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A Walk to Remember
There was a time when the world was sweeter...when the women in Beaufort, North Carolina, wore dresses, and the men donned hats...when something happened to a seventeen-year-old boy that would change his life forever. Every April, when the wind blows in from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood. No other author today touches our emotions more deeply than Nicholas Sparks.
Illuminating both the strength and the gossamer fragility of our deepest emotions, his two New York Times bestsellers, The Notebook and Message in a Bottle, have established him as the leading author of today's most cherished love stories. Now, in A Walk to Remember, he tells a truly unforgettable story, one that glimmers with all of his magic, holding us spellbound-and reminding us that in life each of us may find one great love, the kind that changes everything...
Illuminating both the strength and the gossamer fragility of our deepest emotions, his two New York Times bestsellers, The Notebook and Message in a Bottle, have established him as the leading author of today's most cherished love stories. Now, in A Walk to Remember, he tells a truly unforgettable story, one that glimmers with all of his magic, holding us spellbound-and reminding us that in life each of us may find one great love, the kind that changes everything...
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1999
About the author
Nicholas Sparks
334 books230k followersNicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 130 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 92 million copies in the United States alone.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 16,778 reviews
March 5, 2013
Not a proper review. Just me gushing over a book/movie that makes me cry everytime I watch/read it. Beautiful.
This is in random order. Don't try to make sense of it. You won't.
This is in random order. Don't try to make sense of it. You won't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2007
I like the book better than the movie.
the struggle of jamie and langdon for their love over death...sounds cliche, but i think the book is the second best romance story next to Love Story by Erich Segal.
try to read it at 2 am in the morning when all you hear is silent and you'll get into the story until you burst into tears...
i smiled.
i cried.
nice.
the struggle of jamie and langdon for their love over death...sounds cliche, but i think the book is the second best romance story next to Love Story by Erich Segal.
try to read it at 2 am in the morning when all you hear is silent and you'll get into the story until you burst into tears...
i smiled.
i cried.
nice.
September 21, 2017
I am surprised by how much I liked this one. This was my first Nicholas Sparks read and after years of it being recommended to me I finally gave in.
I expected a by the numbers, cliche, love story. And it was in a way, but the characters were great and so the journey was great. And sad.
You know where this is headed from the very beginning in a way, but it still surprises you at points.
And no, I did not cry... I think... Maybe... Manly tears only...
I expected a by the numbers, cliche, love story. And it was in a way, but the characters were great and so the journey was great. And sad.
You know where this is headed from the very beginning in a way, but it still surprises you at points.
And no, I did not cry... I think... Maybe... Manly tears only...
October 24, 2019
It has taken me 19 years to finally read 'A Walk to Remember'... the movie version is one of my all time favourites. Although after reading the book I now realise that the movie was tweaked a bit, it nevertheless still retained the essence of the book ❤️.
Book or movie? Definitely movie!!
Book or movie? Definitely movie!!
July 1, 2018
I've been ugly crying for the last 20% of the book.
Emotional wreck.
Emotional wreck.
December 25, 2023
I fall in love with this book more and more each time I read it :) This is my favorite book and I'm glad I made it a tradition to reread it every year :)
Read for the first time: 2002? 2003?
Read for the second time: 2009?
Read for the third time: December 9, 2013
Read for the fourth time: December 3, 2014
Read for the fifth time: November 19, 2015
Read for the sixth time: December 4, 2016
Read for the seventh time: December 23, 2017
Read for the eighth time: December 28, 2018
Read for the ninth time: December 25, 2019
Read for the tenth time: December 25, 2020
Read for the eleventh time: December 25, 2021
Read for the twelfth time: December 25, 2022
Read for the thirteenth time: December 25, 2023
Read for the first time: 2002? 2003?
Read for the second time: 2009?
Read for the third time: December 9, 2013
Read for the fourth time: December 3, 2014
Read for the fifth time: November 19, 2015
Read for the sixth time: December 4, 2016
Read for the seventh time: December 23, 2017
Read for the eighth time: December 28, 2018
Read for the ninth time: December 25, 2019
Read for the tenth time: December 25, 2020
Read for the eleventh time: December 25, 2021
Read for the twelfth time: December 25, 2022
Read for the thirteenth time: December 25, 2023
May 16, 2017
i'll be honest i'm not huge fan of romantic books but this book was different in some way have a beautiful message and i get it
September 9, 2020
A Walk to Remember, Nicholas Sparks
The story starts with a prologue from Landon Carter at age 57. The remainder of the story takes place when Landon Carter is a 17-year-old high school senior.
Landon Carter lives in the small, religious town of Beaufort, North Carolina. His father is a genial, charismatic congressman. Landon's father is not around very much, as he lives in Washington, D.C. Landon is more reclusive, which causes some tension in their relationship.
Landon's father pressures him into running for class president. His best friend, Eric Hunter, who is the most popular boy in school, helps him and, to his surprise, Landon wins the election. As student body president, Landon is required to attend the school dance with a date.
He asks many girls, but none are available. That night, he looks through his yearbook, trying to find an acceptable date. Since nobody else seems to be available, Landon reluctantly asks Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of Hegbert Sullivan, the Beaufort church minister, who accepts his invitation.
While Jamie is very religious and carries a Bible with her wherever she goes, Landon (one of the popular students) is reluctant to go to the dance with someone like her. When Landon is threatened by Lew, Jamie comes to Landon's aid, to his appreciation.
At the end of the night, he admits she was the best date possible. A few days later, Jamie asks Landon to participate in the school's production of The Christmas Angel. While Landon is not very enthusiastic about participating, he agrees to it anyway. Jamie, on the other hand, could not be happier about her new castmate.
Landon knows that if his friends learn about his role in the play, he will be teased relentlessly. One day at rehearsal, Jamie asks if Landon will walk her home, after which it becomes routine. A couple of days later, Eric mocks the couple during their walk home and Landon becomes truly embarrassed to be with Jamie.
Meanwhile, Landon continues to learn about all the people and organizations Jamie spends her time helping, including an orphanage. Landon and Jamie visit the orphanage one day to discuss a possible showing of The Christmas Angel, but their proposal is quickly rejected by Mr. Jenkins. When Jamie and Landon were waiting to meet Mr. Jenkins, she tells Landon that all she wants in the future is to get married in a church full of people and to have her father walk her down the aisle.
While Landon thinks this is a strange wish, he accepts it. In truth, he is beginning to enjoy his time with her. ...
A Walk to Remember is a novel by American writer Nicholas Sparks, released in October 1999. The novel, set in 1958–1959 in Beaufort, North Carolina, is a story of two teenagers who fall in love with each other despite the disparity of their personalities.
عنوانها: «پیاده روی به یاد ماندنی»؛ «مسیر خاطره انگیز»؛ «گریزی به خاطرات»؛ «قدمهای خاطره انگیز»؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سوم ماه سپتامبر سال 2010میلادی
عنوان: پیاده روی به یاد ماندنی؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ برگردان: میترا معتضد؛ تهران: دور دنیا، 1379؛ در 260ص؛ شابک 9647062060؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان امریکایی - سده 20م
عنوان: مسیر خاطره انگیز؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ مترجم: هنگامه عارفنیا؛ تهران: ثالث، 1386؛ در 200ص؛ شابک 9643801527؛
عنوان: گریزی به خاطرات؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ مترجم: پگاه ملکیان؛ تهران: انتشارات میلکان، 1396؛ در 192ص؛ شابک 9786008812050؛
عنوان: قدمهای خاطره انگیز؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ مترجم: سیده معصومه نورداد؛ قم نشر همخونه، 1397؛ در 208 ص، شابک 9786229965504؛ چاپ دیگر قم انتشارات ندای الهی، 1397؛ در 208ص؛ شابک 9786006113579؛
داستان به دیدارهای ، یک پسر پولدار، و یک دختر کشیش؛ و رخدادهای پس از آن میپردازد و ....؛
نقل از متن: «بیفورت» که در «کارولینای شمالی» و در ساحل نزدیک «مورهد سیتی» واقع شده، در سال 1958میلادی شهری شبیه به شهرهای کوچک جنوبی بود؛ این شهر تابستانها رطوبت چنان بالایی داشت، که شخص پس از بیرون رفتن از خانه، مثلاً برای گرفتن نامه های پستی، احساس میکرد، نیاز به دوش گرفتن دارد؛ بچه ها با پای برهنه دور و بر میپلکیدند؛ از ماه آوریل تا ماه اکتبر، زیر درختان بلوط، پوشیده از خزه های اسپانیایی بود؛ مردم هر گاه که فردی را در خیابان میدیدند، چه او را میشناختند و یا نمیشناختند، از داخل اتوموبیلهایشان برایش، دست تکان میدادند.؛ پایان نقل
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 18/06/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
The story starts with a prologue from Landon Carter at age 57. The remainder of the story takes place when Landon Carter is a 17-year-old high school senior.
Landon Carter lives in the small, religious town of Beaufort, North Carolina. His father is a genial, charismatic congressman. Landon's father is not around very much, as he lives in Washington, D.C. Landon is more reclusive, which causes some tension in their relationship.
Landon's father pressures him into running for class president. His best friend, Eric Hunter, who is the most popular boy in school, helps him and, to his surprise, Landon wins the election. As student body president, Landon is required to attend the school dance with a date.
He asks many girls, but none are available. That night, he looks through his yearbook, trying to find an acceptable date. Since nobody else seems to be available, Landon reluctantly asks Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of Hegbert Sullivan, the Beaufort church minister, who accepts his invitation.
While Jamie is very religious and carries a Bible with her wherever she goes, Landon (one of the popular students) is reluctant to go to the dance with someone like her. When Landon is threatened by Lew, Jamie comes to Landon's aid, to his appreciation.
At the end of the night, he admits she was the best date possible. A few days later, Jamie asks Landon to participate in the school's production of The Christmas Angel. While Landon is not very enthusiastic about participating, he agrees to it anyway. Jamie, on the other hand, could not be happier about her new castmate.
Landon knows that if his friends learn about his role in the play, he will be teased relentlessly. One day at rehearsal, Jamie asks if Landon will walk her home, after which it becomes routine. A couple of days later, Eric mocks the couple during their walk home and Landon becomes truly embarrassed to be with Jamie.
Meanwhile, Landon continues to learn about all the people and organizations Jamie spends her time helping, including an orphanage. Landon and Jamie visit the orphanage one day to discuss a possible showing of The Christmas Angel, but their proposal is quickly rejected by Mr. Jenkins. When Jamie and Landon were waiting to meet Mr. Jenkins, she tells Landon that all she wants in the future is to get married in a church full of people and to have her father walk her down the aisle.
While Landon thinks this is a strange wish, he accepts it. In truth, he is beginning to enjoy his time with her. ...
A Walk to Remember is a novel by American writer Nicholas Sparks, released in October 1999. The novel, set in 1958–1959 in Beaufort, North Carolina, is a story of two teenagers who fall in love with each other despite the disparity of their personalities.
عنوانها: «پیاده روی به یاد ماندنی»؛ «مسیر خاطره انگیز»؛ «گریزی به خاطرات»؛ «قدمهای خاطره انگیز»؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سوم ماه سپتامبر سال 2010میلادی
عنوان: پیاده روی به یاد ماندنی؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ برگردان: میترا معتضد؛ تهران: دور دنیا، 1379؛ در 260ص؛ شابک 9647062060؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان امریکایی - سده 20م
عنوان: مسیر خاطره انگیز؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ مترجم: هنگامه عارفنیا؛ تهران: ثالث، 1386؛ در 200ص؛ شابک 9643801527؛
عنوان: گریزی به خاطرات؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ مترجم: پگاه ملکیان؛ تهران: انتشارات میلکان، 1396؛ در 192ص؛ شابک 9786008812050؛
عنوان: قدمهای خاطره انگیز؛ نویسنده: نیکلاس اسپارکس؛ مترجم: سیده معصومه نورداد؛ قم نشر همخونه، 1397؛ در 208 ص، شابک 9786229965504؛ چاپ دیگر قم انتشارات ندای الهی، 1397؛ در 208ص؛ شابک 9786006113579؛
داستان به دیدارهای ، یک پسر پولدار، و یک دختر کشیش؛ و رخدادهای پس از آن میپردازد و ....؛
نقل از متن: «بیفورت» که در «کارولینای شمالی» و در ساحل نزدیک «مورهد سیتی» واقع شده، در سال 1958میلادی شهری شبیه به شهرهای کوچک جنوبی بود؛ این شهر تابستانها رطوبت چنان بالایی داشت، که شخص پس از بیرون رفتن از خانه، مثلاً برای گرفتن نامه های پستی، احساس میکرد، نیاز به دوش گرفتن دارد؛ بچه ها با پای برهنه دور و بر میپلکیدند؛ از ماه آوریل تا ماه اکتبر، زیر درختان بلوط، پوشیده از خزه های اسپانیایی بود؛ مردم هر گاه که فردی را در خیابان میدیدند، چه او را میشناختند و یا نمیشناختند، از داخل اتوموبیلهایشان برایش، دست تکان میدادند.؛ پایان نقل
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 18/06/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
December 10, 2022
This book is a masterpiece. In 240 pages, Sparks gives us all the feels. Every time I read it, I weep. On your first time through, there are all the surprises in the plot that keep you reading and reaching for the tissues. Then you reread and the anticipation makes those earlier bits so much sweeter and meaningful. Since I first read this book about 20 years ago, I keep comparing the other books from Sparks to this one. So far there have been some good ones--most with many more pages. None has compared with the story of Carter and Jamie from 1958. This is one I treasure. I hope you are as blessed by the reading as I have been.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. ~ I Corinthians 13:13
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. ~ I Corinthians 13:13
October 10, 2013
"Promise me, that you won't fall in love with me" says Jamie Sullivan to Landon Carter at the beginning of the novel. Nicholas Sparks might as well be telling me that because I picked this book based on my friend Patrick who has been insisting that this is the best Sparks. You see this is my 6th Sparks. I stopped after reading Safe Haven (2 stars) because I got tired of his Hallmark-kind of storytelling. So, I decided to give Sparks another try with a big doubt whether I would like this. This is the reason why it took me more than a month to finish this book. I started it and after few pages, I stopped. Promised that I would not like it. Too cheesy for my taste. Then started all over again then stopped again. Where was I? I forgot the story already. Then for the last 3 days, as I wanted to please my friend Patrick, I read without stopping and I really liked it.
It's an easy read and the characters, though caricaturish, are sweet and lovable. I mean, the world is full of treachery and duplicitous people but here are Sparks' characters that are their total opposites. This book is totally an escapist work but I love it. It changes the panorama of how we view the world say from dusky and smuggy to sunny, clear with pink-tinted gloss. It's nice to escape to reality and this book is a nice way to do it.
Reading Sparks is like eating at McDonald's. Of course I read more cerebral and serious books than this. Those are the healthy stuff or the steaks or those hard-to-pronounce French cuisine or those burned Meditterean veggies or those real raw treats in a Japanese resto. Despite having all those choices for good books, I still pick, once-in-a-while, a Sparks. We know what to expect and we can't deny that we like it. Just like going to McDonald's. We always see it our our way to work and we know that it is not healthy. But still pass by to have a quick fix for our hunger and we cannot deny that we like it.
It's an easy read and the characters, though caricaturish, are sweet and lovable. I mean, the world is full of treachery and duplicitous people but here are Sparks' characters that are their total opposites. This book is totally an escapist work but I love it. It changes the panorama of how we view the world say from dusky and smuggy to sunny, clear with pink-tinted gloss. It's nice to escape to reality and this book is a nice way to do it.
Reading Sparks is like eating at McDonald's. Of course I read more cerebral and serious books than this. Those are the healthy stuff or the steaks or those hard-to-pronounce French cuisine or those burned Meditterean veggies or those real raw treats in a Japanese resto. Despite having all those choices for good books, I still pick, once-in-a-while, a Sparks. We know what to expect and we can't deny that we like it. Just like going to McDonald's. We always see it our our way to work and we know that it is not healthy. But still pass by to have a quick fix for our hunger and we cannot deny that we like it.
October 3, 2020
The movie was better.
It's not often that I prefer the movie over the book, but it's also not often that I like chick flicks and the movie of this novel really got to me.
So honestly it was a bit sad that this book didn't have the rich details that the movie did.
That's what it comes down to, ultimately - not enough detail.
For those who don't know the plot, the story is told by Landon, who is a bit of a rebel. His dad hasn't been around so he's a bit reckless and wild, and also sometimes quite a jerk. Then he gets to know Jamie, daughter of the local pastor, and suddenly things begin to change.
There's also this secret that Jamie has, and the movie kinda spills halfway through, whereas this book left it to the last minute which ended up being frustrating. But I think if you haven't seen the film it will be a real gut-wrenching twist that will give you all the feels you want from a Nicholas Sparks book.
I'm not usually into the mushy stuff, but I do really love how this relationship plays out. I love Jamie and how she treats everyone, and there's no pretence to it. She's just such a loving soul, and the way Landon begins to change, just by knowing her, is actually pretty beautiful.
But the novel is short so it doesn't quite expand on the love story and so the ending feels a little abrupt and unsatisfying.
Overall, it's not a bad book - the characters are great and the story is sweet, but it just wasn't enough to win me over after the brilliance of the film.
Read the book before you see the film and you'll probably rate it a lot higher.
It's not often that I prefer the movie over the book, but it's also not often that I like chick flicks and the movie of this novel really got to me.
So honestly it was a bit sad that this book didn't have the rich details that the movie did.
That's what it comes down to, ultimately - not enough detail.
For those who don't know the plot, the story is told by Landon, who is a bit of a rebel. His dad hasn't been around so he's a bit reckless and wild, and also sometimes quite a jerk. Then he gets to know Jamie, daughter of the local pastor, and suddenly things begin to change.
There's also this secret that Jamie has, and the movie kinda spills halfway through, whereas this book left it to the last minute which ended up being frustrating. But I think if you haven't seen the film it will be a real gut-wrenching twist that will give you all the feels you want from a Nicholas Sparks book.
I'm not usually into the mushy stuff, but I do really love how this relationship plays out. I love Jamie and how she treats everyone, and there's no pretence to it. She's just such a loving soul, and the way Landon begins to change, just by knowing her, is actually pretty beautiful.
But the novel is short so it doesn't quite expand on the love story and so the ending feels a little abrupt and unsatisfying.
Overall, it's not a bad book - the characters are great and the story is sweet, but it just wasn't enough to win me over after the brilliance of the film.
Read the book before you see the film and you'll probably rate it a lot higher.
September 1, 2017
They say opposites attract and for Jamie Sullivan and Landon Carter this was true. Jamie was the daughter of a small town baptist minister. Jamie was a sweet, kind girl who liked to volunteer at orphanages and rescue animals. Everywhere she went she carried her bible and she never put on make up and didn't mix with the so called cool kids. Where as Landon was totally the opposite as he was one of the cool popular kids who would hang out with his friends after dark.
Hard to imagine, but Landon finds himself dateless for the homecoming dance and as much as he doesn't really want to ask Jamie to go with him as he knows everyone will talk about him, but he figured it was better than not having a date at all. He held no feelings for Jamie what so ever, but that would all change after the dance and Landon would see Jamie in a totally different way. Unfortunately Landon would soon learn something that would turn his world upside down.
A Walk to Remember is a beautiful love story which I enjoyed. Recommended.
Hard to imagine, but Landon finds himself dateless for the homecoming dance and as much as he doesn't really want to ask Jamie to go with him as he knows everyone will talk about him, but he figured it was better than not having a date at all. He held no feelings for Jamie what so ever, but that would all change after the dance and Landon would see Jamie in a totally different way. Unfortunately Landon would soon learn something that would turn his world upside down.
A Walk to Remember is a beautiful love story which I enjoyed. Recommended.
September 16, 2007
A Walk to Remember details the story of Jamie Sullivan, a preacher's daughter who seems to know everything, and Landon Carter, the boy who would never be tempted by Jamie in real life. The plot is predictable enough, even if you haven't seen the movie. I won't spoil the ending here, but it leaves quite a lot to be desired.
I wanted to like this book, since so many people I knew enjoyed it, but I ended up hating it. The material was far too idyllic in some parts, and overly sanguine in others. I could see how Nicholas Sparks fans could like it, but it didn't have enough heart or plot to keep me interested.
I wanted to like this book, since so many people I knew enjoyed it, but I ended up hating it. The material was far too idyllic in some parts, and overly sanguine in others. I could see how Nicholas Sparks fans could like it, but it didn't have enough heart or plot to keep me interested.
February 6, 2023
4.5 stars
My favorite Nicholas Sparks book (and film).
"Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it."
My favorite Nicholas Sparks book (and film).
December 30, 2018
Si les gustan las historias de amor ligeras, es una muy buena opción, por eso mi calificación de 4 estrellas. Sim embargo, después de terminarlo admito que no soy fan del escritor y todavía no tengo la razón muy clara, me encanta el romance, pero creo que es el tema de los clichés lo que hace que me desilusione un poco de la lectura.
September 14, 2010
♪♫♪I'll always remember
It was late afternoon
It lasted forever
And ended too soon. CRY, Mandy Moore
The song Cry, perfectly describes A Walk To Remember. It was short, but it would definitely be etched in my cranium for forever.
Who wouldn’t know Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan? In the movie, they were cast as Mandy Moore and Shane West.
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I remember it being a hit when I was in high school years ago. I watched the movie and loved it. I knew there was a book, but I only had a chance to read it recently. And I have to say that the book was just as good. Though I have to admit that I found the movie better than the book, but still both had their appeals.
Jamie Sullivan, is miss goody two shoes. She’s too GOOD to be real. She gives donations to the poor, goes to the orphanage to volunteer, saves critters on the streets and almost never says “no”. She’s selfless and she was ridiculed for it.
While Jamie is the ultimate role model, Landon Carter is the complete opposite. He’s a bad boy, who has a persona that doesn’t give a care about the world. He litters at the cemetery and he’s one of those who ridiculed Jamie.
And A Walk To Remember is told by the eyes of Landon. It started with him having to go to the homecoming ball with a date. He would have to die first than be seen with his mom as his date. So he asked Jamie, the last person on the earth anyone would ask. But what started with a necessity ended up as a constant want. He was once ashamed of being seen in Jamie’s company. But who could resist Jamie, when she is so sweet? He just had to please her. And ultimately, he’s fallen hard for her. We see how he was a boy who walked the earth without actually savoring and changing into a man who knew how to count his blessings and relish them for as long as he could.
Well, all I could say is: The love story was beautiful while it lasted. Well, I guess we all know that… Spoiler aheadJamie died End of Spoiler. But I swear that Jamie and Landon’s love story would touch my heart for as long forever. AS long as I don’t get amnesia or Alzheimer’s!
It was late afternoon
It lasted forever
And ended too soon. CRY, Mandy Moore
The song Cry, perfectly describes A Walk To Remember. It was short, but it would definitely be etched in my cranium for forever.
Who wouldn’t know Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan? In the movie, they were cast as Mandy Moore and Shane West.
[image error]
I remember it being a hit when I was in high school years ago. I watched the movie and loved it. I knew there was a book, but I only had a chance to read it recently. And I have to say that the book was just as good. Though I have to admit that I found the movie better than the book, but still both had their appeals.
Jamie Sullivan, is miss goody two shoes. She’s too GOOD to be real. She gives donations to the poor, goes to the orphanage to volunteer, saves critters on the streets and almost never says “no”. She’s selfless and she was ridiculed for it.
While Jamie is the ultimate role model, Landon Carter is the complete opposite. He’s a bad boy, who has a persona that doesn’t give a care about the world. He litters at the cemetery and he’s one of those who ridiculed Jamie.
And A Walk To Remember is told by the eyes of Landon. It started with him having to go to the homecoming ball with a date. He would have to die first than be seen with his mom as his date. So he asked Jamie, the last person on the earth anyone would ask. But what started with a necessity ended up as a constant want. He was once ashamed of being seen in Jamie’s company. But who could resist Jamie, when she is so sweet? He just had to please her. And ultimately, he’s fallen hard for her. We see how he was a boy who walked the earth without actually savoring and changing into a man who knew how to count his blessings and relish them for as long as he could.
Well, all I could say is: The love story was beautiful while it lasted. Well, I guess we all know that… Spoiler aheadJamie died End of Spoiler. But I swear that Jamie and Landon’s love story would touch my heart for as long forever. AS long as I don’t get amnesia or Alzheimer’s!
January 1, 2016
first book of 2016 is a reread! I haven't read this book in a really long time. I forgot how short it was, it took me about an hour and a half to get through.
I still love it as much as I remember. Yes, its different than the movie, and I watched the movie first, many years ago...but the book is great, and its probably my favorite Sparks book to date.
come find me: IG: @ash.reads
I still love it as much as I remember. Yes, its different than the movie, and I watched the movie first, many years ago...but the book is great, and its probably my favorite Sparks book to date.
come find me: IG: @ash.reads
October 10, 2013
I am not a Nicholas Sparks fan. I like my love stories with a little more pizzazz, wit and humour. I want the heroines to be headstrong and dripping with pithy comebacks. I expect the heroes to be unassuming to begin with and memorable by the time I shut the book. And most of all, I want...no, I DEMAND a happy ending. So, keeping all these requirements in mind,
A Walk To Remember
is not my cup of tea.
And yet, dare I use a dreadful pun? The books had it's occasional *sparks*. It helped that I read the book and watched the movie based on it simultaneously.
In a nutshell, the book is about the quintessential bad boy falling for the Reverend's holier-than-thou daughter. It's about cheeky Landon Carter losing his heart to the angelic Jamie Sullivan. It's about one glorious summer in the lives of two teenagers and their journey to a heart-breaking end.
Shane West plays Landon Carter in the movie. With the angular thrust of his eyebrows and his devilish smile, Shane West was better than the paperback Landon. Mandy Moore plays the parish's golden girl, Jamie Sullivan. Let's just say that paperback Jamie was better than the celluloid one.
Amalgamating the two sources, I give you my favourite moments:
Spark #1: This may seem like a very pompous thing for Jamie to say, but taken into context with what her future holds....it's poignant.
Spark #2: There's something endearing about the way Shane West nuzzles Mandy Moore's shoulder. It was symbolic of how hormones were not the governing factor in their relationship. And it helps that it was Shane West doing the shoulder-nuzzle.
Spark #3: The last line wasn't in the book. But it was a perfect addition. Bible carrying Jamie Sullivan was the girl brimming with faith in God's plan. Falling in love with Landon throws a curve ball that makes Jamie vulnerable.
Spark #4: A version of Jamie's favourite passage from the Corinthians that she would have liked to be read out at her wedding. And which does get read at her wedding. It was also, pretty much, the essence of Jamie Sullivan.
Spark #5: This line sounds super-cheesy but considering the fact that Reverend Hegbert spent a good part of the book disapproving of Landon Carter and his heathen ways, it was pretty special for Landon to hear this at the end of the story.
So yes, the book is not for those who want a fast-paced read. It's not for those who don't want their religion thrust in their faces. And give it a miss if you don't fancy bittersweet endings.
But, if you want a change of pace; if you want to imagine an entirely likeable Shane West as the appropriately cast Landon Carter falling fathoms deep in love; if you want to just savour a different facet of love....then this book (and movie) is the one for you.
And yet, dare I use a dreadful pun? The books had it's occasional *sparks*. It helped that I read the book and watched the movie based on it simultaneously.
In a nutshell, the book is about the quintessential bad boy falling for the Reverend's holier-than-thou daughter. It's about cheeky Landon Carter losing his heart to the angelic Jamie Sullivan. It's about one glorious summer in the lives of two teenagers and their journey to a heart-breaking end.
Shane West plays Landon Carter in the movie. With the angular thrust of his eyebrows and his devilish smile, Shane West was better than the paperback Landon. Mandy Moore plays the parish's golden girl, Jamie Sullivan. Let's just say that paperback Jamie was better than the celluloid one.
Amalgamating the two sources, I give you my favourite moments:
Spark #1: This may seem like a very pompous thing for Jamie to say, but taken into context with what her future holds....it's poignant.
Spark #2: There's something endearing about the way Shane West nuzzles Mandy Moore's shoulder. It was symbolic of how hormones were not the governing factor in their relationship. And it helps that it was Shane West doing the shoulder-nuzzle.
Spark #3: The last line wasn't in the book. But it was a perfect addition. Bible carrying Jamie Sullivan was the girl brimming with faith in God's plan. Falling in love with Landon throws a curve ball that makes Jamie vulnerable.
Spark #4: A version of Jamie's favourite passage from the Corinthians that she would have liked to be read out at her wedding. And which does get read at her wedding. It was also, pretty much, the essence of Jamie Sullivan.
Spark #5: This line sounds super-cheesy but considering the fact that Reverend Hegbert spent a good part of the book disapproving of Landon Carter and his heathen ways, it was pretty special for Landon to hear this at the end of the story.
So yes, the book is not for those who want a fast-paced read. It's not for those who don't want their religion thrust in their faces. And give it a miss if you don't fancy bittersweet endings.
But, if you want a change of pace; if you want to imagine an entirely likeable Shane West as the appropriately cast Landon Carter falling fathoms deep in love; if you want to just savour a different facet of love....then this book (and movie) is the one for you.
December 23, 2022
This book... is so much more than words written on a blank page. This book is so pure, you can touch the love that surrounds it. I fell for it... I fell with all that I am and I always will.
A walk to remember has a great movie adaptation. It’s my favorite movie. I cry every time I watch it. And again, time changes the interpretation one person may have about the story.
I read this book in one day in 2013. I loved it even then. But I didn’t cry that time. Because I was younger and I didn’t quite understand the meaning of the book. But rereading it... changed all my perspectives. And of course, it made me feel so many things, that I cried for the last 10% of it.
The characters have such a beautiful bond, such a pure love and such an amazing storyline that erases the sadness. Time is short, but then again, the important thing is that the characters choose to live. To live through love and also, through the word of God.
This is the type of book I would never get tired of. Because this book left a mark on my heart. An imprint. A forever.
A walk to remember has a great movie adaptation. It’s my favorite movie. I cry every time I watch it. And again, time changes the interpretation one person may have about the story.
I read this book in one day in 2013. I loved it even then. But I didn’t cry that time. Because I was younger and I didn’t quite understand the meaning of the book. But rereading it... changed all my perspectives. And of course, it made me feel so many things, that I cried for the last 10% of it.
The characters have such a beautiful bond, such a pure love and such an amazing storyline that erases the sadness. Time is short, but then again, the important thing is that the characters choose to live. To live through love and also, through the word of God.
This is the type of book I would never get tired of. Because this book left a mark on my heart. An imprint. A forever.
May 19, 2020
"Tienes que prometer que no te enamorarás de mí".
Te diriges hacia una calamidad sin precedentes. Tienes una vaga premonición de los restos emocionales que sufrirás en un instante. Sin embargo, vas en contra de tu mal presentimiento y terminas teniendo un corazón irremediablemente roto al final.
Esto recapitula mi experiencia agridulce al leer Un paseo para recordar.
Nicholas Sparks solía ser un autor demasiado convencional y sobrevalorado para mi gusto. Decidí leer esta novela por un capricho después de ver la película dos veces y quedé devastada por la agonía de Jamie.
Landon es un tipo popular y rico que tiene la costumbre de elegir discretamente a Jamie, la hija del sacerdote que no sabe cómo combinar su ropa, no usa cosméticos y pasa tiempo ayudando a animales heridos, andando con su padre solitario, rezando. Por su comunidad y donando dinero al orfanato. Solo cuando Landon no tiene más remedio que pedirle a Jamie que vaya a la fiesta de graduación, comienzan a acercarse lentamente. Se embarcan en el viaje más hermoso y corto que está a punto de terminar, incluso antes de que comience, cuando Jamie anuncia su enfermedad a Landon.
En contraste con la película, la novela está narrada por Landon. Entrar en la cabeza de Landon es la técnica narrativa más práctica dada su falta de atención a la muerte de Jamie, lo que mantiene el interés de los lectores. De esa manera, el misterio llamado Jamie se desarrolla gradualmente ante nuestros ojos y cuando deja que el gato salga de la bolsa, toda su rareza y peculiaridades se decodifican.
Landon es un personaje que madura mucho a lo largo de la novela (Al decirle que se ve obligado a pasar tiempo con ella y la ve como una carga, me dio una necesidad incontrolable e incontenible de lanzarle algo con fuerza). Sin embargo, su angustia emocional lo llevó a cambiar y lo marcó por la vida compensado por lo horrible de sus prejuicios contra Jamie al principio de la historia. (La llamada de Landon a la puerta de su padre y suplicándole que salvara a Jamie, teniendo en cuenta el hecho de que habían transcurrido años sin que hablaran, fue una de las escenas más poderosas de la película que no se destacó en la novela).
Jamie era una heroína no tan hermosa que tenía una cruz pesada que soportar. Sin embargo, ella insistió en mirar el lado positivo por su fe, lo único que le quedaba. (Su decadencia casi al final cuando su enfermedad se agravó y ni siquiera podía moverse sin analgésicos fue un golpe en el estomago).
No puedo elegir entre el libro y la película. Ambos eran tristes a pesar de las ligeras diferencias entre ellos.
Te diriges hacia una calamidad sin precedentes. Tienes una vaga premonición de los restos emocionales que sufrirás en un instante. Sin embargo, vas en contra de tu mal presentimiento y terminas teniendo un corazón irremediablemente roto al final.
Esto recapitula mi experiencia agridulce al leer Un paseo para recordar.
Nicholas Sparks solía ser un autor demasiado convencional y sobrevalorado para mi gusto. Decidí leer esta novela por un capricho después de ver la película dos veces y quedé devastada por la agonía de Jamie.
Landon es un tipo popular y rico que tiene la costumbre de elegir discretamente a Jamie, la hija del sacerdote que no sabe cómo combinar su ropa, no usa cosméticos y pasa tiempo ayudando a animales heridos, andando con su padre solitario, rezando. Por su comunidad y donando dinero al orfanato. Solo cuando Landon no tiene más remedio que pedirle a Jamie que vaya a la fiesta de graduación, comienzan a acercarse lentamente. Se embarcan en el viaje más hermoso y corto que está a punto de terminar, incluso antes de que comience, cuando Jamie anuncia su enfermedad a Landon.
En contraste con la película, la novela está narrada por Landon. Entrar en la cabeza de Landon es la técnica narrativa más práctica dada su falta de atención a la muerte de Jamie, lo que mantiene el interés de los lectores. De esa manera, el misterio llamado Jamie se desarrolla gradualmente ante nuestros ojos y cuando deja que el gato salga de la bolsa, toda su rareza y peculiaridades se decodifican.
Landon es un personaje que madura mucho a lo largo de la novela (Al decirle que se ve obligado a pasar tiempo con ella y la ve como una carga, me dio una necesidad incontrolable e incontenible de lanzarle algo con fuerza). Sin embargo, su angustia emocional lo llevó a cambiar y lo marcó por la vida compensado por lo horrible de sus prejuicios contra Jamie al principio de la historia. (La llamada de Landon a la puerta de su padre y suplicándole que salvara a Jamie, teniendo en cuenta el hecho de que habían transcurrido años sin que hablaran, fue una de las escenas más poderosas de la película que no se destacó en la novela).
Jamie era una heroína no tan hermosa que tenía una cruz pesada que soportar. Sin embargo, ella insistió en mirar el lado positivo por su fe, lo único que le quedaba. (Su decadencia casi al final cuando su enfermedad se agravó y ni siquiera podía moverse sin analgésicos fue un golpe en el estomago).
No puedo elegir entre el libro y la película. Ambos eran tristes a pesar de las ligeras diferencias entre ellos.
October 21, 2011
I'm Rollie... and now leaping over my bounded forte?
Romance is the least among the genres that I craved to try. Instead, I stumbled upon reading this love story book. A risk indeed to read a different genre especially when it exempts among the genres you always thinks about. Thus, it doesn't just take twenty gulps to risk for it but takes time and sweat to decide the dilemma whether to give it a shot or not. Lately, I decided to widen my braced genres and I thought this book is worth the risk to try. So as a love story as this title represents, I'm afraid that the further words I will emancipate may loosen up the tightness of the statement I previously, in my reviews, professed.
I was sure then before I tried that I wouldn't like this book, though I was in the mood to read this kind of book. The moment I fixed my eyes onto the surface of the first page of the book's prologue, my feet as if set foot onto the world of what I was reading. I became the main character himself. Marvelous really it is to say how amazing the approach of the main character's perspective to me as a reader. Truly effective. A perfect thing to add up is that the perspective used in the story is from guy's character, considering that it gives perfect justice to how a guy thinks, utters, and acts.
The story composes of just simple elements: The typical story of ugly duckling that turns into swan; typical story of a jerk guy who fell in love to the swan; and a typical story of a man who'll do anything for love. The magic of how it turned out to be good is the summation of all those factors. Moreover, Sparks really used the overused concepts perfectly during the shifting of events, which of course a positive move for the book to become better.
I'm told that the movie is way better than the book. Granted, for I am one of those unfortunates who haven't watched the movie yet. Yes, I did not itch to watch the movie the moment it had been shown in cinemas nor did I eagerly wait for it in movie cable channels. But I'm very much glad, for I think that choosing to read first the book over watching the movie is one way or another, a smart decision.
I honestly admire Sparks for writing down the solid description of Jamie Sullivan, yet unknowingly behind her image is a great mystery. That despite of the best answer a normal person could offer to the reason of her action, there is still hidden truth behind it that alters the nearest possibility.
The greatest thing I liked about this book is the profound messages of the story beyond what are written, though some are already given. I liked how faith works at Jamie, that even though everything has been taken from her, she dignifies how her faith still remains. I was also touched at how simply a very kind person could turn the people oppositely to what they were. There is even presence of the true effects of love, which it leads the in love human to think either sane or insane. And the story, in a way, emphasizes how humans should give attention, importance and deeper understanding on the things that surround them not until it's too late. And the best of all is how faith can bring out the miracle to the surface out of the deepest pit.
I admit that there were many times the book led me on the verge of tears. For I reckon that this book, no matter how cold-hearted I am, is no wonder a heart-moving one.
Romance is the least among the genres that I craved to try. Instead, I stumbled upon reading this love story book. A risk indeed to read a different genre especially when it exempts among the genres you always thinks about. Thus, it doesn't just take twenty gulps to risk for it but takes time and sweat to decide the dilemma whether to give it a shot or not. Lately, I decided to widen my braced genres and I thought this book is worth the risk to try. So as a love story as this title represents, I'm afraid that the further words I will emancipate may loosen up the tightness of the statement I previously, in my reviews, professed.
The life of Landon Carter during 1958 has been brought back by his memories.
Landon is sixteen-year-old senior high student of Beaufort High School, North Carolina. Being a son of congressman, who he rarely see in their house in a year, is normal. Being with his friends Eric and Margaret are even normal for him, for he used to be with them since grade school. But being the Student Body President is another thing, while signing up for Drama Class is definitely not his thing.
Jamie Sullivan is surely the last girl in the world Landon wanted to marry but absolutely not the last girl to ask as a date for the school's homecoming. As Landon's world becomes closer to Jamie's, he'll find a plan he never thought fated for him.
I was sure then before I tried that I wouldn't like this book, though I was in the mood to read this kind of book. The moment I fixed my eyes onto the surface of the first page of the book's prologue, my feet as if set foot onto the world of what I was reading. I became the main character himself. Marvelous really it is to say how amazing the approach of the main character's perspective to me as a reader. Truly effective. A perfect thing to add up is that the perspective used in the story is from guy's character, considering that it gives perfect justice to how a guy thinks, utters, and acts.
The story composes of just simple elements: The typical story of ugly duckling that turns into swan; typical story of a jerk guy who fell in love to the swan; and a typical story of a man who'll do anything for love. The magic of how it turned out to be good is the summation of all those factors. Moreover, Sparks really used the overused concepts perfectly during the shifting of events, which of course a positive move for the book to become better.
I'm told that the movie is way better than the book. Granted, for I am one of those unfortunates who haven't watched the movie yet. Yes, I did not itch to watch the movie the moment it had been shown in cinemas nor did I eagerly wait for it in movie cable channels. But I'm very much glad, for I think that choosing to read first the book over watching the movie is one way or another, a smart decision.
I honestly admire Sparks for writing down the solid description of Jamie Sullivan, yet unknowingly behind her image is a great mystery. That despite of the best answer a normal person could offer to the reason of her action, there is still hidden truth behind it that alters the nearest possibility.
The greatest thing I liked about this book is the profound messages of the story beyond what are written, though some are already given. I liked how faith works at Jamie, that even though everything has been taken from her, she dignifies how her faith still remains. I was also touched at how simply a very kind person could turn the people oppositely to what they were. There is even presence of the true effects of love, which it leads the in love human to think either sane or insane. And the story, in a way, emphasizes how humans should give attention, importance and deeper understanding on the things that surround them not until it's too late. And the best of all is how faith can bring out the miracle to the surface out of the deepest pit.
I admit that there were many times the book led me on the verge of tears. For I reckon that this book, no matter how cold-hearted I am, is no wonder a heart-moving one.
October 2, 2018
“You have to promise you won't fall in love with me.”
You are heading towards an unprecedented calamity. You have a vague premonition of the emotional wreckage you'll suffer in no time at all. Yet you go against your sense of foreboding and end up having an irreparably broken heart at the end.
This recapitulates my bittersweet experience reading A Walk to Remember.
Nicholas Sparks used to be too mainstream and overrated an author for my taste. I decided to read this novel on a whim after watching the movie twice and being devastatingly impacted by Jamie's agony.
Landon is a popular, rich guy who makes a habit of discreetly picking on Jamie, the priest's daughter who does not know how to match her clothes, does not wear any cosmetics and spends time helping wounded animals, hanging around with her lonely father, praying for her community and donating money to the orphanage. Only when Landon is left with no choice but to ask Jamie to prom, do they start slowly getting dangerously close. They embark on the most beautiful, short journey which is about to end before it even started when Jamie announces her sickness to Landon.
In contrast with the movie, the novel is narrated by Landon. Getting inside Landon's head is the most practical narrative technique given his obliviousness to Jamie's dying, which holds readers' interest. In that way the mystery called Jamie is gradually unfolded before our eyes and when she lets the cat out of the bag all her quirkiness and peculiarities are decoded.
Landon is a character who matures a lot throughout the novel. I admit that his consenting to others' patronizing treatment of Jamie, his not wanting to be seen with her and his having a sudden outburst when the reasons for his befriending her are elucidated aggravated me. (His telling her that he is forced to spend time with her and sees her as a burden gave me an uncontrollable, unrestrainable urge to throw something hard at him.) Nevertheless, his emotional heartache which led him to change and scarred him for life compensated for the hideousness of his prejudices against Jamie at the beginning of the story. (Landon's knocking on his father's door and pleading with him to save Jamie, taking into account the fact that years had elapsed without them talking, was one of the most powerful scenes in the movie which was not emphasized in the novel.)
Jamie was an unconventionally beautiful heroine who had a heavy cross to bear. However, she insisted on looking on the bright side because of her faith, the only thing she had left. (Her decay near the end when her sickness was exacerbated and was not even able to move without painkillers was a punch to the gut.)
I cannot choose between the book and the movie. Both were tearjerkers despite the slight differences between them.
As regards the novel, A Walk to Remember is a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching page-turner I am not likely to ever forget.
“It wasn't that long, and it certainly wasn't the kind of kiss you see in movies these days, but it was wonderful in its own way, and all I can remember about the moment is that when our lips touched, I knew the memory would last forever.”
You are heading towards an unprecedented calamity. You have a vague premonition of the emotional wreckage you'll suffer in no time at all. Yet you go against your sense of foreboding and end up having an irreparably broken heart at the end.
This recapitulates my bittersweet experience reading A Walk to Remember.
Nicholas Sparks used to be too mainstream and overrated an author for my taste. I decided to read this novel on a whim after watching the movie twice and being devastatingly impacted by Jamie's agony.
Landon is a popular, rich guy who makes a habit of discreetly picking on Jamie, the priest's daughter who does not know how to match her clothes, does not wear any cosmetics and spends time helping wounded animals, hanging around with her lonely father, praying for her community and donating money to the orphanage. Only when Landon is left with no choice but to ask Jamie to prom, do they start slowly getting dangerously close. They embark on the most beautiful, short journey which is about to end before it even started when Jamie announces her sickness to Landon.
In contrast with the movie, the novel is narrated by Landon. Getting inside Landon's head is the most practical narrative technique given his obliviousness to Jamie's dying, which holds readers' interest. In that way the mystery called Jamie is gradually unfolded before our eyes and when she lets the cat out of the bag all her quirkiness and peculiarities are decoded.
Landon is a character who matures a lot throughout the novel. I admit that his consenting to others' patronizing treatment of Jamie, his not wanting to be seen with her and his having a sudden outburst when the reasons for his befriending her are elucidated aggravated me. (His telling her that he is forced to spend time with her and sees her as a burden gave me an uncontrollable, unrestrainable urge to throw something hard at him.) Nevertheless, his emotional heartache which led him to change and scarred him for life compensated for the hideousness of his prejudices against Jamie at the beginning of the story. (Landon's knocking on his father's door and pleading with him to save Jamie, taking into account the fact that years had elapsed without them talking, was one of the most powerful scenes in the movie which was not emphasized in the novel.)
Jamie was an unconventionally beautiful heroine who had a heavy cross to bear. However, she insisted on looking on the bright side because of her faith, the only thing she had left. (Her decay near the end when her sickness was exacerbated and was not even able to move without painkillers was a punch to the gut.)
I cannot choose between the book and the movie. Both were tearjerkers despite the slight differences between them.
As regards the novel, A Walk to Remember is a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching page-turner I am not likely to ever forget.
“It wasn't that long, and it certainly wasn't the kind of kiss you see in movies these days, but it was wonderful in its own way, and all I can remember about the moment is that when our lips touched, I knew the memory would last forever.”
September 1, 2021
Nicholas Sparks is one of the many favorite authors I have. I have read many of his other novels and instantly fell in love with all of them, so this certainly won't be my last book by Nicholas Sparks. If you have any other recommendations of Nicholas Sparks books that I should read, please feel free to let me know!!!
A Walk To Remember was so heart touching and left a lump in my throat, as I continued to read but also as I finished the story. I knock myself over for waiting so long to read this novel. At first, I wasn't really catching on to the story but then I started reading more and it finally sunk it as to what was happening and made more sense to me. When that normally happens i automatically put the book down, but with A Walk To Remember I couldnt, I just had to keep reading.
A Walk To Remember is told in the point of view of, 17 year old Landon Carter.
Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan are two 17 year olds, seniors in high school. Landon isn't an athlete, he doesn't play any instruments, he doesn't exactly know what he wants to do with his life after high school, so he submits an application to UNC Chapel Hill in North Carolina. Jamie is not what you think of a 17 year old to be, she's such a sweet kind hearted person, loves the bible, loves to help people out even when they're extremely rude to her.
I often found myself a little teary eyed, smiling, and laughing while reading A Walk To Remember, I felt so bad for everything that was happening to Jamie, and wanted to just reach into the book and hug her. At first I thought Landon was a jerk but then the story went on and the things he did, made me change my mind about him. All I can say is that you must read this heartfelt novel.
A Walk To Remember was so heart touching and left a lump in my throat, as I continued to read but also as I finished the story. I knock myself over for waiting so long to read this novel. At first, I wasn't really catching on to the story but then I started reading more and it finally sunk it as to what was happening and made more sense to me. When that normally happens i automatically put the book down, but with A Walk To Remember I couldnt, I just had to keep reading.
A Walk To Remember is told in the point of view of, 17 year old Landon Carter.
Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan are two 17 year olds, seniors in high school. Landon isn't an athlete, he doesn't play any instruments, he doesn't exactly know what he wants to do with his life after high school, so he submits an application to UNC Chapel Hill in North Carolina. Jamie is not what you think of a 17 year old to be, she's such a sweet kind hearted person, loves the bible, loves to help people out even when they're extremely rude to her.
I often found myself a little teary eyed, smiling, and laughing while reading A Walk To Remember, I felt so bad for everything that was happening to Jamie, and wanted to just reach into the book and hug her. At first I thought Landon was a jerk but then the story went on and the things he did, made me change my mind about him. All I can say is that you must read this heartfelt novel.
February 4, 2023
Read this years ago, watched the movie years ago. Re-read this today, re-watched the movie today. Currently sitting with a tub of mint chocolate ice cream, a swollen face, and puffy eyes, unsuccessfully trying to control my runny nose with my chest feeling like somebody just put their hand in and took my heart out - very roughly. I love this book so much. I dont think I cried this much even when I was slapped by my mum five times in a row, nope.
August 22, 2019
A very emotional story that will rip your heart.
I was so engrossed in the book where I was not aware until the story end.
A very touching romance.
I was so engrossed in the book where I was not aware until the story end.
A very touching romance.
April 20, 2008
I only picked up this book from the library because they didn't have the specific books I was looking for in, so I walked through the aisles and randomly selected a few so the trip wasn't a waste. When I saw it on the shelf, I remembered that someone a while ago had recommended that I read it and "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks, and because books are almost always better than the movie versions, I decided to give it a shot.
I actually liked the movie when I saw it. I am a sappy girl like that sometimes. I don't read romance novels, and I don't watch chick flicks like they are going out of style, but Dirty Dancing will always be one of my favourite movies, because I grew up watching it over and over. So, sometimes I fall in love with a sappy story.
In some ways I prefer the movie to the book, which might be only because I had seen it before I read it. I struggled with whether to give it two or three stars, because I felt like it was more than just "ok", it was decent, but when I look back at other books I had given three stars to, I really did not feel like it was on par with them. I would have probably loved this had I read it when I was thirteen or fourteen. Maybe I have gotten more cynical over time, or maybe it's just that I would have related more at that age, I don't know, but as sweet as the storyline was, it just didn't pull on my heartstrings like it clearly was meant to. I know I teared up during the movie, but the book didn't do it for me for some reason. I don't think it was because I already knew what was going to happen - it would have been pretty obvious where it was heading had I not ever seen the movie, and I have re-read books before and still been as touched as the first time. I think it just fell slightly short in capturing the tender moments, and that is where the movie was able to pick it up and elaborate.
I wouldn't recommend it necessarily to anyone, but I also wouldn't suggest to someone that they shouldn't read it. I've definitely read worse.
I actually liked the movie when I saw it. I am a sappy girl like that sometimes. I don't read romance novels, and I don't watch chick flicks like they are going out of style, but Dirty Dancing will always be one of my favourite movies, because I grew up watching it over and over. So, sometimes I fall in love with a sappy story.
In some ways I prefer the movie to the book, which might be only because I had seen it before I read it. I struggled with whether to give it two or three stars, because I felt like it was more than just "ok", it was decent, but when I look back at other books I had given three stars to, I really did not feel like it was on par with them. I would have probably loved this had I read it when I was thirteen or fourteen. Maybe I have gotten more cynical over time, or maybe it's just that I would have related more at that age, I don't know, but as sweet as the storyline was, it just didn't pull on my heartstrings like it clearly was meant to. I know I teared up during the movie, but the book didn't do it for me for some reason. I don't think it was because I already knew what was going to happen - it would have been pretty obvious where it was heading had I not ever seen the movie, and I have re-read books before and still been as touched as the first time. I think it just fell slightly short in capturing the tender moments, and that is where the movie was able to pick it up and elaborate.
I wouldn't recommend it necessarily to anyone, but I also wouldn't suggest to someone that they shouldn't read it. I've definitely read worse.
October 23, 2017
3.5 stars (:
So beautiful :') ..
I have seen the movie many years ago, but I still enjoyed reading this very much❤..
My favourite part here is the part where Landon starts to change..
My only problem was that I felt their love but I couldnt feel their sorrow..
Am I making sense?
Eventhough I really liked this book, I have to say, I had expected a little more when I first started it :( ..
So beautiful :') ..
I have seen the movie many years ago, but I still enjoyed reading this very much❤..
My favourite part here is the part where Landon starts to change..
My only problem was that I felt their love but I couldnt feel their sorrow..
Am I making sense?
Eventhough I really liked this book, I have to say, I had expected a little more when I first started it :( ..
Read
October 5, 2020Landon is a senior in high school and he needs a date for the prom, but he can't find anyone. So he asks the unpopular and religious Jamie, who is in acting class with him. This helps them get to know each other better until Landon falls in love with her. But the young love is facing a hard time, but with the help of God, Landon knows what to do. This is the first book by Nicholas Sparks, that I have read, which is very much about religion and I like it very much and above all it is heartbreaking as always.
April 19, 2020
read in 2004 - read after watching film, first nicholas sparks - better review to come
4 stars
4 stars
January 17, 2016
'It was, I remembered thinking, the most difficult walk anyone ever had to make.
In every way, a walk to remember.'
If I was to shorten the story in one sentence, I'd say A Walk to Remember is the story of bad boy Landon falling in love with sweet and innocent Jamie.
The writing was easy and the plot wasn't too complicated. Some things were also a tad bit cliché but I don't think that anything will ever be new in romance novels anymore.
At first, Landon's character really pissed me off but he grew to be okay. And Jamie was just such a sweetheart I couldn't help but like her.
In my opinion, the story lacked any sense of originality but it was an easy read and enjoyable nevertheless.
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