What can Nicholas Sparks teach us about love?
by Rebecca K. of HIgh Tech High International '14
Nicholas Sparks’ books are infamous for setting young adult girls’ standards high for romance. Whether it be Landon in A Walk to Remember, Noah in The Notebook, or John in Dear John, the men and relationships have become ideals in a girl’s mind. Through each perfect couple, Sparks teaches his readers a lesson about what it means to love. These three books can influence the way you look at love, and what it takes to have a successful relationship. I chose to read these these three books to understand why exactly girls are so drawn to Nicholas Sparks’ novels.
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A Walk to Remember
by Nicholas Sparks - 239 pages A Walk to Remember narrates the relationship between two unlikely characters. While Landon comes from a wealthy family, is ASB President, and has lots of friends, Jamie is too nice for anyone to talk to. Her main focus in life is pleasing God because of her pastor father. After asking Jamie to the homecoming dance because there was nobody else left to ask, Landon falls in love with Jamie. The book follows the romance of the two and exhibits their pure love for each other. This novel teaches the readers love can surprise you. It can come from someone you wouldn’t expect, or at a time you wouldn’t expect. If you are looking for a book to satisfy your emotional needs, this is the book for you. It’s a great love story and can teach you a lot about what it means to love unconditionally. It provides the perfect relationship fantasy, a book most teenage girls would enjoy. |
The Notebook
by Nicholas Sparks - 224 pages The Notebook tells the story of Noah and Allie, two young people who come from very different social classes. They meet one summer at a carnival and are quick to fall in love. However, because Allie’s parents want her to marry a rich man and Noah comes from a low social class, when summer comes to an end, so does their relationship. Fourteen years after their summer fling, Allie comes back to the town Noah lives in. The book finishes by revealing whether or not they end up together, and shows the path they take to get there. This book teaches us to never give up on true love. Noah knows that what they had was real and never gives up on their relationship. This book is a good option if you enjoy reading love stories. It’s a sweet book that is well worth reading. |
Dear John
by Nicholas Sparks - 352 pages Dear John is the love story of John and Savannah, who meet at a beach in North Carolina. John has difficulty connecting with his father, so he enlists in the U.S. Armed Forces. After returning home from deployment, he meets Savannah. Savannah comes from a religious family and is only at the beach to help build houses for the less fortunate. However, John is only home for a short period of time and soon after they fall in love, he has to go back to deployment. The rest of the book shows the development of their relationship, and the troubles of the long distance between them. Will they make it? Do they end up together? The rest of the book answers those questions. This book teaches us to treasure what we have, because one day it may all be gone. John is a good example of this. I would suggest this book if you enjoy reading light romantic books. It’s well-written, entertaining, and has an interesting conclusion. |