There’s been nothing unpredictable about it. I knew the climax would always make me cry, since thats the one thing Nicolas Sparks’ books did best. I didn’t feel it as touching or compelling as his earlier classics ‘THE NOTEBOOK’ or ‘A WALK TO REMEMBER’, but since gloom has forever been my favorite themes to read and write about I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Add to it, the inevitably depressing theme of love, and the novel was sure to be an absolute tear-jerker…..
The book’s eye-catching, particularly because of the interesting title. I have never fantasised that kind of a thing – I put a letter into a bottle, cork it and throw it into the sea, hoping someone would find it and come searching. I am certain I’d never do such a thing – I’ll just keep wondering where the message’s drifted along to, and hope at every doorbell, that its a reply, despite being certain otherwise. I might even die of the suspense. No exaggerations here………
The 2 central characters of the story – the love-lost guy who sends the message and the divorced woman who receives it – happen to meet and eventually, as expected, fall in love. And like I mentioned, the story moves along predictable lines. The initial passion of love and lust – which had long been missing from their lives and their memories together eventually lead to a promise of togetherness and commitment from both sides. And one fine day, when she cant turn up for a weekend, due to unforeseen circumstances, the initial spark develops between them. Quarrels, fights, anger, despair, madness, sorrow all follow and the guy ultimately realises that she’s aware of the letters that he’s bottled and thrown into the sea. A sense of betrayal engulfs him and from then on, it is totally tragic and saddening. It left me thinking of the past and left me pondering ‘WHAT IF……….’
In the end, the book is good, in fact, very good if you like being engrossed in gloom all around you. The most touching part in the entire book, I felt by far, were the letters sent by him to his deceased wife. Credit to Sparks there, he’s penned those lines splendidly, and I can bet a lot of thought has gone into picking the right words. Each of the 5 letters is heart-touching – the pain the writer experiences, is obvious. For me, the letters are the trumpcards in what is otherwise, a not-so-special book.
And yes, personally, there are memories as well. It would be wrong to say that I can compare with the passionate, lovelost hero but most times, I can comprehend the situation and understand it well enough. I have had similarly painful experiences, which ultimately leave me thinking…..’ONLY IF I’D ACTED OTHERWISE…..’
The book as a whole is touching and endearing. A must-read, if you’ve fallen in love sometime in your life………
