By Daniela Coe-McNamara
Staff Writer
Nicholas Sparks is one of the most iconic romantic novel writers of this century, and with the release of his new book, “The Longest Ride,” there was a lot of anticipation; fortunately, the novel exceeds any possible expectations and stretches beyond the confines of the typical love story.
Classics such as “The Notebook” and “A Walk to Remember” have been some of Sparks’ most famous novels-turned-movies, leaving readers with a lot of expectations for every new release. “The Longest Ride” has truly reached many of these high expectations with its fascinating story line and relatable characters.
“The Longest Ride” is the story of how an old couple and a young college student’s lives are both affected by the same event, as well as entangled with the historic events of World War II. Ira Levinson, an old man who gets in a car crash, is a depressed, downtrodden man after the death of his wife, but he still goes on with his life. Luke and Sophia are a young couple, recently broken up, who begin their story with a scene quite familiar to the porch scene in Sparks’ previous novel, “The Notebook.”
This tearjerker tells the story of the converged lives between these two couples and how the events in life have affected them through everything. Their love for each other takes the toll of many events such as death and hurt, but it still lives on no matter what. The memories recounted by Ira bring back good times, which contrast to the sad scene of Ira stuck in his car crash without his wife. The wonderful memories brought about by Ira’s imaginary Ruth keep him going, but also show how much has changed throughout his life. Luke and Sophia are the younger couple, struggling with the problems of their new love. Sparks knows how to connect to the memories of his older readers, as well as connecting to his younger readers with love stories which are incredibly relatable to their own lives.
With “The Longest Ride” being Sparks’ first novel in two years, it had a lot riding on it. The novel couldn’t be too sappy, but it also had to have the right amount of emotional turmoil to go along with the genre that Sparks’ writes for. With at least four movie adaptations, many expected another adaptable novel for yet another Nicholas Sparks movie, which is exactly what they got. The novel brings about a sense of thought and regret while also remembering all of the events that these couples have been through together.
“The Longest Ride” was anticipated by many avid readers, and it reached all expectations, easily exceeding many as well. Readers were ecstatic to find out that this story has the emotion and flashbacks of the beloved “The Notebook,” with a modern college kid twist as well. This book is easily lovable, for it incorporates the past, the present, and even a little of the future as these couples learn to deal with the events of life. Sparks’ strongest aspect of this novel is his flow from past to present, and the way he is able to connect every scene to the love stories of these two couples.
Sparks’ novels are always incredibly emotionally charged, but “The Longest Ride” is by far one of Sparks’ most touching novels. Many readers have cried, leaving critics in tears as well. The flashbacks and sad present day scenes represent how the good, the bad, and the ugly all have an effect on couples and how they deal with the troubles of life today. This fantastic novel has already been set for a movie to be released on Valentines Day of 2015. If the movie is anything like this sad novel, then the movie will easily bring crowds to tears.
“The Longest Ride” is now available in retail.
Leave a Reply