Someone mentioned to me that she likes that I also review/record books that I've read and don't like. Well, this book is right up there for me. Back when guyczuk was in 4th grade, his teacher came to me one day, saying I had to read this book she'd just read. It was the best book EVER and she stayed up all night to finish it, crying as she read. Being the sort of mother who likes to see what makes her son's 24 year old teacher (who spent more time on the internet planning her upcoming wedding than she did teaching) tick, I borrowed the book.I. Hated. It.Sappy, tugging at your heart-strings, sentimental, pap. Totally unrealistic situation for an Alzheimer's patient, too, and I know from Alzheimer's, trust me. Things just don't happen like that, and I could not be charitable enough to engage the willing suspension of disbelief mode. If the writing had been good, I could have given it credit. But let's not go there.My dislike for the book had 3 consequences:1. I decided to give Sparks one more try. Nope. My opinion didn't change. You've heard of do not call lists? He's on my "do not read" list. I only BookCross copies of his book I've been given. Won't even pick them up second hand.2. When the film of this movie was made here in Charleston, I had the chance to be an extra. As much as I would have liked that experience, I turned it down. And yes, I have NOT seen the movie.3. One day I was in Books-A-Million. There was a huge crowd of women fluttering around an author. He was a clean cut, preppie-ish kind of guy (I remember that his blue shirt had an unfortunate white collar.) When I found out it was Nicholas Sparks, doing a book-signing, I tried to skirt around the crowd. His handler stopped me."Don't you want to meet the author?""No thanks," I replied."But he's rather good. Have you read his books?""Umm. Yes, but I'd rather not meet him.""You've read his books and don't want to meet him? Why not???""I'd rather not say," I said, trying to break the iron grip she had on my arm."He'll sign one for you." "No thank you."At this point, my struggling to get free caught the author's attention. He rose from his signing table, the red sea of women clustering around him parted and he came over to me. He was quite polite, and attentive, and inquired why I was so adamant about not participating in the book signing. Again, I demurred. He insisted. Did I like his book? Well-- no, not exactly. He pushed for details. I'd had enough and let loose with what I thought.To give him credit, he didn't blanch though his handler did, and I actually heard a hiss from one of the ladies in the crowd. He thanked me for my opinion, and said he would rather have someone who vehemently disliked his book that someone who said it was so-so. At least he'd stirred a strong emotion in me. To this day, that is the only thing I like about Nicholas Sparks.
As an author, I learned that this romantic, simple style is not my cup of tea. Although I enjoy cheesy comedies (the work of Capra springs to mind), I don't yearn to write them myself. The original love story of this novel was a little too pat and plain-- it was too clear that this was the love of a lifetime. Perhaps I'm jaded, but I really think a lifetime of love is more irritating-- after all, no two people can be absolutely perfect for each other. In fact, that irritation and friction, and learning how to live with each other is what impresses me so much about long term relationships. I'm amazed that my parents are still together 29 years later because I know they've annoyed the hell out of each other-- and yet they were willing to work through that frustration because they believed their relationship (and our family) was worth it. The writing style in the beginning of the novel reminded me of my own writing during high school-- that rush of first love, that hope that you've found that one person to complete you and make your life worthwhile.For me, the most interesting, compelling part of The Notebook was the last segment. (If you haven't read the book, be aware that rest of this review will contain spoilers.) When the main character's love for his wife of forty-nine years triumphs even through Alzheimer's relentless blanket of memories, I was inspired. More than their love for each other, and the miracle that was their relationship, I was touched by Noah's willingness to live life in the present moment. At the end of their life together, Noah's goal each day is to fall in love with his wife again, even though she doesn't remember him. Even if he never sees that flash of recognition in her eyes, he is satisfied, as shown by this passage:There is beauty where we sit this afternoon, Allie and I. This is the pinnacle of my life. They are here at the creek: the birds, the geese, my friends. Their bodies float on the cool water, which reflects bits and pieces of their colors and make them seem larger than they really are. Allie too is taken in by their wonder, and little by little we get to know each other again.My goal is to say and truly believe that line in the middle every day: "This is the pinnacle of my life." That is the best lesson of the novel: to find happiness in simply being alive and appreciating the beauty and love around us.(What? I read a cheesy book! You'd BETTER expect a cheesy review!)
What do You think about The Notebook (2004)?
I read this book because my sister loved it. It made me sad. Not because it was a sad story, but because it was so poorly written. This Sparks character had a fantastic idea for a story, a truly painful and passionate story of love and devotion. But the book? It was like my 14 year old nephew watched this brilliant movie, then tried to write about it on his myspace blog. It was butchered by an appalling lack adjectives and an appalling lack of emotion. Sad. The fact that so many people are willing to overlook Sparks' lack of creativity and inability to, well, write, is also sad. Sad, I say. Sorry Tracy.
—Carolyn
i expected this to be horrible, but it was actually pretty good; a much stranger book than i expected. i thought the first part was great; if the book had ended at the point where the lovers meet again, it would've been a really powerful short story. instead, it kept going, and then i lost interest, the characters weren't interesting enough for me to want to watch them actually interact with each other, they just seemed like boring people being boring together. then the whole book takes a really weird turn and skips like 50 years and starts poking you really hard with the crying stick. which, okay, was pretty effective, but felt more than a little contrived.still, though, sparks is not a bad writer. and it's hard for me to dislike anyone who properly appreciates walt whitman.
—Ben Loory
I truly loved this book. The story and how it is told just sucks you in from the minute you start reading. I am amazed over and over again just how much I love this book.I no longer own this book. I lent it to a "friend" and never got it back. And I am having a hard time trying to find a replacement copy. ARGH.This is the story of Noah and Allie. They meet as teens, but are torn apart by circumstances. As the book progresses so do their lives until the moment that Allie realizes she needs to find Noah to put things to rest before she marries a man she likes, but doesn't really love. What happens next is the crux of the novel and proves that love CAN conquer time and space and all the obstacles that others put in its way.GREAT read. I recommend it to anyone!
—Dawn Michelle
