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The Best of Me
In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.
Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined.
As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?
Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined.
As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?
292 pages, Hardcover
First published September 14, 2010
About the author
Nicholas Sparks
272 books232k followersNicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 130 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 92 million copies in the United States alone.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 12,056 reviews
November 9, 2011
This was probably the most disappointing Nicholas Sparks book I have ever read. The book's premise starts off promising enough; high school sweethearts meet again at the funeral of a mutual friend some 25 years later and rekindle their romance... a romance it turns out that had never really ebbed. Dawson Cole, one of the main characters, comes from a family of violent lawbreakers and thugs, while Amanda Collier, the other main character, comes from a wealthy, upstanding family. You get the picture: star-crossed lovers whose personal circumstances ultimately short-circuit their relationship. Great stuff, huh, and vintage Sparks! Then the story and plot begin to unravel for me.
First of all, there is the "ghost" that keeps showing up at critical times in Dawson's life. This metaphysical "spirit" gave the story a cheesy quality and I found it hard to take it seriously. I mean after all, this is not a "Twilight" novel! Then there were the letters that Tuck (the deceased friend whose funeral caused Dawson and Amanda to be brought back together again) wrote to Dawson and Amanda. The purpose of the letters is made moot because of the book's contrived ending. Why include these letters in the story if they had absolutely no bearing in the book's finale? It doesn't make any sense!
Finally, Spark's, once again, has the chance to have one of his novels end well, yet decides, also once again, to end it tragically. Yes, I know that life isn't an endless series of "happily ever after" moments...but neither is it an endless series of tragedies either. You'd think Sparks would have learned to mix it up a bit with the endings to his novels, because he is becoming predictable and to me, that means boring. The ending to "The Best of Me" was so contrived and predictable, that I already knew what was going to happen when the "ghost" led Dawson to the honky tonk bar!
It is with great sadness that I give "The Best of Me" two stars.
First of all, there is the "ghost" that keeps showing up at critical times in Dawson's life. This metaphysical "spirit" gave the story a cheesy quality and I found it hard to take it seriously. I mean after all, this is not a "Twilight" novel! Then there were the letters that Tuck (the deceased friend whose funeral caused Dawson and Amanda to be brought back together again) wrote to Dawson and Amanda. The purpose of the letters is made moot because of the book's contrived ending. Why include these letters in the story if they had absolutely no bearing in the book's finale? It doesn't make any sense!
Finally, Spark's, once again, has the chance to have one of his novels end well, yet decides, also once again, to end it tragically. Yes, I know that life isn't an endless series of "happily ever after" moments...but neither is it an endless series of tragedies either. You'd think Sparks would have learned to mix it up a bit with the endings to his novels, because he is becoming predictable and to me, that means boring. The ending to "The Best of Me" was so contrived and predictable, that I already knew what was going to happen when the "ghost" led Dawson to the honky tonk bar!
It is with great sadness that I give "The Best of Me" two stars.
February 3, 2013
PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT THE STORY SPOILED!
I was sooo beyond disappointed with this book! It had me all the way up to chapter 21, I kept thinking "how is he going to get them together" well he didn't ! That's how! I got excited when it seemed that Amanda was going to meet him at the cemetery only for her to turn right and go home! Which I guess was ok since she was almost home when she received word of the accident, but she stayed with Frank even after! No no no! I feel that Amanda was weak and a coward! Dawson stayed alone all those years thinking of no one but her, and she admitted that even on her wedding day she was unsure she should marry Frank, but she did it anyway! Why didn't she ever go and look for Dawson? Why didn't she just stay alone and be a teacher? Even at 42 she couldn't stand up to her mother which was very disappointing! It's not like they had to stay in Oriental, they could have lived anywhere! And then those letters from Tuck! UGH!!! It was clear that Dawson would have continued to wait for her to make her decision, while she would have clearly kept him waiting! She kept asking "what should I do?" And in her letter Tuck lets her have it and she still does the opposite...at least in The Notebook , Ally went back to Noah and they grew old together! I heard this book will be a movie in 2014 but honestly I will not be watching....horrible, horrible book! Dawson gave "the best" of himself that's for sure, which Amanda selfishly took until he could give no more! Ok...my rant is over!
I was sooo beyond disappointed with this book! It had me all the way up to chapter 21, I kept thinking "how is he going to get them together" well he didn't ! That's how! I got excited when it seemed that Amanda was going to meet him at the cemetery only for her to turn right and go home! Which I guess was ok since she was almost home when she received word of the accident, but she stayed with Frank even after! No no no! I feel that Amanda was weak and a coward! Dawson stayed alone all those years thinking of no one but her, and she admitted that even on her wedding day she was unsure she should marry Frank, but she did it anyway! Why didn't she ever go and look for Dawson? Why didn't she just stay alone and be a teacher? Even at 42 she couldn't stand up to her mother which was very disappointing! It's not like they had to stay in Oriental, they could have lived anywhere! And then those letters from Tuck! UGH!!! It was clear that Dawson would have continued to wait for her to make her decision, while she would have clearly kept him waiting! She kept asking "what should I do?" And in her letter Tuck lets her have it and she still does the opposite...at least in The Notebook , Ally went back to Noah and they grew old together! I heard this book will be a movie in 2014 but honestly I will not be watching....horrible, horrible book! Dawson gave "the best" of himself that's for sure, which Amanda selfishly took until he could give no more! Ok...my rant is over!
December 4, 2013
EDIT: Is that better for you people? *rolls eyes*
"The Best of Me" is a novel about two high-school sweethearts, Amanda and Dawson, who went their separate ways after high school and are reunited for one weekend when they learn of the sudden passing of their mentor, Tuck. I was intrigued by this book from the beginning because I felt like that's kind of every woman's fantasy - to have a weekend to rekindle lost memories with your love from when you were young... anyways, as I was reading along I thought the book was good, but just good.
At the beginning Nicholas Sparks wrote this little 'acknowledgment' where he thanked what seemed like every person he encounters every day and he incorporated the names of all of the past novels he has written. I think that was my favorite part of the book. And it wasn't even a part of the book. (haha.)
As it got towards the end, I knew that someone was about to be killed off and I got really angry and almost didn't even want to finish the book. Like seriously, Sparks?! Really??? How hard is it to write a book where none of the main characters die?! I don't know why I expected anything different from him, and I'm beginning to think he is a soulless novelist who just sits at his little desk in North Carolina pining over which character he's going to kill off next.
That's all I have to say about that.
"The Best of Me" is a novel about two high-school sweethearts, Amanda and Dawson, who went their separate ways after high school and are reunited for one weekend when they learn of the sudden passing of their mentor, Tuck. I was intrigued by this book from the beginning because I felt like that's kind of every woman's fantasy - to have a weekend to rekindle lost memories with your love from when you were young... anyways, as I was reading along I thought the book was good, but just good.
At the beginning Nicholas Sparks wrote this little 'acknowledgment' where he thanked what seemed like every person he encounters every day and he incorporated the names of all of the past novels he has written. I think that was my favorite part of the book. And it wasn't even a part of the book. (haha.)
As it got towards the end, I knew that someone was about to be killed off and I got really angry and almost didn't even want to finish the book. Like seriously, Sparks?! Really??? How hard is it to write a book where none of the main characters die?! I don't know why I expected anything different from him, and I'm beginning to think he is a soulless novelist who just sits at his little desk in North Carolina pining over which character he's going to kill off next.
That's all I have to say about that.
Read
August 10, 2018Amanda and Dawson fell in love in high school even though they were quite different. Amanda was the popular type from a rich family, while Dawson struggled with problems at home. Amanda’s parent’s aren’t accepting of her relationship with Dawson which causes multiple problems. They spend some quality time together and then they must part. Time moves forward and Dawson has been away for quite some time. Out of the blue, he receives a phone call from a lawyer letting him know that someone from back home has passed away. He doesn’t really want to go back and plans ahead of time to make the trip as short as possible.
Quick trip, in and out. He’d do what he had to do and didn’t plan on hanging around any longer than he had to. He might have been raised in Oriental, but he’d never really belonged there. The Oriental he knew was nothing like the cheery image advertised by the area Visitors’ Bureau.
Once back in Oriental, the memories flood in and he unexpectedly meets with Amanda for the first time in nearly 20 years.
To me, this book is similar to The Notebook as it follows some of the same themes. I adore it nearly as much. This is a coming of age story I simply couldn’t put down with strong characters and beautiful writing. I loved the characters, especially Tuck–I think he was my favorite. If you’re a person who enjoys reading love stories with plenty of drama and emotion, this book’s for you. I normally don’t go for mass market paperbacks–in fact I never do–but this edition you see above has photos from the movie which I enjoyed. Nicholas Sparks will always be a favorite author and this is a favorite for sure.
5*****
Quick trip, in and out. He’d do what he had to do and didn’t plan on hanging around any longer than he had to. He might have been raised in Oriental, but he’d never really belonged there. The Oriental he knew was nothing like the cheery image advertised by the area Visitors’ Bureau.
Once back in Oriental, the memories flood in and he unexpectedly meets with Amanda for the first time in nearly 20 years.
To me, this book is similar to The Notebook as it follows some of the same themes. I adore it nearly as much. This is a coming of age story I simply couldn’t put down with strong characters and beautiful writing. I loved the characters, especially Tuck–I think he was my favorite. If you’re a person who enjoys reading love stories with plenty of drama and emotion, this book’s for you. I normally don’t go for mass market paperbacks–in fact I never do–but this edition you see above has photos from the movie which I enjoyed. Nicholas Sparks will always be a favorite author and this is a favorite for sure.
5*****
January 22, 2012
2.5 stars. I always feel cheated when I get to the end of a Nicholas Sparks book (I don't know why I keep reading them). He has such a magical way with romance but then he rips the happily ever after away. I love the descriptions and landscapes in this book. Sparks creates the perfect backdrops for love and creates the perfect moments that most mere mortals can only dream about. Then the characters (and the reader) have to pay the price for stealing such perfection by haveing it become nothing but a memory.
This is how the book should have ended (and how I will have it end in my mind). I think it is slightly more realistic than the actual ending.
Amanda and Dawson go back to their lives and their responsibilities after their life changing weekend. Amanda has re-discovered the long buried, adventurous, head strong, parts of herself that she really likes. She sticks it out with Frank until her youngest child graduates from High School. Then like a lot of couples, they throw in the towel.
Dawson lets go of the guilt from his past and finds peace, having received forgiveness and taken care of his horrible cousins (without getting shot of course). He buys Tucks cute little cottage. He gets a safer job and a nicer trailer. Shortly after her divorce, Amanda finds her way to him, showing up out of the blue one day and they live happily ever after.
This is how the book should have ended (and how I will have it end in my mind). I think it is slightly more realistic than the actual ending.
Amanda and Dawson go back to their lives and their responsibilities after their life changing weekend. Amanda has re-discovered the long buried, adventurous, head strong, parts of herself that she really likes. She sticks it out with Frank until her youngest child graduates from High School. Then like a lot of couples, they throw in the towel.
Dawson lets go of the guilt from his past and finds peace, having received forgiveness and taken care of his horrible cousins (without getting shot of course). He buys Tucks cute little cottage. He gets a safer job and a nicer trailer. Shortly after her divorce, Amanda finds her way to him, showing up out of the blue one day and they live happily ever after.
December 31, 2014
After meeting the author Nicholas Sparks last October 28th here in Manila and get him to sign my book, i started reading his latest novel which is obviously entitled "The Best Of Me". I tried so hard to refrain myself in reading this though it was really hard for me because i'm really curious about it. So here it goes, the book is definitely good! As the same as his other novels it is filled with flashbacks and old memories that in due time came back to the protagonists of the story. It was one of the most touching story I've ever read and it is also one of those who makes me cry the whole time. I finished reading it the other night at around 11pm and guess what?? my eyes are scorching red from tears after reading it. It makes me feel sad as well as happy because even in a small span of time while reading it i was able to fit myself in Amanda and Dawson's shoes. I felt how they felt during the hard times and feel the happiness and love they feel whenever they are together. I guess this story just moves me a little for i'm a big sucker for romantic things and love. Silly me for crying at this but my tears just started pouring especially when Amanda (protagonist) says this line:
"Please don't ask me to go with you, because if you do, I'll go. Please don't ask me to tell Frank about us, because i'll do that, too. Please don't ask me to give up my responsibilities or break up my family; I love you, and if you love me, too, then you just can't ask me to do these things. Because I don't trust myself enough to say no."
In all, Nicholas Sparks still never really fail to show the main aspects of his novels. There's still the flashbacks, the memories, the tragedy and the everlasting love. This story would surely move you and touch those little heart strings of yours. YEY! :)
* WATCH OUT FOR CHAPTER 15. :))
"Please don't ask me to go with you, because if you do, I'll go. Please don't ask me to tell Frank about us, because i'll do that, too. Please don't ask me to give up my responsibilities or break up my family; I love you, and if you love me, too, then you just can't ask me to do these things. Because I don't trust myself enough to say no."
In all, Nicholas Sparks still never really fail to show the main aspects of his novels. There's still the flashbacks, the memories, the tragedy and the everlasting love. This story would surely move you and touch those little heart strings of yours. YEY! :)
* WATCH OUT FOR CHAPTER 15. :))
March 10, 2023
My old review for this is gone! How disappointing Goodreads.🤬
This was one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks novels. A mix of forbidden love/coming-of-age romance. Amanda and Dawson meet again as adults in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina where they both grew up after a mutual friend's death. Although it's been decades, you know they still have strong feelings for one another. This is a heartwrenching love story.
I initially gave this four stars but after 7 years I still remember this one and it stuck with me. The ending still upsets me if you can believe it. So if you're going to read this, be prepared with a box of tissues. 4.5⭐
This was one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks novels. A mix of forbidden love/coming-of-age romance. Amanda and Dawson meet again as adults in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina where they both grew up after a mutual friend's death. Although it's been decades, you know they still have strong feelings for one another. This is a heartwrenching love story.
I initially gave this four stars but after 7 years I still remember this one and it stuck with me. The ending still upsets me if you can believe it. So if you're going to read this, be prepared with a box of tissues. 4.5⭐
June 6, 2016
"I gave you the best of me, and after you left, nothing was ever the same."
*sobs*
This book isn't fair! Right now my emotions are all over the place I don't even know if I could write a decent review.
But heck, Nicholas Sparks did it again!
Everything in this book is remarkable. Told in multiple POVs, I found this book totally engaging and emotionally-driven. I fell in love right from the beginning up to the end. With Nicholas Sparks' beautiful lines and plot, I could never stop admiring how great a storyteller he is.
I like the idea of childhood sweethearts reuniting again after so many years. This book, however, is different, because the reunion may or may not give them a chance to be together for a lifetime. That's the reason why I love this book. It doesn't guarantee a happy ending and yet it totally surprises you with its beautiful, heart-felt message.
I found the plot twist predictable, however. But all in all, there's no denying that it's one of the utterly brilliant tales ever told by this magnificent author.
I know it was published years ago, but if you want a Nicholas Sparks feels one of these days, you might want to consider this book. :) And oh, it has a movie adaptation which I will definitely watch!
Rating: 4 Stars
*sobs*
This book isn't fair! Right now my emotions are all over the place I don't even know if I could write a decent review.
But heck, Nicholas Sparks did it again!
Everything in this book is remarkable. Told in multiple POVs, I found this book totally engaging and emotionally-driven. I fell in love right from the beginning up to the end. With Nicholas Sparks' beautiful lines and plot, I could never stop admiring how great a storyteller he is.
I like the idea of childhood sweethearts reuniting again after so many years. This book, however, is different, because the reunion may or may not give them a chance to be together for a lifetime. That's the reason why I love this book. It doesn't guarantee a happy ending and yet it totally surprises you with its beautiful, heart-felt message.
I found the plot twist predictable, however. But all in all, there's no denying that it's one of the utterly brilliant tales ever told by this magnificent author.
I know it was published years ago, but if you want a Nicholas Sparks feels one of these days, you might want to consider this book. :) And oh, it has a movie adaptation which I will definitely watch!
Rating: 4 Stars
September 25, 2019
3 Mediocre Stars
Amanda and Dawson were High School sweethearts. Destined for different things, their relationship was bound to fail. And it did. Big time. Amanda went to an Ivy League University and Dawson? Well, he went to Jail. Needless to say, that was the end of that.
Years later, the funeral of Dawson's mentor brings them together again. Dawson is still single, and has never married. Amanda is a married mother of three. That magic they shared together however, well, it's still there. How could it not be? They thought they'd be together forever, but alas, life doesn't always work out they way they planned.
Every once in a while I pick up a Nicholas Sparks' book or listen to an audiobook on a whim. What can I say except that he's still got it. I enjoyed this audio but I didn't quite love it as I didn't quite feel the chemistry between Amanda and Dawson and of course, I knew what to expect as the novel wore on. Still, though it was a nice enjoyable novel and I can say that I'll be back for more.
Thanks to Overdrive for the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 9.25.19.
Amanda and Dawson were High School sweethearts. Destined for different things, their relationship was bound to fail. And it did. Big time. Amanda went to an Ivy League University and Dawson? Well, he went to Jail. Needless to say, that was the end of that.
Years later, the funeral of Dawson's mentor brings them together again. Dawson is still single, and has never married. Amanda is a married mother of three. That magic they shared together however, well, it's still there. How could it not be? They thought they'd be together forever, but alas, life doesn't always work out they way they planned.
Every once in a while I pick up a Nicholas Sparks' book or listen to an audiobook on a whim. What can I say except that he's still got it. I enjoyed this audio but I didn't quite love it as I didn't quite feel the chemistry between Amanda and Dawson and of course, I knew what to expect as the novel wore on. Still, though it was a nice enjoyable novel and I can say that I'll be back for more.
Thanks to Overdrive for the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 9.25.19.
October 28, 2011
I used to love Nicholas Sparks. Dear John is one of my favorite books because of how deeply it touched me and spoke about true love. But it's the last book of his that I've absolutely adored that way. The Lucky One was a nice little story, and The Last Song touched me simply because, at the time, my father was dying of cancer. Safe Haven reminded me too much of The Guardian, and this book, The Best of Me...where do I start?
First of all, by the time I had gotten to page 90, I'd already read several peoples points of views. I hated that. In some stories, pov switching is effective, but not in this case. I liked the story between Dawson and Amanda, but the ending was cliche and predictable. Sparks usually knows how to kill off a character and it be effective, but this was just stupid to be honest.
Sparks is a great writer and I have respect for his craft, but he needs to stop worrying about writing books that will turn into movies and get back to the roots of his talent. Start being a storyteller again. As a struggling writer, I looked up to him because of how well rounded his characters are and how touching the stories are (especially Dear John, The Notebook, and Message in a Bottle) but this book is, to be put bluntly, a catastrophe and I hope he gets out of the movie business and back into the book business.
First of all, by the time I had gotten to page 90, I'd already read several peoples points of views. I hated that. In some stories, pov switching is effective, but not in this case. I liked the story between Dawson and Amanda, but the ending was cliche and predictable. Sparks usually knows how to kill off a character and it be effective, but this was just stupid to be honest.
Sparks is a great writer and I have respect for his craft, but he needs to stop worrying about writing books that will turn into movies and get back to the roots of his talent. Start being a storyteller again. As a struggling writer, I looked up to him because of how well rounded his characters are and how touching the stories are (especially Dear John, The Notebook, and Message in a Bottle) but this book is, to be put bluntly, a catastrophe and I hope he gets out of the movie business and back into the book business.
August 24, 2012
Let me begin by saying that I listened to this book driving HOME from Canada (12 hr drive people) and it kept me awake so thank you to Nicholas, BUT.......
I am pretty sick of Nicholas Sparks, his books are sooooo predictable but it was 10,000 times worse because of the man reading it. UGH!!! He could NOT do voices and I found myself rolling my eyes and laughing out loud because he was sooo bad. Seriously, where do they find these readers? I want that job.
Dear Nicholas,
I'm sure you are a nice man and I've always imagined that you write your wife the sweetest love letters and I have loved many of your books. I saw THE LUCKY ONE twice in the theatre and I loved MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE even though you killed Kevin Costner and THE NOTEBOOK is the only movie I have ever like better than the book but I think I am going to have to break up with you.
We've had some good times, lots of laughs, many tears and hours and hours of pure entertainment but I think this is the end of our journey. I feel like we have grown apart. It's me, it's not you. I know you will still have lots of loyal readers and will be very happy.
Thanks for all of the good times,
Smiles,
Makita
I am pretty sick of Nicholas Sparks, his books are sooooo predictable but it was 10,000 times worse because of the man reading it. UGH!!! He could NOT do voices and I found myself rolling my eyes and laughing out loud because he was sooo bad. Seriously, where do they find these readers? I want that job.
Dear Nicholas,
I'm sure you are a nice man and I've always imagined that you write your wife the sweetest love letters and I have loved many of your books. I saw THE LUCKY ONE twice in the theatre and I loved MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE even though you killed Kevin Costner and THE NOTEBOOK is the only movie I have ever like better than the book but I think I am going to have to break up with you.
We've had some good times, lots of laughs, many tears and hours and hours of pure entertainment but I think this is the end of our journey. I feel like we have grown apart. It's me, it's not you. I know you will still have lots of loyal readers and will be very happy.
Thanks for all of the good times,
Smiles,
Makita
November 28, 2015
Tear jerker! Those are the only two words I can think to describe this book. I really enjoy Sparks' novels. I always know I'm in for a good cry!
October 30, 2020
Can Nicholas Sparks put out a bad book? I think Not! The Best of Me is truly The Best! Everyone of his books are written from the heart and grab the reader's heart. This book made my heart swell with joy and then the pain my hear felt hurt so much, it felt as if it wasn't just a novel I was reading. I would very much like to change the ending, it just shows that Sparks endings aren't all predictably the same. This novel gets all the stars possible.
May 10, 2017
It took me a while to get into the book but enjoyed it. It is different to the movie if you sae that first like myself. I wish Dawson and Amanda ended up together
June 15, 2013
Opening Line:”For Dawson Cole, the hallucinations began after the explosion on the platform, on the day he should have died.”
By now I’ve read enough Nicholas Sparks to know going in that I’m not always going to be guaranteed a HEA. In fact half of the suspense for me in reading his stuff now is that I’m not sure who he’s going to kill off. Sure it’s also frustrating as hell, because I always forget and then just when I’m all invested in the characters and wrapped up in their budding romance, blam. Tragedy strikes. Yeah, more than once I’ve thrown one of his books across the room in disgust but I still keep coming back for more. Damn you Sparks.
This was another good NS book which (as always) sucked me right in. I’ll be honest though there’s nothing particularly new here and even if Sparks’ name weren’t splashed all over the cover, there’d still be no mistaking who wrote it. The Best Of Me reads like bits and pieces of all his other books with; unrequited love, reunited lovers, Notebook-esque flashbacks with an older couple, moral dilemmas, a bit of spirituality, a tortured hero, unscrupulous bad guys and a predictable yet nail-biting ending while you await the outcome of (in this case) a shooting. Yet somehow all that’s ok because when something works for you and the reader why change it?
Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole were teenage sweethearts in 1984 small town North Carolina; from opposite sides of the tracks, their intense and beautiful romance didn’t really stand a chance. You see the Coles are hard drinking, woman beating, law breaking, drug dealing, bad boys and Amanda’s folks are church going, stand up citizens. Despite the odds, or maybe because of they manage to find each other and fall in love, spending considerable time at old man Tuck’s garage where Dawson works. I really enjoyed their teenage romance which is told here through flashbacks from both sides of the pair who are now in their forties.
Dawson is another quiet, somewhat tortured hero of Sparks’ who you can’t help but fall for. (I’m hoping to see Channing Tatum in the probable movie version) He works on the oil rigs, has spent time in prison and almost his entire life running from his messed up family and their reputation. Oh and he’s also never gotten over his one true love Amanda.
When their old friend and mentor Tuck dies the pair are reunited in their hometown for the funeral. The grumpy yet crafty old man has left explicit instructions as to how his final wishes are to be carried out, including a trip to his cabin and some personal letters. As expected the years apart haven’t diminished what Dawson and Amanda feel for each other despite the fact that Amanda now has a husband and children. Throughout their reunion we have some bad guys gunning for Dawson, a ghostly/angel figure following him and adding intrigue as we don’t learn the whys for a long time, and a bad marriage that may or may not be worth saving.
There are actually are quite a few characters involved here and Sparks has again written this using multiple POV’s which as the suspense factor increases get shorter and shorter, so that towards the end you’re only getting about a paragraph from each character. I found that this increased the tension level while he wove all the storylines together and left this reader on pins guessing the outcome. Damn you Sparks.
358jb4
By now I’ve read enough Nicholas Sparks to know going in that I’m not always going to be guaranteed a HEA. In fact half of the suspense for me in reading his stuff now is that I’m not sure who he’s going to kill off. Sure it’s also frustrating as hell, because I always forget and then just when I’m all invested in the characters and wrapped up in their budding romance, blam. Tragedy strikes. Yeah, more than once I’ve thrown one of his books across the room in disgust but I still keep coming back for more. Damn you Sparks.
This was another good NS book which (as always) sucked me right in. I’ll be honest though there’s nothing particularly new here and even if Sparks’ name weren’t splashed all over the cover, there’d still be no mistaking who wrote it. The Best Of Me reads like bits and pieces of all his other books with; unrequited love, reunited lovers, Notebook-esque flashbacks with an older couple, moral dilemmas, a bit of spirituality, a tortured hero, unscrupulous bad guys and a predictable yet nail-biting ending while you await the outcome of (in this case) a shooting. Yet somehow all that’s ok because when something works for you and the reader why change it?
Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole were teenage sweethearts in 1984 small town North Carolina; from opposite sides of the tracks, their intense and beautiful romance didn’t really stand a chance. You see the Coles are hard drinking, woman beating, law breaking, drug dealing, bad boys and Amanda’s folks are church going, stand up citizens. Despite the odds, or maybe because of they manage to find each other and fall in love, spending considerable time at old man Tuck’s garage where Dawson works. I really enjoyed their teenage romance which is told here through flashbacks from both sides of the pair who are now in their forties.
Dawson is another quiet, somewhat tortured hero of Sparks’ who you can’t help but fall for. (I’m hoping to see Channing Tatum in the probable movie version) He works on the oil rigs, has spent time in prison and almost his entire life running from his messed up family and their reputation. Oh and he’s also never gotten over his one true love Amanda.
When their old friend and mentor Tuck dies the pair are reunited in their hometown for the funeral. The grumpy yet crafty old man has left explicit instructions as to how his final wishes are to be carried out, including a trip to his cabin and some personal letters. As expected the years apart haven’t diminished what Dawson and Amanda feel for each other despite the fact that Amanda now has a husband and children. Throughout their reunion we have some bad guys gunning for Dawson, a ghostly/angel figure following him and adding intrigue as we don’t learn the whys for a long time, and a bad marriage that may or may not be worth saving.
There are actually are quite a few characters involved here and Sparks has again written this using multiple POV’s which as the suspense factor increases get shorter and shorter, so that towards the end you’re only getting about a paragraph from each character. I found that this increased the tension level while he wove all the storylines together and left this reader on pins guessing the outcome. Damn you Sparks.
358jb4
April 3, 2015
Cuando comencé a leer el libro me di cuenta cómo iba a desenvolverse la historia, era evidente lo que iba a pasar, pero no por eso no lo disfruté. Saber que lo que pensaba se estaba cumpliendo me hizo tener una mezcla de sentimientos en todo el libro. Me gustó bastante, sufrí, reí, lloré…
Me encantó la relación tan única y especial entre Dawson y Amanda (a pesar de que ella se me hizo muy odiosa en varias oportunidades). Esos 25 años distancias no cambiaron ese vínculo de amistad y confianza que se tenían en la adolescencia.
La historia está situada en Oriental, North Carolina. Las descripciones de los lugares son magníficas...es como si uno estuviera en ese prado con flores…
Es de lectura rápida y no me aburrió en ningún momento. Tiene un montón de frases geniales, algunas muy cursileras pero lindas.
Sobre el final… MUY INJUSTO!! Me dieron ganas de llorar y me enojé con Sparks por hacerme sufrir de esa manera.
En resumen, creo que el libro prueba que todo lo que pasa en la vida, sucede por una razón.
Y si hay unas pocas palabras para definir este libro son las siguientes: Emocionalmente injusto.
Calificación:
3 estrellas y ½. Es raro, pero debo reconocer que le colocaría 4 estrellas porque cada día que pasa me gusta más. Me dejó algo traumada y pensativa…
Me encantó la relación tan única y especial entre Dawson y Amanda (a pesar de que ella se me hizo muy odiosa en varias oportunidades). Esos 25 años distancias no cambiaron ese vínculo de amistad y confianza que se tenían en la adolescencia.
La historia está situada en Oriental, North Carolina. Las descripciones de los lugares son magníficas...es como si uno estuviera en ese prado con flores…
Es de lectura rápida y no me aburrió en ningún momento. Tiene un montón de frases geniales, algunas muy cursileras pero lindas.
Sobre el final… MUY INJUSTO!! Me dieron ganas de llorar y me enojé con Sparks por hacerme sufrir de esa manera.
En resumen, creo que el libro prueba que todo lo que pasa en la vida, sucede por una razón.
Y si hay unas pocas palabras para definir este libro son las siguientes: Emocionalmente injusto.
Calificación:
3 estrellas y ½. Es raro, pero debo reconocer que le colocaría 4 estrellas porque cada día que pasa me gusta más. Me dejó algo traumada y pensativa…
October 17, 2016
★★★★★★★☆☆☆[7/10]
There are only three places in the world where you stand the risk of losing many of your favorite persons-
⏩ Real world, during natural calamities.
⏩ Fictional world, Game of Thrones.
⏩ Fictional world, Nicholas Sparks novels.
Throw in some romance, some supernatural conscience, some predictably melancholy farewell, there you go- you call it a best seller. Seven stars, because I stained the pages with tears. But then I go and cry about everything at the slightest provocation.
Michelle Monaghan and James Marsden, you owe me big time. I did it for you!!
There are only three places in the world where you stand the risk of losing many of your favorite persons-
⏩ Real world, during natural calamities.
⏩ Fictional world, Game of Thrones.
⏩ Fictional world, Nicholas Sparks novels.
Throw in some romance, some supernatural conscience, some predictably melancholy farewell, there you go- you call it a best seller. Seven stars, because I stained the pages with tears. But then I go and cry about everything at the slightest provocation.
Michelle Monaghan and James Marsden, you owe me big time. I did it for you!!
September 21, 2012
I am currently a Nicholas Sparks nut. I love a good ooey gooey romance novel. Shoot me.
I've read a lot of his books and this is the only one that has made me bawl my eyes out for about half an hour after I had finished it. It is heart wrenching and I was hooked the entire time.
I highly recommend this to someone who just is really in the mood to read a romance/chick lit.
I've read a lot of his books and this is the only one that has made me bawl my eyes out for about half an hour after I had finished it. It is heart wrenching and I was hooked the entire time.
I highly recommend this to someone who just is really in the mood to read a romance/chick lit.
November 17, 2011
I gave this book only 1 star because, although it was a typical Nicholas Sparks storyline, he clearly missed it in this one. I am an avid fan and have read everything he's written and normally can't wait for his next novel to publish. However, in this one, I didn't see the average warmth, caring and heart wrenching love that he's become famous for. The love story wasn't even in good telling. The ending sucked and really did make you feel that good guys finish last, no matter how good the heart is. It was sad from beginning to end with a somewhat predictable ending. Some of the story just wasn't cohesive, didn't flow well and didn't make sense. And to top it off, I've never seen such violence within a family clan. It was too far fetched and I now understand why Mr. Sparks said in the introduction that it was a very hard story for him to write. He should have gone a route that he was familiar with rather than try and force something else. We are his audience and maybe he's better just sticking to what works and keep enhancing what we enjoy and know of him as a celebrated author. Sorry, that's my opinion. I'm returning the book for a refund.
August 25, 2012
Nicholas Sparks, you never fail to deliver a great story. In fact, your job is never done unless I've been reduced to uncontrollable sobs, but I digress. In "The Best of Me," we meet Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole, high school sweethearts from different worlds who have a magical connection. However, they go their separate ways when their families and other events tear them apart. The death of their confidant, Tuck Hostetler, brings them back to their hometown 25 years later to confront their painful past and reflect on the decisions they've made since then. Their lives change drastically over the course of a single weekend and nothing will ever be the same once it's over.
This is perhaps Nicholas Sparks' best work to date. He continues to grow as a writer, stretching the confines of the "romance" novels he has become famous for. "The Best of Me" boasts action, suspense, tenderness and paranormal aspects, all leading up to a heart-wrenching conclusion that is much deserving of being played out on the big screen, like many of his other novels.
I highly recommend "The Best of Me" to all, but especially those who want to believe that endless love is possible.
This is perhaps Nicholas Sparks' best work to date. He continues to grow as a writer, stretching the confines of the "romance" novels he has become famous for. "The Best of Me" boasts action, suspense, tenderness and paranormal aspects, all leading up to a heart-wrenching conclusion that is much deserving of being played out on the big screen, like many of his other novels.
I highly recommend "The Best of Me" to all, but especially those who want to believe that endless love is possible.
July 3, 2017
"I gave you the best of me, and after you left, nothing was ever the same."
Nicholas Sparks did it again. I think he secretly (not so secret anymore) enjoys RIPPING our hearts out. I cried. Not ashamed. 🤚🏼
It started off as the mother of all clichés (not complaining), I still liked this a lot despite the very predictable, yet engaging plot; but I admit that some parts SHOOK me (not spoiling anything, you're gonna have to read this).
I'm glad I never gave up on Sparks and still am reading his beautiful novels (I do have a thing for typical romance).
PS: I think I'm more in love with Tuck than anyone else in the book + I loved the movie WAY more since it added more action and characters ( - Bobby Cole, Dawson's cousin AND best friend - and he didn't even exist in the book) that, too, BROKE my heart even more and made my cry like a baby.
Nicholas Sparks did it again. I think he secretly (not so secret anymore) enjoys RIPPING our hearts out. I cried. Not ashamed. 🤚🏼
It started off as the mother of all clichés (not complaining), I still liked this a lot despite the very predictable, yet engaging plot; but I admit that some parts SHOOK me (not spoiling anything, you're gonna have to read this).
I'm glad I never gave up on Sparks and still am reading his beautiful novels (I do have a thing for typical romance).
PS: I think I'm more in love with Tuck than anyone else in the book + I loved the movie WAY more since it added more action and characters ( - Bobby Cole, Dawson's cousin AND best friend - and he didn't even exist in the book) that, too, BROKE my heart even more and made my cry like a baby.
March 11, 2020
I don’t think there is a piece of this writing that I didn’t like. It is strange how I would go into a chapter expecting one thing, then the opposite happens, and yet I find am not disappointed. The writing was excellent.
Amanda and Dawson fell in love in high school. Dawson came from a gangster family where going to prison was a badge of honour. Dawson was the white sheep; it’s hard to believe he was from a family of criminals, good in every way. Yet, Amanda’s parents were against their relationship and threatened to not pay for Amanda’s college. Dawson ended the relationship because he wanted what was best for Amanda, believing that if you love something, you sometimes have to let it go and see if it comes back.
20 years later, they found each other...a proof that love is the most powerful force.
I can’t go into further details without spoilers. Definitely five stars for me.
Amanda and Dawson fell in love in high school. Dawson came from a gangster family where going to prison was a badge of honour. Dawson was the white sheep; it’s hard to believe he was from a family of criminals, good in every way. Yet, Amanda’s parents were against their relationship and threatened to not pay for Amanda’s college. Dawson ended the relationship because he wanted what was best for Amanda, believing that if you love something, you sometimes have to let it go and see if it comes back.
20 years later, they found each other...a proof that love is the most powerful force.
I can’t go into further details without spoilers. Definitely five stars for me.
Read
October 13, 2020Dawson comes from a very difficult background and falls in love with Amanda, she comes from a rich family. They spend a wonderful time together and their love grows deeper every day. An accident separates their paths. A few years later, they meet again and realize, that their love is still as deep as it was in the past. But Amanda's life now, revolves around very different things and so she cannot stay with him. But with the help of a stroke of fate, they still remain connected, even if it's a very strange way. As always the book is heartbreaking. I find the story around Dawson and Amanda very close, the other stories are important for the story, but they seemed a bit prudish to me, so the actual story (Dawson and Amanda) could have been more extended.
March 1, 2019
Ne znam u biti sto reci.. Nije me vuklo na citanje, nije me dirnulo.. Njegova Biljeznica je bila super i treba ju procitati i pogledati film. Za ovu knjigu to ne mogu reci, a za film cu ubrzo vidjeti. Kombinacija filma i knjige bila bi po meni savršena! :D Ovako je prosječno i jedno i drugo.
I btw, knjiga ima 311 stranica, a ne 236! :-/
I btw, knjiga ima 311 stranica, a ne 236! :-/
March 29, 2020
Sparks.. ¿QUE ME ESTAS CONTANDO?
Madre mía... me he puesto negra con el libro.
Igual hasta os traigo reseña hater en YT porque madre mia...
Tenemos a dos adolescentes que se aman pero no pueden estar juntos (como en el diario de Noah) y entonces él la deja ir para que ella tenga la vida que merece (como en el diario de Noah también) y pasan los años y ella se casa con otro y se reencuentran (sí, como en el diario de Noah).
Pero a partir de aquí la hemos liado. Resulta que ella está casada pero no ama al marido. Que tuvo una niña con cáncer y murió. Que ella y su marido se volvieron alcohólicos. Que ella lo dejó y él no. Entonces es un buen hombre, pero no, pero sí, pero se merece que lo amen, y ella no lo ama, pero no puede dejarlo porque no quiere perder a sus hijos. Y mil mierdas más que te quiere justificar cuando en verdad es tóxico y horrible todo lo que suelta por la boquita.
Pues bueno, protas pasan finde juntos para enterrar a un señor bonico que amaba muchísimo a su mujer y les dice que disfruten ese amor que tienen o se arrepentirán. Ella dice que tiene que volver a su casa porque no puede dejarlo todo. Él lo acepta. Se separan. Como no.. llega el DRAMON. Pero dramón de decir, señor Sparks se te ha ido del todo ya. Esto es infumable. No se le ocurre nada mejor que coger y que el señor marido buenísimo, pero no, borracho como una cuba llame al hijo para que lo vaya a buscar y de camino a casa tengan un accidente y el hijo esté a punto de morir. SEP, UNA MARAVILLA, ESPERAD QUE VIENE LO MEJOR. Y entonces resulta que le da un infarto, necesita un transplante de corazón. (CAMBIO DE ESCENA) El prota, Dawson, intercede para salvar a un chico del pueblo de sus primos y se oye un disparo. Y tu en tu casa en plan NOOOOOOO. Pues sí. Transplantan el corazón al niño, se salva. ¿Y de quién era el corazón? Pues OBVIAMENTE del único amor de la mujer.. OFC. QUE COINCIDENCIA QUE TUVIERAN MISMO GRUPO SANGUINEO Y QUE EL DISPARO FUERA EN LA CABEZA. Pero vamos... que encima de toda esta mierda, al final ella sigue con el marido bueno, pero no, se desintoxica y van a terapia. Y termina con que ella siempre amará al que se ha muerto, y estrechará a su hijo sintiendo los latidos de su amor, que salvó lo que más quería.
IN FU MA BLE.
Reseña en vídeo para que gocéis de mis caras:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdJXJ...
Madre mía... me he puesto negra con el libro.
Igual hasta os traigo reseña hater en YT porque madre mia...
Tenemos a dos adolescentes que se aman pero no pueden estar juntos (como en el diario de Noah) y entonces él la deja ir para que ella tenga la vida que merece (como en el diario de Noah también) y pasan los años y ella se casa con otro y se reencuentran (sí, como en el diario de Noah).
Pero a partir de aquí la hemos liado. Resulta que ella está casada pero no ama al marido. Que tuvo una niña con cáncer y murió. Que ella y su marido se volvieron alcohólicos. Que ella lo dejó y él no. Entonces es un buen hombre, pero no, pero sí, pero se merece que lo amen, y ella no lo ama, pero no puede dejarlo porque no quiere perder a sus hijos. Y mil mierdas más que te quiere justificar cuando en verdad es tóxico y horrible todo lo que suelta por la boquita.
Pues bueno, protas pasan finde juntos para enterrar a un señor bonico que amaba muchísimo a su mujer y les dice que disfruten ese amor que tienen o se arrepentirán. Ella dice que tiene que volver a su casa porque no puede dejarlo todo. Él lo acepta. Se separan. Como no.. llega el DRAMON. Pero dramón de decir, señor Sparks se te ha ido del todo ya. Esto es infumable. No se le ocurre nada mejor que coger y que el señor marido buenísimo, pero no, borracho como una cuba llame al hijo para que lo vaya a buscar y de camino a casa tengan un accidente y el hijo esté a punto de morir. SEP, UNA MARAVILLA, ESPERAD QUE VIENE LO MEJOR. Y entonces resulta que le da un infarto, necesita un transplante de corazón. (CAMBIO DE ESCENA) El prota, Dawson, intercede para salvar a un chico del pueblo de sus primos y se oye un disparo. Y tu en tu casa en plan NOOOOOOO. Pues sí. Transplantan el corazón al niño, se salva. ¿Y de quién era el corazón? Pues OBVIAMENTE del único amor de la mujer.. OFC. QUE COINCIDENCIA QUE TUVIERAN MISMO GRUPO SANGUINEO Y QUE EL DISPARO FUERA EN LA CABEZA. Pero vamos... que encima de toda esta mierda, al final ella sigue con el marido bueno, pero no, se desintoxica y van a terapia. Y termina con que ella siempre amará al que se ha muerto, y estrechará a su hijo sintiendo los latidos de su amor, que salvó lo que más quería.
IN FU MA BLE.
Reseña en vídeo para que gocéis de mis caras:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdJXJ...
December 12, 2011
I'm giving up on you Sparks.
No more.
No more.
Want to read
August 16, 2018Disappointed...
I wanted to read this book, but once I saw the movie I changed my mind.
I wasn't expecting a happy ending from this book, but the way this story was portrayed was kind of mean and unpleasant in my opinion. I am not talking about Amanda and Dawson's love story,as always that part was sweet and kind, I am referring to Dawson in particular.
I hope that it doesn't come across that way in the book, but in the movie it seems like Dawson had a crappy life from the very beginning and continued to have a crappy life that he didn't deserve; it really was all shit for him, just to end in a bigger pile of shit.
Maybe for Amanda the result was fate, destiny and all that, but for Dawson it was a terrible unfairness.
So in conclusion, I can't say I liked the story as it was depicted in the movie. It wasn't beautiful or nice, only a horrible life intertwined with a few moments of love. I didn't watch a true love story, a watched a tragedy. A tragedy excused with the idea of a fated end, a larger purpose in life.
I am sorry, but right now I am not in the mood for reading this type of predestined kind of tragedies.
Safe Haven
I wanted to read this book, but once I saw the movie I changed my mind.
I wasn't expecting a happy ending from this book, but the way this story was portrayed was kind of mean and unpleasant in my opinion. I am not talking about Amanda and Dawson's love story,as always that part was sweet and kind, I am referring to Dawson in particular.
I hope that it doesn't come across that way in the book, but in the movie it seems like Dawson had a crappy life from the very beginning and continued to have a crappy life that he didn't deserve; it really was all shit for him, just to end in a bigger pile of shit.
Maybe for Amanda the result was fate, destiny and all that, but for Dawson it was a terrible unfairness.
So in conclusion, I can't say I liked the story as it was depicted in the movie. It wasn't beautiful or nice, only a horrible life intertwined with a few moments of love. I didn't watch a true love story, a watched a tragedy. A tragedy excused with the idea of a fated end, a larger purpose in life.
I am sorry, but right now I am not in the mood for reading this type of predestined kind of tragedies.
Safe Haven
September 13, 2016
Nicholas Sparks has done it again. He has managed to write a book that has moved from page to page with such strong emotions it is as if he experienced every heartbreak, love, betrayal, loneliness and fright. He was able to bring the characters to life. The story is about the reunion of former lovers, Amanda and Dawson. They come back to their home town after hearing about the terrible news of the death of who used to be a father figure to them, Tuck. What unfolds after, is bigger than the both of them. I loved his way of writing just as I have always loved it. He would always describe every scene with great detail and would describe the feelings of every character from the book with details and real feelings as if he was in each and everyone's shoes. In addition, in a way I think he meant to teach the readers about the choices and decisions that, we the people, make in the real world and how they affect us in the long term. Personally, I learned that no matter how hard things get, I know everything happens for a reason. Of course I've always known that, but the book was a great illustration of that. Of destiny. Overall, the book was hard-to-put-down and realistic as well as thrilling. And Nicholas Sparks proved that endless love is reachable.
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My social media:
Instagram: @reemobooks
Twitter: @ReemoAlomari
Email: reem.alomari@gmail.com
Youtube: reemobooks
February 9, 2017
Am recitit aceasta carte, cu aceeasi placere cu care am citit-o. Desi finalul este usor trist, pot sa inteleg totusi ca moartea unei persoane iubite a putut salva o alta persoana care se afla la inceput de drum. O carte a emotiilor intense!
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