The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

A man with a faded, well-worn notebook open in his lap. A woman experiencing a morning ritual she doesn't understand. Until he begins to read to her. An achingly tender story about the enduring power of love.

A man with a faded, well-worn notebook open in his lap. A woman experiencing a morning ritual she doesn't understand. Until he begins to read to her. The Notebook is an achingly tender story about the enduring power of love, a story of miracles that will stay with you forever.

Set amid the austere beauty of coastal North Carolina in 1946, The Notebook begins with the story of Noah Calhoun, a rural Southerner returned home from World War II. Noah, thirty-one, is restoring a plantation home to its former glory, and he is haunted by images of the beautiful girl he met fourteen years earlier, a girl he loved like no other. Unable to find her, yet unwilling to forget the summer they spent together, Noah is content to live with only memories...until she unexpectedly returns to his town to see him once again.

Allie Nelson, twenty-nine, is now engaged to another man, but realizes that the original passion she felt for Noah has not dimmed with the passage of time. Still, the obstacles that once ended their previous relationship remain, and the gulf between their worlds is too vast to ignore. With her impending marriage only weeks away, Allie is forced to confront her hopes and dreams for the future, a future that only she can shape.

Like a puzzle within a puzzle, the story of Noah and Allie is just the beginning. As it unfolds, their tale miraculously becomes something different, with much higher stakes. The result is a deeply moving portrait of love itself, the tender moments and the fundamental changes that affect us all. Shining with a beauty that is rarely found in current literature, The Notebook establishes Nicholas Sparks as a classic storyteller with a unique insight into the only emotion that really matters.

"I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough."

And so begins one of the most poignant and compelling love stories you will ever read...The Notebook

Have you ever wondered what would it be like if a robot had written a love story? Or how sometimes when you are sick and you eat something, you can't feel it's taste? That is how I felt this book was.

Okay, maybe it wasn't that bad but if it weren't for the fact that I read ‘A Walk to Remember' before I read this book, I would have probably given it two stars. I had very high expectations for AWTR, but the book was so...bland. So, my expectations for ‘The Notebook' were significantly much much lower. Strictly speaking, my rating is a bit misleading considering it is not in the same league as the other books that I have given a three star, but I couldn't help but compare it to AWTR.

The thing with Nicholas Sparks is he choses a great plot but the story, the writing, the characters, the dialogues and the ending bring the plot down. This book in particular was like a rom-com — you know the story, you know what the characters are going to say, you know how it is going to end but the movies at least have something going on for them. They make you feel warm inside and you feel something in your heart, but this book didn't have a lot of mushy dialogue or hot action either. I know it is supposed to be a slow romance but where is the romance? This book was like a summary of facts or something. But, I must say the book had some potential, in fact all of his books do but they don't have much to offer other than initial spark (Lame pun intended). When I read the summary of his books, I imagine something mind blowing but it always ends up falling flat on its face. Sigh.

While I would not gush about the book to people I meet in the grocery store, I will also not stop others from reading it because it was a good story. I really hope the movie is better.

P.S Did anyone else find it weird that she hasn't done it with another guy for fourteen years? Also, they seemed very comfortable speaking to each other considering they haven't spoken for such a long time. If you ask me, there would have been a weird thing where they don't know how to greet each other since shaking hands would be too formal and kissing on the cheek a bit too much so they would probably end up giving each other an awkward stiff hug. I'm rambling so I guess I'll shut up.

I really liked this novel. The way Nicholas Sparks portrayed the love between Allie and Noah was amazing. I really liked the general story of it all. Of course I love the movie but by reading the novel (as is the case with most novels) you get a better insight into the characters than you do from watching a movie. One thing I did find however was that the book finished quite suddenly. I was expecting more but all in all it was nicely written and had a really good storyline.

“The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks is a popular romantic novel that has touched the hearts of millions. Here's a brief review:

Positives:

1. Emotional Depth: The story is deeply emotional and often tugs at the heartstrings of readers. It explores themes of love, loss, and aging with sensitivity.
2. Characterization: The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonists, Allie and Noah, whose love story forms the crux of the novel.
3. Narrative Style: Sparks' writing style is simple yet effective, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and their emotions.

Negatives:

1. Predictability: Some readers might find the plot predictable, especially if they are familiar with Sparks' other works or the romance genre in general.
2. Lack of Complexity: The story is straightforward and lacks the complexity that some readers might prefer in their reading material.

As for beginners, “The Notebook” can be a good choice as it's written in simple language and has a straightforward plot. It's an excellent introduction to the romance genre and Sparks' writing style. However, it's worth noting that the emotional intensity of the book might be overwhelming for some.