Dear John Review

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January 27, 2010 • Kayleigh Loeffler  
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Books

          The New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks has a reputation for writing phenomenal books, and many of his most popular works, such as The Notebook and A Walk to Remember have been made even more famous by getting time on the big screen as feature-films. Although I’m very familiar with much of his writing, I’ve never actually sat down and read any of it. After receiving Dear John, his most recent work, as a Christmas gift, I figured it was time that I experienced his writing for myself.

          John Tyree is a rebellious, independent young man looking for a purpose in life.  After breaking away from his coin-obsessed and socially awkward father, John spends much of his time drinking at bars or going on pointless dates with countless girlfriends, with not much else on his agenda. In an attempt to occupy his time and find a way to grow up a little bit, he decides to join the army. However, when he comes home for his first leave, John’s life is changed forever when he meets the lovely Savannah Lynn Curtis, a college student working with Habitat for Humanity that has come to Wilmington, North Carolina to build houses for local needy families.  Both feel a powerful attraction for the other, one that only grows the more time they spend together.  Despite the fact that John must return to the army, they both have high hopes of a future together. But neither one could have imagined the day that 9/11 hit, a day that will change their lives forever and challenge the love that they both share. 

          It turns out that all of the raving and praise for the book was well-deserved. Sparks created a fantastic, emotional story that begs the question of what it means to truly love someone, and how that love transforms people forever. His cast of characters becomes more than just words in the book, finding a place in your heart and feeling more and more real the further you read. You find yourself truly feeling for each character through every one of their struggles and joys. John, though much of his character is up-tight and slightly intimidating, has a comical and sarcastic quality that makes him an enjoyable character. Savannah balances out John’s gruffness by being a tender and gentle spirit with a strong faith and heavy values. Their friendship and devotion to each other is inspiring, and it’s a joy to read how they fight for their relationship despite the fact that it leaves wounds on their own hearts. 

          The only weaknesses in the story are that at times it tends to be a tad slow and the ending of the book is more or less predictable. However, overall it was extremely worth it to read. Novels that have as much depth as this one does are hard to come by, and it is truly a masterpiece of literature.

          You can purchase either a hardback or paperback copy of Dear John from your local bookstore such as Books-A-Million and Barnes and Noble, and look out for the movie that premieres February 5^th.