Apr 16, 2013 10:41 PM
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Distance between two hearts is not an obstacle; rather a beautiful reminder of just how strong true love can be.
The Best of Me, is a heart-touching story of two people in love, separated over a period of twenty years and how, in spite of that - their love remains unconditional and irrevocable. Love has a lot of obstacles. Barriers. Obstruction. Whatever. Sometimes, in the form of parents, an outside enemy, misunderstandings, ambition, jealousy, fights......and what not. In this book, it comes in the form of helpless separation. A gap of twenty years and the two main characters are tested on whether they can rekindle that love again, even after one of them is married and has three children. Is it possible ?
PLOT SUMMARY :
Dawson and Amanda are teenage sweethearts. Though belonging to totally different backgrounds, their love remains unaffected. Amanda is rich and Dawson just the opposite, poor and a family full of criminals and thugs. Soon, they're made to see reality and forced to separate.
Twenty years (0r was it 25?) pass. In between, Dawson had murdered a Dr. Bonner and even went to jail for that. Amanda is married to Frank and has four children, one of them who died at a very small age. Both are leading a troubled life. Dawson lives in his guilt and basically is a type of loner. Amanda lives in the grief of the death of her child and this has caused disturbances between her and Frank.
Both Amanda and Dawson are called by Tuck 's( their past mentor ) attorney. Tuck has died and the attorney has some news for them. Thus, the both of them travel to their hometown and of course, meet each other. What happens next? Do sparks fly? Do they come across the realization that they still love each other? That their world can be complete only with each other? Read The Best of Me to find out.
PROS :
Something which is there in most N. Sparks' books: beautiful story. The story was really heart-touching. I know after reading my review, it looks just a normal love story, but the later chapters of the book were just plain wonderful to read. The story is shaped into such a form that the ending becomes truly emotional.
The characters. Very well-defined and each had their own character traits. The pain, grief and guilt of both characters was well-described.
The setting. The way they fall in love, it was just very believable. Nothing too much, nothing too less. Also, the love that the two protagonists share is so strong, I dunno, but its just so lovely to read about them. Too think that even after twenty years their love remains so strong and passionate. And the ending.....wow.
In most of N.Sparks' books, usually one of the two protagonists die in he end. Even in this book, Dawson dies but still, this ending, this death had so much more feeling, so much more depth. There was more to it. I'm sorry but I can't reveal it because that would destroy the reader's experience but for me, the main highlight was the ending. That's what makes the story so heart-touching and more or less, all the pros are derived from it : the ending.
CONS :
Again, something which is there in most N. Sparks' books: too much description. Too much details about the two main characters, the introduction was a pain to read. The first few chapters can actually scare off a reader and compel him to stop right there, but have patience : the book is worth reading. Yes, the story has a slow pace but it eventually develops.
Other than that, I couldn't find any more cons. But actually, this slight con is enough to leave a large impact. The first few chapters of any book are solely responsible for capturing a reader's interest, if they aren't worth reading, then the book holds no interest.
MY TAKE ON THE BOOK :
A beautiful story and a must read. Excuse the descriptions and the slow pace, and you'll find this book a wonder. But then again, if you don't have a thing for romance, then don't try this book. You won't have the patience to keep up with it.
Thanks for reading,
Regards,
AH
