My little book review on "The Notebook"

I just finished reading "The Notebook." Yes, the story that was made into the much-loved (and perhaps overly talked about) romantic film (mostly amongst the girls, that is), and I had instantly adored Rachel McAdams who acted in it, and of course, like almost every other girl who saw the film, I had also developed a giddy crush on Ryan Gosling, who played the male lead.

But what I really want to write about is what I thought of the book. Reading the way Nicholas Sparks described Allie (the main female character in the book) was charming, mostly because of her free spirit, love for art and desire to contribute to society. However, I must say that it is Noah's character that is the most special, and I'll tell you why.

Noah's character as a lover is what women dream of; a man who loves whole-heartedly and never stops loving. While some may find this unrealistic, I like to stay open to a love that big that may exist out there. Outside the subject of love, however, Noah's character is the reason Allie became a famous painter. If it weren't for him, she would not have gone back to painting and, I have no doubt, she would have lived her life with the lingering feeling that something was missing. Noah encouraged her and believed in her, and that was what made Allie realize that he understood her the most. This is what makes him interesting, because although he came from a poor family and lived a very simple life compared to Allie, he had a strong passion for art (specifically poetry) and love for nature, which he always made time for in his life. When Allie got to know Noah again after not having seen him for fourteen years, she came to realize that "She had seen too many men in the past few years destroyed by war, or time, or even money. It took strength to hold on to inner passion, and Noah had done that."

I love the way the book encourages us to continue with our art in any small or big way in our busy lives. A quote in the book which I find much truth and reality in, "This was a worker's world, not a poet's," and for that reason, I feel that it is important to remember the things that give us joy. For Noah, it was reading poetry. For Allie, she later rediscovered that it was painting.

I'm a sucker for soppy romantic novels, that's a given. However, this book made an impression on me on other aspects such as being brave to live your own life, appreciating art, beauty and nature, and holding on to our passions. It really inspires and makes you reflect on life, and I think these are the kind of stories that I am most drawn to.

The thing that I was not so happy with, though, is how Sparks ended the book. I found myself wanting to know whether both Noah and Allie had found peace, and it was left uncertain.* I was happier with the film ending because it depicted a sense of contentment in both characters as they rested in each other's arms.**

Nicholas Sparks is known for writing tragic love stories, and "The Notebook" is most fitting in that genre. It is how he places an importance in art and living a full life, however, that I appreciate most of all.




*I just googled about this and found that the story continues in the sequel, The Wedding, which I will probably read soon.
**Maybe I will change my opinion after having read the sequel. We'll see.