Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Nights in Rodanthe
Book Review: A Quick, Satisfying Love Story
Summary: 3 Stars
Even in a book that's only 222 pages long Nicholas Sparks manages to weave his magic. Building a level of suspense as we await breathless to learn of Paul's fate. Reminiscent of bridges of Madison County this a quick, easy read but a great story nonetheless.
The story begins with Adrienne telling her widowed daughter the tale of her brief love affair fourteen years earlier with a surgeon named Paul. We then alternate between Paul and Adrienne's points of view as we learn the story of their lives and what brought them each to divorce before they found themselves at the inn in Rodanthe.
With a violent storm brewing our protagonists share a walk on the beach and two meals together then fall hopelessly in love. (This did feel a little rushed to me but whatever it's Nicholas Sparks we all know where he's going) After five blissful days together Paul leaves Rodanthe to join his son at the medical clinic in Ecuador. Promising to return to Adrienne at Christmas so they can have their HEA but... Well it's Nicholas Sparks isn't it?
This is a quick, smooth read with well developed characters and the typical tugging of the heartstrings we have all come to expect from N.S.
Recommended for an afternoon at the beach or a short flight.
"The greater the love, the greater the tragedy when it's over those two elements always go together"
Book Review: A Simple, but Moving Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading "Nights in Rodanthe" by Nicholas Sparks. Like all of Sparks' books, the plot is simple. His beautiful imagery and ability to pinpoint a feeling with specific words, however, are what really make his this book an exceptional read. His craft allows the reader to step into the characters point of view and really feel what they are feeling.
In "Nights in Rodanthe," these techniques are most prominently applied with the main character, Adrienne. He describes her thoughts and emotions perfectly, as if he were recently divorced, and practically a single mom himself. The reader is able to feel what she is feeling from Sparks' description.
The plot itself is not anything extravagant. It is effective, but very predictable. After Paul leaves for Ecuador to visit his son, he promises that he will be back in one year to live the rest of his life with Adrienne. If one has read Sparks' books, they know that his books almost always ends in a death. Seeing that Paul returning in a year would be too perfect, I already knew he was going to die, before the book was even at that part. I would have enjoyed the book more if it had not been so predictable, but it is still a moving piece of literature.
I recommend that you read this book if you enjoy reading love stories. The ending is one of Sparks' more depressing endings, in my opinion. Although it is unsatisfying, the lasting effect Paul has had on Adrienne will inspire you to make changes in your own life.
Book Review: Eh, a so-so novel
Summary: 2 Stars
Maybe there's something wrong with me, but I wanted more. This is the 3rd Sparks novel I've read (just to see if maybe I've read a couple bad apples) but I have yet to be compelled to stay up all night reading one of his books. My interest was peaked by the movie trailer for Rodanthe, so of course I picked up the book knowing it would be better instead. It was an easy read, which is what I was looking for seeing as how I was flying out of town for 3 days. But I just couldn't get into the characters' heads/shoes so much. I felt for them, but not on a very deep level. I don't find the characters in his novels to be all that dynamic. I feel somewhat teased by the lack of depth & development regarding storylines and characters. I keep giving Sparks the benefit of the doubt, but I'm let down every time. I don't understand how so many people find him to be so moving.Book Review: Flo's Books-Nick S.
Summary: 5 Stars
This was my first reading of Sparks' books (I missed the movie versions of Letter in a Bottle and The Noteook). It made me a real Sparks' fan. I found it incredible that a man could so realistically express some of the emotions that women experience. I had to look at the author's name a few times as I was reading to assure myself that this was not a woman righting under a psuedonym. I now understand why Sparks' books have been made into moview.Book Review: Formulaic N. Sparks--> ie decent book, but nothing great.
Summary: 3 Stars
1. N. Sparks is one of those folks who has become so successful that it's probably a double-edged sword in that his publisher expects him to crank out novel after novel... with the same formulaic material that has made him successful.
2. Thus, if you're expecting and wanting another typical N. Sparks book--> this will probably do the job. If you want some growth and originality; forget it.
3. As I've noted in another review, I think his best book is his autobiographical book: Three Weeks with my Brother. An amazing book and nonfiction of all things.