“This, I remember thinking, is what life is
really about. Love and laughter and friendship; happy times spent with those
you care about.”
When reading the novel of Nicholas Sparks, I always need to
prepare myself emotionally for cataclysm of emotions that usually come with his
works. The thought that he makes me fall so much in love with a character that
he’s just plotting to kill is disturbing not to mention heart-breaking. But,
more often that not, that is the case.
Surprisingly, this novel is less formulaic and predictable
which is a bit dissimilar from his style- an emotional powerful story not of
falling in love but falling apart. Every story usually starts with two people
falling in love and the ending is a happily ever after. Clearly, Sparks decided
to experiment.
The characters are not subtle, enigmatic or complex. But,
Sparks still managed to make them interesting. The protagonist, Russel
Green lives in his comfort zone with his beautiful wife and a daughter.
Seemingly, he enjoys a successful career, and an almost lavish life- style. As
a character, there is this gnawing feeling of his inability to explicate himself
and yet that’s what made him excelled in his career. His wife, Vivian, would
give you a glimpse of every person who makes each relationship fails. Among all
the characters, it is with Emily that I hardly feel connected.
When you are blissfully living in your safe haven then
suddenly lost everything, the pain is incomprehensible. This part of the story
and some vignettes probably moved me the most. Some situations seem palpably
unfair and yet could happen in real life.
The whole reading time was heavy. Just when you thought
Russel lost everything, then he lost more; it would leave you aching for the
character.
I highly
recommend this for the Sparks fanatics but expect to feel dispirited the whole
time you’re reading. There are many faces of love and one of them is sadness.
Life is indeed about Love & Laughter and sharing that love. Thanks for your article.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment!
DeleteI like your way of writing. But I did not like the book because it made me want to live again.
ReplyDelete