In TRUE BELIEVER, journalist Jeremy Marsh spends his time debunking the supernatural. He has just finished exposing a fake television psychic, proving that the man was not able to read people's minds or see into their pasts. When he hears about a phenomenon happening in the small town of Boone Creek in North Carolina, where ghosts are seen inhabiting a local cemetery, Jeremy knows he will be able to find the truth behind the lights that are seen glimmering on certain nights above the cemetery grounds. He knows that ghosts do not truly exist.When Jeremy arrives in Boone Creek, he experiences what small town life is all about. He's from the big city and feels like he's walked into a time warp. Everyone knows everyone, and gossip spreads like wildfire. The very day he arrives in town, Jeremy makes a quick visit to Cedar Creek Cemetery, where the ghosts are reported to have been seen, when he notices a young woman there who catches his eye. He later finds out that her name is Lexie Darnell. Neither of them knows it but soon their lives will be changed forever. Lexie is the granddaughter of the woman who had invited him to visit the town. Doris Marsh is the town psychic.As Jeremy slowly does his research in the library where Lexie happens to work, he gets to know her. Despite what he feels about the town, he finds himself interested in this woman who doesn't seem to want anything to do with him.While Sparks tends to write tragedies as opposed to true romances, this novel is far from the tragedy that some of his other fiction books have been.This is not to say that TRUE BELIEVER wasn't enjoyable. But fans who are looking for the typical Nicholas Sparks book will not find it here. Instead of concentrating on the romance, this reviewer found the focus of the novel to be on the mystery behind the cemetery, and the high point of the plot was Jeremy's answer to the story behind the ghosts. The fact that Jeremy is dating a woman who believes her parents' ghosts have come to her in the cemetery makes the reader anxious to know what he finds, realizing that the answer will greatly impact the relationship that is central to the love story.One aspect of storytelling in which Sparks excels is his ability to create the characters who populate his books. His capacity to bring into being likable, everyday people helps make this novel readable. The strength of the story isn't necessarily the plot, and the romance that is found here is not one that a typical romance reader might expect. For this reader, the characters were the highlight of the novel, and the process of getting to know some of the more prominent ones was a delight. One will find oneself chuckling over some of the antics of the townspeople. The brouhaha that the people make over Jeremy's celebrity is very cute, if not humorous.Overall, the plot lines are balanced between the mystery of the cemetery, Jeremy and Lexie's relationship, the aspect of small-town living, and the individual life stories of the two protagonists. Focusing on the individual characters is just one way of truly enjoying this book. It's a soothing type of read, and readers will feel comfortable with these characters.On that note, TRUE BELIEVER comes recommended.
In True Believer, by Nicholas Sparks, Jeremy Marsh wants to prove that there are no such things as miracles, but a small town Southern sweetheart, Lexie Darnell, gives him reason to believe otherwise, so he takes a chance, and lets himself see what miracles the world has to offer. True Believer takes place in the present day, in Boone Creek, North Carolina. Boone Creek is a town as quiet as a whisper, where few exciting things occur. The population of Boone Creek is miniscule, and most of the people there have known each other for their entire lives. However, this town does have one thing going for it; ghosts. “Blue lights seem to dance on the headstones whenever the fog rolls in” (24). Legend says that the blue lights are ghosts, and Jeremy Marsh, an extreme Non-Believer, comes into town to show everyone that the lights are simply a scientific reaction to light, not ghosts. Jeremy has no doubt in his mind that the lights are about as supernatural as a spoon, and he intends to prove so. He believes that “science holds the real answers” (49), and it’s not until he meets Lexie Darnell that his beliefs begin to waver. Nicholas Sparks is a talented writer. The way he writes makes writing appear as an effortless task. Sparks makes us feel as if we are in the story itself. He describes the town in detail, and the way the characters react to one another allows us to feel as if we know them. For example, when Lexie sees Jeremy and “recognizes the confident city swagger almost immediately” (59), I think it allows us to infer something about Lexie and Jeremy; Lexie has had a bad experience with someone from the city, and Jeremy has a lot of assurance in himself. The author uses these context clues to help us predict what is to come later in the book. If you are looking for an exciting or challenging book, I would not recommend True Believer; it can be slow at times, and although the writing is good, it’s a very easy read.
What do You think about True Believer (2006)?
I first read this years ago and chose to re-read it because I am going to read the second book 'At First Sight'. I'm not giving it a five because I feel some parts of the book dragged on a bit especially the beginning. I wasn't drawn in as much as I usually am from his books. I didn't feel a strong connection with the characters and parts of it was slow.But I still thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the second book. I enjoyed seeing Jeremy and Lexie fall in love and finally having a happy ending after long distance complications. I'm excited to see how they are coping in the second book.The ending gave me chills, just the perfect ending. Overall a romantic, mysterious and easy to read book. I would recommend this book if your a fan of Sparks' other books or you like romance books.
—Debbie Cordes
Picked this up at a consignment shop. I was familiar with some of Sparks' other books which have been adapted into films, but had never read anything by him.This was okay. Sparks has a talent for creating interesting and substantial characters (at least when they're not being annoyingly silly), and the writing is fine.The story here isn't bad, either...or at least not all bad. Unfortunately, certain elements border on sappy-you-got-to-be-kidding-me. ***News Flash*** Intelligent women don't find guys who profess their love after 2 days and a roll in the hay as romantic or attractive. To the contrary, we think it's a little creepy. It doesn't make our hearts pitter-patter or our cheeks flush red. If only he had stretched the relationship out, I think it might have been more believable and more satisfying. Overall, an easy read with some redeeming qualities but that also panders to cliches and stereotypes. That said, I purchased the second book in the series at the same consignment shop, and I'll read it at some point. I'd also read something else by this author when I'm in the mood for sappy and predictable.
—Shaun
A nicely crafted, romantic story about doing the right thing and learning to love when all hope is lost. And I really related to Jeremy. He and I had a lot in common, as it turned out. The story was simple enough, about an investigative journalist who heads to a small town to investigate some strange happenings at the cemetery. Lights are appearing in strange ways at odd hours of the night. As a skeptic, he is making it his job to expose the truth behind the phenomena. But he is a skeptic with a heart of gold. Rather than go about things the easy way or the cynical way, he considers it his duty to care. This is one reason I liked him and bought into the book.As to the phenomena itself he is investigating, it reminded me of my own small town. There was a place where similar lights would appear and me and my friends would refer to it as the Bermuda Triangle of our small town. It was spooky, absolutely, but we also all knew it wasn't really caused by ghosts. It doesn't matter, really, because its still fun to fantasize. There is no harm in a little whimsy once in a while.Back to the book, there could have been a little more fleshing out of some of the characters, particularly Lexi. Also others such as Tully the talkative gas station attendant or Jed the big concierge. Not many characters get more than an introductory sequence. But thats a fairly minor bugaboo, I suppose.My wife warned me when she heard I was reading a Sparks book that it would be a tear-jerker. Actually...not so. Quite the pleasant experience overall.Thanks for reading.
—Scott Taylor
