The Choice
by Nicholas Sparks
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Book Reviews of The Choice
Book Review: Screwing With Some Heads!
Summary: 4 Stars
When I pick up a Nicholas Sparks bestseller, I usually know that he won't tick me off too bad. Lots of folks consider him to be the one who writes these ultimate romances just for the women, as well as hopeless romantics. And while I love some great love stories, I really enjoy somebody who isn't afraid to trash talk every now and then! And with Sparks, that's what I get, along with the romance and great story. Sparks has never been afraid to talk a little trash, and then back it up. And with "The Choice," he really gets things going. To the point where it nearly ticked me off! So, no pun intended, what a choice I made when I picked this puppy off the shelf!
Welcome to the backyard of Travis Parker, where he has a new hot tub and his dog, Moby, rolls around in fish guts sometimes. Wouldn't you simply enjoy the life Travis has to offer? He has his own boat, motorcycle, friends come over for cook-outs, this dude has it all. But he doesn't have a woman...he has a neighbor, Gabby Holland, and she just doesn't like Travis. At least she THINKS she doesn't like Travis. And Travis is out to prove her wrong all in one weekend. Well, without giving much away, he's right, and Gabby falls in love with Travis just as quickly.
But for those who believe in happy endings, just allow yourself to sink in this story, and see if you don't find yourself holding your breath. And see if that son-of-a-gun, Sparks, doesn't have you shaking your head when you least expect it.
And in the end, like I said, it almost had me ticked off. But I was also glad I allowed myself to simply enjoy a great story. And when I thought it was going to be some NOTEBOOK deva vu, not exactly. That was another way Sparks had me spinning. I can just see Sparks sitting at his desk with a chuckle, pointing his finger and saying, "GOTCHA!!" Hopefully this will be one that movie directors are looking to put on the big screen. It would really screw with some heads, and make for some great conversation when all is said and done!
Book Review: The choice
Summary: 4 Stars
I was inspired to read the choice by nothing more than the fact that it was written by Nicholas Sparks. His novels have always been a hit with me. I've read many such as Message In a Bottle, Dear John, The Notebook and A Walk to Remember. When I went to the library I went straight for his books, and figured I should give The Choice a try. If you decide to do the same, you won't be disappointed. If you're a fan of Nicholas Sparks and his love stories, then The Choice will be a book you enjoy!
In the book, the main character Travis Parker has been known to be a fun guy who loves to have fun. Everything in his life is going good and he doesn't feel like he needs anything new. This is until he meets his new neighbor Gabby. Gabby and Travis hit it off right away. The only set back, is the fact that Gabby is in a relationship. Gabby loves her boyfriend and has been serious with him for a while now. However, there is something about Travis that makes her like him so much. The ending is exciting just like Nicholas Sparks novels always are.
The only thing I dislike about Nicholas Sparks novels are how descriptive they are. They are usually a quick read, but he goes into great detail about everything. Sometimes, for me personally, this makes it hard to focus on what your reading. Its easier to doze off or start thinking about other things when there is too much unnecessary detail.
But the positive things about the book make it ok that there is too much detail. It's a great love story for anyone. Its easy to relate to, and get absorbed in. It's a very cute story, and very emotional just like all of Nicholas Sparks' novels.
If I were to recommend this book to someone, I would recommend it to a girl between the ages of 18 and 60. It would maybe be easier for a woman between the ages of 30 and 50 to relate to, but I think it would be good for any age. Women of all ages can relate to how cute this story is, and how it's a love story in general.
Book Review: Never read Sparks before. I have a specific comment
Summary: 4 Stars
At the beginning this was a slow read, but with enough joie de vivre and suspense about Gabby to keep me going. Then somewhere in Part 1, I got totally hooked.
Though the Prologue gave readers some suspense I truly think that part should have been elimated as well as Part 2 altogether. This would have left a novella, with those ends lobbed off, but Part 1 was actually quite wonderful. But though he's the best seller and I am not, I so felt the energy of the long ending detracted from the book.
All the energy was in Part 1, in the slow and even if predictable, wonderful way they fell in love. Sparks in my humble (not really) opinion should have stopped there, when they found their love and for all the right reasons. There was drama enough right in that section.
The chacter, Travis, in Part 2 doesn't seem anything like the Travis we see at the outset and Sparks tricked us with the prologue as if xxx was going to happen. Then it was yyy, and finally zzzz, which did not feel energetically or well-written.
I was tempted to give this 3 stars because I think the structure is maimed but I so enjoyed the first 187 pages that I give it a four stars. But if anyone is listening, really that ending was trite, contrived, not what was promised and the writing lost its lustre and its intimacy.
We are in awe of those few writers who make it big. But we should keep our senses and minds strong to see how they work their magic and when they don't. Doesn't anyone else here see that Part 2 was a drag. What Sparks might have done is finish at 187. And then begin a new novella of their marriage 11 or so years later. That is one problem with being so famous, you can get away with this sort of thing. Any non-famous writer would get that ending edited much more forcefully or cut altogether. I do appreciate the lovely love story. Pretty unforgettable.
Book Review: Good - but not his best
Summary: 3 Stars
I've read just about all of Nicholas Sparks's books. And this one is GOOD--it's just not his best.
My wife and I shared this book while on vacation. It helped pass the time on a long overseas flight and, in some places, helped me sleep while on the plane.
Sparks has the ability to weave an interesting story, develop characters real enough that you feel you know them, and sprinkle in liberal doses of realistic dialogue and dashes of humor. A love story always contains elements that anyone who has ever been in love can identify with. Every once in a while, my wife would comment "Does this remind you of anyone?" This is the best compliment I could give the novel--that lovers see themselves in parts of the story. We both identified with Travis and Gabby--two "opposites" who nevertheless are attracted to each other.
The difficulty I had with the novel was in its structuring. It actually is more like two novels in one. The first centered on the free-wheeling, risk-taking Travis Parker and his new neighbor, Gabby--a girl who prefers life to be more predictable and safe. As the love story develops, each morphs to become a little more like the other--Travis becomes willing to settle down, and Gabby engages in adventures she would have never considered if she hadn't met Travis. So far, the story rings true and exciting.
The other story is split between an introduction that portends an as yet undefined problem and a leap 10 years into the future to discover what the problem was and how it was resolved.
The end result is a novel that's a mixed bag. The story comes off as somewhat contrived and disjointed. Overall, we both enjoyed the book. But it was a little like listening to a beautiful concert--sandwiched between the discords of an orchestra tuning their instruments.
Book Review: I'm Speechless
Summary: 5 Stars
The Choice
I am truly at a loss for words as to how to review this novel. I just closed the book after reading the emotionally charged ending and my heart is heavy with all sorts of emotions, not to mention my throat, which has this huge lump in it that I can't seem to swallow.
It almost seems impossible to relate the story to you without giving away crucial elements that will give away the ending, and what a grand ending it was. Suffice it to say that this is a story about true love that can best be understood and treasured by those who have experienced it. If you're a fan of Sparks you will grasp my meaning.
To have the depth of love that existed between Travis and Gabby, though, is probably something that many of us will never experience and that is a shame. Sparks brings this idyllic experience of bliss to the pages of the book like no other author can, and he stresses the fact that making the correct choices in life makes all the difference in the world.
The setting, of course, is North Carolina, and the characters are ones that you will find yourself wishing you knew in real life. Sparks, again, did a fabulous job in that he makes the reader feel as if they are a part of the scene, feeling every emotion along with the characters, from pain to anguish to love of the most precious kind. His knack for incorporating that very special twist toward the end of the book is something I truly envy as an author myself.
Bravo to you, Nicholas.