The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud Claire Sheppard Summary Charlie St. Cloud is a man that has never moved on from the death of his little brother Sam. Sam was killed in a car accident and Charlie feels that it is his fault. He is so overwhelmed by guilt that he takes a job at a near by cemetery, where Sam is buried, to stay close to him. Even years after Sams death, Charlie has a special bond with his dead brother that has never been broken. Although Sam has died, Charlie can still see him, touch him and even play catch with him. Ever since Charlie has discovered this miracle, he has promised Sam that he will meet him everyday in the woods to play catch and talk. Charlie has kept his promise for nine years and keeping it has put his life on hold. He never went to college, left his small town or moved on from his brothers death. Then Tess, the girl of Charlies dreams, comes into his life and Charlie is forced to make a hard decision that he should have made years earlier. Charlie must choose to either move on and let go of his brother, or let go after the girl of his dreams. Quotes In The Life and Death of Charlie St. Cloud, a quote was used many times throughout the story. The quote Trust your heart if the seas catch fire. Live by love though the stars walk backwards. Honor the past but welcome the future. by E.E Cummings was mentioned at Sams funeral, the end of the book and a couple of other times throughout the story. I think this quote means that you should trust your heart no matter what is trying to influence you otherwise. I also think that the last part means you should remember the past but also remember that you cant change it. You should welcome the future because you can control what you do in the future, but not the things you wish you could change in the past. Collage About the Author Ben Sherwood is one of the best-selling authors around the world. Ben graduated from Harvard University and Magdalen College Oxford with degrees in English Literature. Besides The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, he has written The Survivors Club, The Man Who Ate the 747, Red Mercury. Sherwood has written many pieces for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, New Republic, Washington Monthly, and Parade and O magazine. He is currently working on a new book and is living in Los Angeles with his wife Karen and sons Will and Charlie.