The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks

 A CAPTIVATING LOVE STORY  

What is the ideal activity to do on a Friday night after a busy and stressful week? Whereas some prefer to go outside and have fun in the city lights others chose to enjoy reading a romance novel by a fireplace while listening to Norah Jones.

Reading romance on a Friday night probably is the best kind of activity especially in winter such comes up with heavy rain or snowy storm. Nicholas Sparks’ novels can easily be found in every winter reading recommendation list since each captivating novel reaches number one in The New York Times bestsellers lists. However, The Notebook would be a perfect companion to read on the hot sand of the beach. This article will look through a book that not only melts but also warm the hearts of its readers, even more in the heat of summer, which is one of the most well-known novels of Nicholas Sparks is The Notebook which was published in 1996.

 Nicholas Sparks is one of the best storytellers and novelists in the United States. All of his books were able to reach the highest number on the list of the New York Times and remained in their place for weeks. He enchanted his readers for years and he continues his charm since his first novel The Notebook published when he was 28 years old. He published his last novel The Wish in 2021 which is his twenty-second novel. Most of the works of Nicholas Sparks had been adapted into movies. The most popular adaptation is the ‘’The Notebook’’ which is the adaptation of his debut novel in the same title. The movie had been immensely popular since it managed to make its audience's hearts beat faster when it was released in 2004 starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The movie was awarded eight times which also doubled the sales of the novel.

The Notebook is a story of unforgettable love, loss, and reunion. The novel is set in New Bern, North Carolina after World War II. Noah Calhoun and Allison Nelson, who was called Allie, meet one summer after graduating high school. They deeply fall in love with each other. Allie and Noah spend the perfect summer that never existed even in movies. It is a summer of the first times and intimate moments, the innocence of the first kiss and loving no matter what. Something magical as if it will last forever. Yet summer is not something that will last forever, as time passes summer will have to eventually fade away. Allie moves away from New Bern and not only social class differences but also economic obstacles prevent them to be together. Another obstacle is Allies’ mother Anne Nelson she strictly implies that in another life their relationship would happen. However, they are not made up for each other since Noah’s social status is a threat to the Nelson family's reputation.

 The memory of Allie keeps haunting Noah’s mind for years. He knows that he is only a simple man but he loved Allie greatly more than anything else. “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.” (Sparks Nicholas 3). He always tries to reach Allie no matter what. He writes letters which were remained unanswered because they never reach Allie due to her mother. Anne hides each letter and keeps them out of reach from Allie. To get rid of the haunting memories of Allie, Noah goes off to World War II. After returning from the War Noah restore his old family house and start a new phase of his life. He lives a serene life with his dog. Spends his time doing daily chores and reading his favorite poetry collection of Walt Whitman which is ‘’Leaves of Grass’’. Even though his beloved is not reachable which causes him to suffer greatly, he never loses his romantic sensibility.

 On the other hand, Allie is engaged with Lon Hammond Jr who is a loving family gentleman and a good lawyer. One day she saw a newspaper article about Noah’s achievements she courageously returns to New Bern. With a heart-warming reunion, Noah and Allie find themselves in a moment where they can be able to refresh their intimacy. It reveals that all the letters that have remained unanswered were because of the Allies’ mother. Noah prepares a two-person feast for Allie which is a crab for dinner that is deliciously and detailly written. Even though both are well aware that Allie is engaged and had to leave him all over again eventually. The only intention was to celebrate an intimacy that once they shared which is an intimacy found one in a million. After Allie left again to go to her town, time passes to present another frame of a larger picture. It demonstrates a man reading a story in a nursing home to the people out loud. It reveals that Allie chose to share her life with Noah, her first love, once again. She had to leave her husband to follow another path which is the real path of eternal happiness. It is said that good things take time and Allie does not want to lose her chance. She says; “The path I’ve chosen has always been the right one, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” (Sparks Nicholas 192). In the last chapter, it revealed that Allie had long suffered from Alzheimer's and Noah reads the written story of their own to her beloved each day. 

 In conclusion, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks is not only captivating but also a breathtaking timeless love story that makes its readers cry tears of sadness and tears of joy. Various messages can be noticed directly and indirectly. Even though there are obstacles that prevent something, the greater love is so strong that it will overcome each obstacle. Since there is love found once in a million and once in a lifetime, both characters found a way to reunite even though they did not see each other for years. The Notebook is a masterpiece that will be a perfect read on the beach for those who want to spend quality time on their vacation.

SOURCES CITED:

Sparks, Nicholas. The Notebook. Vision, Hachette Book Group New York, USA. 2004