Product Description

IF ONLY IT WERE TRUE
A couple unlike any other
A situation they can't believe
A love story impossible to forget
A young San Francisco architect returns to his apartment after an exhausting day. Relaxing in the bath, Arthur hears fingers snapping in time to the music on his radio. He traces the noise to a closet, where, to his surprise, he finds an attractive young woman. Thinking she's part of a practical joke, he asks her to leave. But Lauren, stunned to discover that Arthur can see and hear her reveals the extraordinary truth. Six months before, she was in a car crash; her body now lies in a hospital bed, in a coma. Initially sceptical, Lauren finally proves to Arthur that what she has said is true. But when the doctors decide to turn off the machines keeping Lauren alive, Arthur must find a way to save her. For it is only her love that can save him ...
In turn heartbreaking and hilarious, Arthur and Lauren are a couple unlike any other. In an unforgettable novel impossible to resist. Fall in love - again.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #446361 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Steven Spielberg has bought the film rights to Marc Levy's debut novel, If Only It Were True. He was so enthusiastic about the idea for the story that he handed over the cash ($2 million) before seeing the manuscript. And it is a great story. A young architect, Arthur, moves into his apartment and finds a girl in his closet. But Lauren Kline isn't an ordinary girl. She has been in a coma for six months after crashing her open top Triumph--her "heart is beating in one place" but her "spirit is alive somewhere else." And that somewhere else is with Arthur; he's the only one who can see, hear and touch her.

The book is unashamedly romantic, the couple fall in love, stroll through San Francisco, smooch on the sea shore and contemplate the true meaning of life and love. It's all about: "Recognising happiness when it's lying at your feet, having the will and the courage to reach down and take it in your arms, and to hold on to it." But Lauren's life support machine is about to be turned off and Arthur must save his invisible girl because "each second with you is worth more than any other second."

The dialogue is intense, soul bearing and perhaps slightly naive. This is a compelling story and the novel's tone allows for endless speculation about the style of the eventual film. It would make a fine screwball comedy, or a medical drama--ER goes Oprah. Spielberg could exploit the living dead angle: a zombie rom.com, a sort of Re-animating Baby. Perhaps it will star Meg Ryan and be wistful and wide-eyed. And surely there's only one possibility for the soundtrack: The Smiths' "Girlfriend in a Coma"? --James Barry

The Guardian
'The latest international publishing sensation.'

About the Author
Marc Levy runs an architectural firm and divides his time between America and France. IF ONLY IT WERE TRUE is his first novel

Customer Reviews

Fantastic 5*
After seeing the film in January (I absolutely loved it) i thought why not read the original book? (originaly published as 'If Only It Were True'). For anyone not familiar with the plot a young and successful doctor (Lauren) is involved in a car crash, some weeks later architect Authur moves into Laurens apartment and soon discovers her occupying a closet in his bathroom. As the only person who can see Lauren a very special bond begins to grow. But can they get Lauren back into her living form?
I bought the book on the friday morning and had finished it by the saturday evening, i couldnt put it down, the film is nothing compaired to the book!! The plot is slightly changed for reasons best known to the screenplay writer(s)as the book is brilliant in comparison.At the end of every chapter you are left wanting more, and so you have to read on, i would strongly urge any chic lit/ rom com lovers to buy this book it is a lovely story with everything you could want laughs, loves and a few tears.

why not?
I read this book in its original French: (as a resident in France it was the first book I have read in a foreign language.)
The reviews on the British Amazon site didn't seem to be very encouraging so I looked on Amazon.fr where they were much better. I think one can concede from that that the book isn't as successful in translation.
I found the book very imaginative and I thought it was interesting to decide for yourself whether or not the story was supposed to be true (within the boundary of fiction) or not.
A brilliant and unusual idea...I think everyone will have their own ideas about how much they are supposed to believe.
I am going to give this book in its original language to French friends. I really enjoyed it and found the flow of words beautiful.

Good Idea....
I must admit I was a little disappointed after reading this book, a brilliant idea for a storyline but it just wasn't that well written.

It almost felt as if I was reading a book aimed at teenagers. There is no real depth to the characters,all explantions are skimmed over and not developed or explored at all. Arthur and Lauren begin a love affair (Well I take it thats what happens as apparently they kiss and spend some intimate time together, which is never fully explained!) but the whole love affair reads as a matterof fact thing that just happened because shes a woman (or ghost or whatever) and he's a man - So on that basis I think I'll walk down my street today and begin an affair with the first man I bump into because, heys he's a man thats what happens!! Wheres the chemistry?

If you want a real heart-retching romance or love story with meaning and a plot read "The Bronze Horseman" a far superior novel in every way!