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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
First off I'm a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, so I'm a little biased. I really enjoyed this book, classic Nicholas Sparks. I did however, figure out the ending halfway through so that sucked. Overall, it was a great "brain candy" read.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I adore the movie adaptation, but I liked the book too.
Have you ever just started reading a book, and within the first chapter clearly recognizing a favorite in progress? That words on those pages are shaping a book that you will revisit time and time again, at different ages and times of your life, if only to see what else you can take away from the story you read so long ago?
I think that's what this book is to me.
No, I know it.
In the moments after finishing this book (after the necessary pause to grasp all the information given to me, of course) I debated what I might mention upon writing my review. I suppose I could tell fellow readers about Luke the bull rider or about Sophie the Sorority girl that isn't all your typical sorority girl or I can talk about Ira and all the inspirational aspects of his person. I suppose I could mention moments where I thought "Hmm, this could have been elaborated" or moments where I've paused, thinking "I thought this was going to go this and this way" or the moments that drew from me a single gasp of pleasant surprise or the solitary tears that would escape me without permission. But really, I feel that none of those points would have truly delivered my thoughts on this book, nor would it be justice to what I've read. Rereading my so-far review I already feel like I'm taking away and lessening the value of what I have read, of the strength of the story provided to us.
I feel that no arrangement of words could adequately describe what this book was for me and the feelings that it triggered. Because this book is so much more than words can describe. This book is not about a bull rider struggling to make ends meet, this book is not about an aspiring art major, or about an old man who is that end of his line and the accident that ties their lives together.
I won't argue or debate the points brought up by those that rated this poorly. To each his own, after all. Books affect us all differently. And we often pick a book up with certain expectations, awaiting a certain end or thrill out of the read. I cannot see any other explanation for some reviews other than they simply could not grasp the immensity of this book. It is not fast paced; in fact, it is more mellow in comparison to other works, I think. Yet, this is the one that has truly struck a nerve with me. I cannot justify the occurrence of boredom from these lines.
Just as I cannot put into words the greatness of this story.
I hope you understand.
I think that's what this book is to me.
No, I know it.
In the moments after finishing this book (after the necessary pause to grasp all the information given to me, of course) I debated what I might mention upon writing my review. I suppose I could tell fellow readers about Luke the bull rider or about Sophie the Sorority girl that isn't all your typical sorority girl or I can talk about Ira and all the inspirational aspects of his person. I suppose I could mention moments where I thought "Hmm, this could have been elaborated" or moments where I've paused, thinking "I thought this was going to go this and this way" or the moments that drew from me a single gasp of pleasant surprise or the solitary tears that would escape me without permission. But really, I feel that none of those points would have truly delivered my thoughts on this book, nor would it be justice to what I've read. Rereading my so-far review I already feel like I'm taking away and lessening the value of what I have read, of the strength of the story provided to us.
I feel that no arrangement of words could adequately describe what this book was for me and the feelings that it triggered. Because this book is so much more than words can describe. This book is not about a bull rider struggling to make ends meet, this book is not about an aspiring art major, or about an old man who is that end of his line and the accident that ties their lives together.
I won't argue or debate the points brought up by those that rated this poorly. To each his own, after all. Books affect us all differently. And we often pick a book up with certain expectations, awaiting a certain end or thrill out of the read. I cannot see any other explanation for some reviews other than they simply could not grasp the immensity of this book. It is not fast paced; in fact, it is more mellow in comparison to other works, I think. Yet, this is the one that has truly struck a nerve with me. I cannot justify the occurrence of boredom from these lines.
Just as I cannot put into words the greatness of this story.
I hope you understand.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Many tears were cried. My only complaint is that I wished the stories of Ira and Sophia/Luke were more interconnected like they were in the movie.
I loved this book! Another excellent novel by Nicholas Sparks, he never fails to disappoint. The alternating chapters make it a real page turner as you're always wanting to go back to read another characters chapter again. The story line - without giving any spoilers - is amazing and keeps you interested throughout the book. I love all 4 of the main characters, and adored the ending - perfection! Looking forward to seeing the film adaptation, but having seen the trailer I can't see it being better than the book as I can already see some differences from an already perfect story line!
This was an incredible book! It intrigued me from beginning to end.
I had seen the movie not realizing it was a Nicholas Sparks book until I started working my way though his writing. This is very much like the movie and is an enjoyable story. Fairly realistic with the relationships and some of the struggles the characters face. As for the acquiring of the art collection many times in life it is about being in the right place at the right time.
This wasn't my favorite Nicholas Sparks book but some of the quotes in this book and the ending are what made it go up from a 3 to a 4 star book.
I was more interested in the love story between Ira and Ruth than the current story between Sophia and Luke. I wish that there were more Ira chapters. The parts that were interesting for Luke's portion of the story were when it was revealed that if he kept bull riding he would be dead in less than a year. He had an accident in the past where after falling off a bull, the bull charged him and attacked him. His skull was fractured and he was pronounced dead at the hospital but by some sort of miracle he was able to be revived. Luke now has a plate in his skull but with one more serious injury to the head he would be killed. Sophia's chapters didn't really interest me as much, she just kind of went on her sorority life as a college student. I wish that Ira and Ruth's lives were more entwined with Sophia and Luke's. Sophia and Luke are the ones who found Ira 36 hours after he crashed his car over a guardrail in the snow. They brought him to the hospital and he died the next day.
Ira and Ruth were so in love and it honestly broke my heart how lonely and sad Ira was without his companion.
There are several quotes I loved in this book:
"It's strange, I think, the way our lives turn out. Moments of circumstance, when later combined with conscious decisions and actions and a boatload of hope, can eventually forge a future that seems predestined."
"If we'd never met, I think I would have known that my life wasn't complete. And I would have wandered the world in search of you, even if I didn't know who I was looking for."
I loved the ending of the book so much. Ira and Ruth had an extensive and impressive collection of artwork with the works of artists such as: Picasso, Warhol, Pollock, and many more. However, Ira's most beloved piece of artwork was a drawing of Ruth that was drawn by one of the students she taught many years ago. After Ira's death, during the art auction, the first painting to be auctioned is the Portrait of Ruth and none of the prestigious bidders are bidding. Luke knows how important this painting was to Ira and he bids on the painting for $400. Ira's attorney announces that Ira wanted the person who purchased Portrait of Ruth to inherit the entire art collection (this was said in his will). Before you know it, Luke is the owner of this collection and he uses some of the money to save his ranch.
Spoiler
I was more interested in the love story between Ira and Ruth than the current story between Sophia and Luke. I wish that there were more Ira chapters. The parts that were interesting for Luke's portion of the story were when it was revealed that if he kept bull riding he would be dead in less than a year. He had an accident in the past where after falling off a bull, the bull charged him and attacked him. His skull was fractured and he was pronounced dead at the hospital but by some sort of miracle he was able to be revived. Luke now has a plate in his skull but with one more serious injury to the head he would be killed. Sophia's chapters didn't really interest me as much, she just kind of went on her sorority life as a college student. I wish that Ira and Ruth's lives were more entwined with Sophia and Luke's. Sophia and Luke are the ones who found Ira 36 hours after he crashed his car over a guardrail in the snow. They brought him to the hospital and he died the next day.
Ira and Ruth were so in love and it honestly broke my heart how lonely and sad Ira was without his companion.
There are several quotes I loved in this book:
"It's strange, I think, the way our lives turn out. Moments of circumstance, when later combined with conscious decisions and actions and a boatload of hope, can eventually forge a future that seems predestined."
"If we'd never met, I think I would have known that my life wasn't complete. And I would have wandered the world in search of you, even if I didn't know who I was looking for."
I loved the ending of the book so much. Ira and Ruth had an extensive and impressive collection of artwork with the works of artists such as: Picasso, Warhol, Pollock, and many more. However, Ira's most beloved piece of artwork was a drawing of Ruth that was drawn by one of the students she taught many years ago. After Ira's death, during the art auction, the first painting to be auctioned is the Portrait of Ruth and none of the prestigious bidders are bidding. Luke knows how important this painting was to Ira and he bids on the painting for $400. Ira's attorney announces that Ira wanted the person who purchased Portrait of Ruth to inherit the entire art collection (this was said in his will). Before you know it, Luke is the owner of this collection and he uses some of the money to save his ranch.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes