timeless story of two people who come irresistibly together despite many obstacles.
Rosie, the main character in this novel, has some of the characteristics of her name. Dogged by a difficult start to her adult life " a pregnancy to a man she does not love " she continues to struggle in a spirited way both emotionally and financially. Her best friend, Alex, is her main confidant and she regularly emails him.
Aimed at older teens and young women, Where Rainbows End is a collection of correspondence between various characters. A common subject of the emails is why Rosie and Alex are with other people and not together. Are they apart because of a series of misunderstandings or because life just isn't a fairytale?
After what seems like a long time, for this reader at least, a crucial letter in which Alex has revealed his feelings is finally seen by Rosie. Described in an ending (which is stylistically very awkward), Alex and Rosie come together at last. I have given away the story" but you already knew how it would end, didn't you?!
Where Rainbows End is, in effect, a novel made up entirely of dialogue. Getting used to the device takes some time and there is the sense that a character's feelings and motivations must remain unknown or be taken at face value.
Rosie believes God has no idea how life's difficulties can be sorted out. She emails her sister,
"I've sat around for years thinking about it and I've discovered that no one, not even the big man upstairs, has the slightest clue as to what's going on."(pg247).
In contrast, the Christian believes God has ultimate control in the world. He even has a special plan for each of us and promises to be with us through our difficulties. One clear result of Rosie and Alex making decisions without reference to an omnipotent God, is the way they deal with their marriage partners. Rosie tries hard to stay with her wayward husband but, in the end, they both extricate themselves from their marriages and are then free to be together. This would appear to be an acceptable outcome when the couple concerned are soul mates.
"True love' in film and literature can justify almost anything. But "true love' as demonstrated by God is a love which puts self second, is prepared to forgive, to endure, to persevere. It is a challenge for Christians to live guided by Biblical understanding of love in a world which embraces the message this book portrays.
