''If Only It Were True'' () is the

first novel A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to p ...

by the French author Marc Levy. It was released in 1999 by Éditions Robert Laffont, and was translated into English the following year. The novel has been adapted into an array of motion pictures, including the 2005 American film '' Just Like Heaven''.

Plot

''If Only it Were True'' is set against the backdrop of

San Francisco San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...

and tells the story of Lauren Kline, a young, pretty, medical resident, completely devoted to her work in the emergency room of San Francisco Memorial Hospital. She works round-the-clock dealing with patients until she gets into a serious car crash. As a result of the crash, Lauren enters a coma. She "wakes" to awareness outside of her still comatose body and is frustrated to learn that she cannot communicate with anyone. She chooses to spend most of her time in her old apartment, where she is discovered by Arthur, the new tenant. Only he can see, hear, or touch her. After some initial disbelief on his part, Arthur agrees to help Lauren.

Sequel

A sequel to the novel entitled '' Vous revoir'' was published in 2005.

Adaptations

The novel has been adapted into several films including the American film '' Just Like Heaven'' and the Indian films ''

Vismayathumbathu ''Vismayathumbathu'' () is a 2004 Indian Malayalam-language psychological thriller film written, directed and produced by Fazil (director), Fazil. It stars Mohanlal, Mukesh (actor), Mukesh, and Nayanthara. Mohanlal plays Sreekumar, who possess ...

'' and '' I See You''.

References

1999 French novels French romance novels Novels set in San Francisco French novels adapted into films 1999 debut novels Romantic fantasy novels Éditions Robert Laffont books {{1990s-romance-novel-stub