Customer Reviews

Oliver's Story

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I loved this book. I was happy to read about he tried to move on and give Marcie a chance... But, I loved the idea that no one could and would ever replace Jenny.

However, in addition to Oliver's and Jenny's love, an important part of this book was the relationship between Oliver and his father, the realization of his love and respect for him, which Jenny had also wanted. That enriched the ending somehow, and gave some kind of purpose to Oliver's life for the future...

After reading Love Story, I wasn't sure how I was gonna like Olivers Story. And to tell you the truth, the book was kinda slow at times and I even skipped a few paragraphs. But trust Erich Segal to make the readers sit right up and concentrate on each word. The last few pages of the book make it well worth reading. Especially the last line of the book almost made me cry (since I'm never "moved" by touchy-feely romantic stories). In a sense, Olivers Story is sadder and more realistic than Love Story.

I did not want to read "Oliver's Story" at first. I liked "Love Story" but did not think it was all that great and never cared very much for Jenny. I heard from big "Love Story" fans that "Oliver's Story" was worse than the original. I waited a year to read it, but then I took it and "Love Story" out of the library and read both within hours. My opinion: I love "Oliver's Story"! Much more than "Love Story".

I liked Oliver in "Love Story" but I fell in love with him in "Oliver's Story". He became a much more real character and someone you would want to know. Although, as I said before, I never liked Jenny all that much, I thought, at first, that it was too soon for Oliver to be involved with someone else. But as I started reading about his encounter and subsequent relationship with Marcie I was more understanding. I actually liked Marcie in the beginning. Oliver needed someone who was different in personality, looks and background from Jenny. The later revelation about Marcie did not shock me a bit: I expected it. How could have I expected it if I liked Marcie? Explanation: Marcie's and Oliver's relationship was doomed from the beginning. Even if Marcie turned out to be wonderful, Oliver could not have ended up with her. For one, he needed a transitional other. Also, he needed to realize that he could not recreate with anyone what he and Jenny shared and never have the same kind of love again. Oliver's disillusionment with Marcie was always foreshadowed because there is only one person for Oliver who can never lose his love and respect: Jenny. The fact that Oliver found out something murky about Marcie is almost symbolic because he did not have to find something horrible about her to realize that Marcie or any other woman would never measure up to Jenny.

This book's ending made me cry the way in which "Love Story's" ending never could although it seems to be the sadder of the two. "Oliver's Story" brings home the sad truth with which "Love Story" ended: Jenny was Oliver's destiny and with her death he has no destiny. Jenny and Oliver had the perfect love, not that it was smooth or extremely romantic, but that they loved and were loved completely. Oliver will not be able to love anyone else completely and, since the mystery of life lies in love, this is the greatest tragedy of all. If Segal chose to have a happy ending for Oliver, it would have cheapen his story. It would have been the easy way out. This ending is still hopeful because Oliver, for however briefly, had the love of his life which enabled him to improve his life and himself. For in "Oliver's Story", Oliver is a better person than he was in "Love Story" and that is not all due to the author's improved writing talents.

"Oliver's Story" managed to recreate Jenny in the reader's mind as the ideal for Oliver. This was not evident in "Love Story" and that is why I recommend to everyone to read "Oliver's Story" first. In fact, by itself, it is a tramendous book. "Oliver's Story" goes deeper into the soul of Oliver and helps him come to terms with a grim but true reality which brings tears to readers' eyes. An amazing effort!

I read Love Story over and over and over as a young teen. I still read it often today. For years though I sat with my mother's original version- lime green hardback- never knowing there was a sequel until I stumbled on it at a flea market with my mom and aunt. They were shocked to find that I did not know about it- knowing how much I loved "Love Story". My aunt prepared me for disappointment....but she was wrong.

Oliver's story is a gut-wrenching story about the pain and the empty life we often lead after a loved one leaves us too soon. Oliver's Story has no pretense of a happily ever after, and does not leave you with the rain clouds departing. Oliver lives the life we all might lead, absent the glowing Hollywood ending. He struggles a lot in this book, and although you are tragically sad for him, you know the ending is right.

I liked this just a little better than "Love Story" because I thought the characters, especially Oliver, were more fleshed out. When Oliver starts to see a psychiatrist to help him deal with Jenny's death, we're able to get into his head and understand his motiviations much better. I found the ending quite sad and maybe a bit overly pessimistic, but it felt real nonetheless.

This book is more than just the romance between Oliver and Jenny that was the focus in Love Story. This book goes deeper into Oliver's character, how he felt on the inside about his relationships - Jenny, his father (this part I enjoyed a lot). If you liked Love Story, you will love this one too.

The book was slow paced and boring. Was a very big let down especially considering how god Love Story was. Don't read it!

Once in a blue moon I pick up an old paperback and think, I've read this before or I've seen the movie made from this book, but something grabs me and I find myself hitting the recliner for a swift afternoon read, probably when it's raining to beat hell outside and I can't find anything else to do for a "change-of-mood". A good book always fixes that for me. I was a big fan of "LOVE STORY", but I really enjoyed Segal's follow-up and Oliver's life after losing Jenny. I think it's when I got to the end and read Oliver's opinion of the "sweat shops" in China, realizing now just how many of the U.S. jobs have gone in that direction, that I guess I wished I hadn't even read the book. Segal can't help it, but the U.S. is in a mess and it's largely because of this situation. Maybe the next time I pick up an old paperback, I'll try to remember a little closer what the entire story was about. Other than that, Segal never failed to write a good one, or if he has, I haven't had the chance to read it yet.

This book isn't quite as good as Love Story. However the main character, Oliver, is still incredibly likeable and it makes for a good quick read.

Its a nice book, cant give it 5 because its a sequel to the greatest book ever written... Love Story!!