The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud tells the haunting story of a young man who narrowly survives a terrible car wreck that kills his little brother. Years later, the brothers’ bond remains so strong that it transcends the normal boundaries separating life and death. Charlie St. Cloud lives in a snug New England fishing village. By day he tends the lawns and monuments of the ancient cemetery where his younger brother, Sam, is buried. Graced with an extraordinary gift after surviving the accident, he can still see, talk, and even play catch with Sam’s spirit. But townsfolk whisper that Charlie has never recovered from his loss. Into his carefully ordered life comes Tess Carroll, a captivating, adventuresome woman training for a solo sailing trip around the globe. Fate steers her boat into a treacherous storm that blows her back to harbor, to a charged encounter with Charlie, and to a surprise more overwhelming than the violent sea itself. Charlie and Tess discover a beautiful and uncommon connection that leads to a race against time and a desperate choice between death and life, between the past and the future, between holding on and letting go. Luminous, soulful, and filled with unforgettable characters, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is one of those rare, wise books that reveal the mysteries of the unseen world around us, gently transforming the worst pain of loss into hope, healing, and even laughter. Suspenseful and deeply moving, its startling climax reminds us that sometimes tragedies can bring about miracles if we simply open our hearts. Charlie St. Cloud loves his kid brother, Sam, more thananything else in the world. So one day, he "borrows" their neighbor'scar and takes Sam to see a Red Sox game, never dreaming that theirescapade will end in a terrible accident that Sam does notsurvive. Thirteen years pass. Still keeping his promise to his brotherthat he'll never leave him, Charlie is the caretaker at Waterside, thecemetery where Sam is buried. Every evening, as soon as Waterside issecured for the night, Charlie goes to a hidden area of the memorialpark and plays catch with his brother. Meanwhile, master sailor Tessis ready to make a solo trip around the world even though she lovesthe "snug little village" of Marblehead, Massachusetts. But in spiteof her state-of-the-art vessel, her tip-top physical fitness, and thedrive of an adventurer, she barely survives a disastrous trialrun. Shaken, she visits her father's grave and meets Charlie, who isimmediately drawn to her. However, he believes that because he robbedSam of his life, he doesn't deserve love, but the more he's around theliving, the weaker his link to the dead becomes. Uniquely lyrical,Sherwood's story of a devotion so strong it transcends death ismystical, magical, and moving. Shelley Mosley Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved “Ben Sherwood is an amazing writer with the rare gift of evoking genuine emotion. The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is touching, wise, and full of hope, everything a wonderful novel should be. Read it – you’ll be glad you did.” --Nicholas Sparks, bestselling author “ The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is one of the most magical love stories I've ever read. In his wonderfully inventive way, Ben Sherwood has written a shining affirmation of life.” -- Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees "Loved it, loved it, loved it!! Refreshingly romantic, dangerously good fun, hugely addictive. All too infrequently I pick up a book that is a pure pleasure to read….Intelligent, moving, and sweetly wise, Ben Sherwood is all set to find his way into the soft heart of American literature." --Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat "Sweet and inspirational.... [with] humor all his own." -- The Daily News (NY) The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud tells the haunting story of a young man who narrowly survives a terrible car wreck that kills his little brother. Years later, the brothers’ bond remains so strong that it transcends the normal boundaries separating life and death. Charlie St. Cloud lives in a snug New England fishing village. By day he tends the lawns and monuments of the ancient cemetery where his younger brother, Sam, is buried. Graced with an extraordinary gift after surviving the accident, he can still see, talk, and even play catch with Sam’s spirit. But townsfolk whisper that Charlie has never recovered from his loss. Into his carefully ordered life comes Tess Carroll, a captivating, adventuresome woman training for a solo sailing trip around the globe. Fate steers her boat into a treacherous storm that blows her back to harbor, to a charged encounter with Charlie, and to a surprise more overwhelming than the violent sea itself. Charlie and Tess discover a beautiful and uncommon connection that leads to a race against time and a desperate choice between death and life, between the past and the future, between holding on and letting go. Lumin