Dear John by Nicholas Sparks Book Review

What does it mean to truly love another? 
There was a time in my life when I thought I knew the answer...

After more than two weeks, I was finally able to finish this book...

I don't really know exactly what kept me from finishing it sooner. The story was great, all right. But somehow I just got bored with all the falling in love thing. Or maybe because from the very beginning, it already told how it's going to end. I even thought of not finishing it at all. Night by night, before I sleep, I'll read a chapter or two (it depends if I can keep my eyes from closing). And then I reached the part where John and Savannah were like drifting apart (that was only yesterday), that's the time when the story seemed to sink in. So from this morning up to this very moment, I am drawn into it.

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love—and face the hardest decision of his life.

For those who have already read this, I guess many are hating Savannah for what she did. But I don't.

Sometimes, or most of the time, that's the way love is. One moment it gives you the feeling that it will conquer all, but the next thing you know, it is shattering you.

I've become aware that love doesn't always have a happy ending, and life is not fair.

There would be this one thing that you'll want most in your life but no matter how hard you fight for it, fate won't give it to you.

I'm not saying that I can relate with Savannah, or with John. I simply understand them. If they indeed wanted to conquer all, whatever it was that happened to them wouldn't happen. Some things are possible, if you really want it. But sometimes, what you want is not the right thing to do. You have to make choices. And then there is also the fact that things change, and people too.

I know what it feels to be left for someone else. Anger, sadness, denial, shock, regret. Eventually, you will get on with your life, yet at times you will still feel that there's something missing. In time, you may say that you've moved on, but when you see that person, you'll seem to forget the long time that passed, for the memories would always be clear like it had just happened yesterday.

***

I like the book not only because of the love story between John and Savannah, but because of John's relationship with his father.

And what do I like about Nicholas Sparks?

He gives us a picture of what love is, not only romantic love, but love in general.

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also available: Dear John Kindle Edition