As moving as his bestselling works of fiction, Nicholas Sparks's unique memoir, written with his brother, chronicles the life-affirming journey of two brothers bound by memories, both humorous and tragicIn January 2003, Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, set off on a three-week trip around the globe. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at thirty-seven and thirty-eight respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. Against the backdrop of the wonders of the world and often overtaken by their feelings, daredevil Micah and the more serious, introspective Nicholas recalled their rambunctious childhood adventures and the tragedies that tested their faith. And in the process, they discovered startling truths about loss, love, and hope.Narrated with irrepressible humor and rare candor, and including personal photos, THREE WEEKS WITH MY BROTHER reminds us to embrace life with all its uncertainties...and most of all, to cherish the joyful times, both small and momentous, and the wonderful people who make them possible.
Three Weeks with My Brother
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
When bestselling author Sparks (The Notebook; Message in a Bottle; etc.) receives a brochure offering a three-week trip around the world, it's not hard for him to persuade Micah, his older brother, to join him in touring Guatemala's Mayan ruins, Peru's Incan temples, Easter Island, the killing fields in Cambodia, the Taj Mahal and Ethiopian rock cathedrals. His account of the trip is refreshingly honest and perceptive. At each stop, the brothers, both deeply committed to their families, cover the crucial moments in a life full of familial love and tragedy: Nick's role as the middle child always feeling left out; his marriage in 1989; the loss of Nick and Micah's mother two months later after a horseback riding accident; the death of Nick's first baby and the physical problems of his second son; the death of their father in a car accident; and the passing of their younger sister from a brain tumor. As the brothers travel together through these mythical sites and share candid thoughts, they find themselves stunned by fate's turns, realizing that a peaceful moment may be shattered at any time. Weaving in vignettes of tenderness and loss with travelogue-like observations, Sparks's account shows how he and his brother both evolved on this voyage. "Somehow there was a chance we could help each other, and in that way, I began to think of the trip less as a journey around the world than a journey to rediscover who I was and how I'? developed the way I did."
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Who wouldn't want to go on a trip around the world? When best-selling novelist Sparks receives a travel brochure from his alma mater, Notre Dame, he thinks, "If not now, then when?" and asks his brother to join him. They both have family obligations, but this sounds like the trip of a lifetime, and as the reader soon finds out, they both need to relax. As they journey to faraway places, the brothers reminisce about their unusual childhood. Instead of the idealistic life readers may imagine, their early years were marked by poverty, although redeemed by their mother's great love. Their father was a graduate student working several jobs to support the family, and the boys, best friends as well as brothers, led an independent life filled with adventure, derring-do, and responsibilities beyond their years. This is a rare opportunity for readers to get to know a favorite author as Nicholas reveals the inspirations for his fiction. A must-read for Sparks fans as well as a treat for those who want to find out what makes a family strong. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 132 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
To begin with, I have to say that Nicholas Sparks is my absolute favorite author. I am usually one of the first in line to purchase his books on the day of their release. I go home and "gobble" it up as fast as I can, then am disappointed for the other 364 days of the year until his next novel is released. I've always wished he would release more than one novel in a one year period, and was thrilled when he began releasing twice a year. Sadly, this is the last year for that, and next year I will go on yearning for a Nicholas Sparks book for a little more than 11 months of the year!
That said, after reading his memoir, I can now understand why he only publishes only once a year, and appreciate his work that much more. His family comes first, and although he loves to write and is honored by his readers' attention & devotion, he simply does not want to spend any less time with his family than he absolutely must. In order to fulfill this need, we as readers must savor the books we are given, and anxiously await his next delicious read.
I was deeply touched by the relationship Nicholas has with his brother. Being the only surviving members of the Sparks family, they have a deep bond, and their admiration and love for one another is obvious in the words on the pages, and even in the smallest of photos in the book. It most certainly deserves the attention this book calls to it, and I can only imagine that some of the readers whose views are printed here must be envious of this bond, lacking the love & support of their families, which the Sparks brothers so deeply cherish.
If you know anything about Nicholas Sparks and read the book's jacket, you must certainly know that this is NOT a travel book! The trip around the world only serves as a setting for the brothers to reminisce and share the stories of their childhood and the roads they led, and how the effects of these events shaped their lives & made them into the successful, respected men they have grown to be. The trip around the world was a celebration of sorts, for these two brothers who have shared the most painful experiences two brothers can share, yet carried on and persevered. The book was not written to describe the places they saw and encourage others to visit these places. The trip served as inspiration for Nicholas to share HIS STORY, demonstrating to others that you can survive life's most painful experiences with the love & support of family.
If you knew anything about this book beforehand, you also know that the book was written entirely by Nicholas, and Micah was included because of his inspiration, and how Nicholas' admiration for his brother led him to share their story!! Although Nicholas did all the writing, this story is as much Micah's as it is Nicholas', and both brothers are deserving of its credit.
Although the book is a memoir, Mr. Sparks remains true to his craft, and at times, you may think you are reading his next novel, and forget that these events actually happened to one family. It is because of these events, we as readers have been treated to wonderful, endearing stories of love, courage, strength and the bonds of family. We can truly appreciate the love & connection of Noah & Allie, understand why Jamie was so forgiving, strong & courageous, and see just how difficult is must have been for Denise to bring words to the lips of Kyle. The characters of Sparks' novels have been mostly inspired by members of his family, and it because of the tragic events of his life, we as readers have been treated, and come to love novels like THE NOTEBOOK, MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE, A WALK TO REMEMBER, THE RESCUE and THE WEDDING.
I anxiously await the release of Sparks' newest novel this fall, and while I'm still disappointed that I will again have to wait an entire year for his next book, I can now understand why I have to wait, and it only makes me more appreciative of his work, and treasure all of his stories that much more.
Thank you Nicholas - for opening your heart, inviting us in, and sharing your life. You will always be my favorite, and your memoir has only made me cherish your writing that much more!
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Tom Hennigan
Format:Hardcover
Like the other reviewer, I picked the book up on a whim at the airport. It was an easy read but also an emotional one. Mr. Sparks talks about the importance of balance in one's life - Between family, work, friends etc. And that if one becomes all encompassing, then your life becomes out of sync and out of balance. He also talks about the importance of family, and as he discusses the loss of his parents and sister, it reminded me that although my wife and kids are the focal point of my life, that I've been letting the relationship with my siblings pass me by, and that you never know when they will be taken away, and then it's too late.
A very good book with a simple but yet also complex point.
A very good book with a simple but yet also complex point.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By George
Format:Audio CD
This is one of the most wonderful, inspirational, and moving books that I have read. At first, I didn't realize that the authors were Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook and Message In A Bottle, among other best selling books, and his brother. I hope this doesn't give anything away except that I am kinda dumb when it comes to remembering authors and titles. The book is really an autobiography covering Nick and his entire family. He covers their many trials and tribulations and still manages to see the good that came out of what for me and others, I suppose, would be absolutely devastating and horrible things to happen. The descriptions of his family members, especially his wife, are outstanding and again food for thought and inspiration. We see how ordinary people can be extraordinary when you know them better.
I listened to this book on CD while driving alone to and from Florida and in a pretty deep depression not being helped much by medications. The CD was really selected because of the travel theme. I love individual travelogues that have a literary and philosophical point of view and have visions of writing something similar myself.
While Three Weeks With My Brother could easily be depressing to some, especially like me, suffering from severe depression and still grieving for a loved one, I found it to be both sad and uplifting as Nick and his brother talked out their life, including the ups and downs. They spoke from the vantage point of both being on what anyone would say is a material up, but they carried with them memories of severe tragedies in their lives, mostly brought about through their unusually strong family ties and love.
I feel the CD edition might be better than the print version since the narrator is so good and the book is both interior thoughts of the author and many conversations. I wondered if they were recorded or all taken from notes, but they were certainly believable.
Anyone facing tough times in their personal life should read this book or listen to the audio. You will be inspired, I feel, if you go to the end. You might be inspired, as I have been, to try once again to take a long trip to think over and contemplate my life. Now I do this in the dead of night at home, making my neighbors think I am either a recluse or some type of secret agent.
I listened to this book on CD while driving alone to and from Florida and in a pretty deep depression not being helped much by medications. The CD was really selected because of the travel theme. I love individual travelogues that have a literary and philosophical point of view and have visions of writing something similar myself.
While Three Weeks With My Brother could easily be depressing to some, especially like me, suffering from severe depression and still grieving for a loved one, I found it to be both sad and uplifting as Nick and his brother talked out their life, including the ups and downs. They spoke from the vantage point of both being on what anyone would say is a material up, but they carried with them memories of severe tragedies in their lives, mostly brought about through their unusually strong family ties and love.
I feel the CD edition might be better than the print version since the narrator is so good and the book is both interior thoughts of the author and many conversations. I wondered if they were recorded or all taken from notes, but they were certainly believable.
Anyone facing tough times in their personal life should read this book or listen to the audio. You will be inspired, I feel, if you go to the end. You might be inspired, as I have been, to try once again to take a long trip to think over and contemplate my life. Now I do this in the dead of night at home, making my neighbors think I am either a recluse or some type of secret agent.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Three Weeks with My Brother
An amazing trip around the world becomes the foil for a heartfelt remembrance of the author's relationship with his siblings and strange and endearing parents. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very honest.
I respect Mr. Sparks but I'm more a fan of non-fiction, so when I saw this book I was intrigued. He is honest and humorous, and I appreciated the insight that his books are based... Read more
Published 12 days ago by G. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend.
Being a Nicholas Sparks fan, it was very interesting to read about his relationships with his family and the actics of his childhood.
Published 15 days ago by Carl F.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Three weeks with my brother.
LOVE this very moving open and honest look into Nicholas sparks life. A definite Nicholas fan favorite read. Two thumbs up.
Published 20 days ago by Brenda Greer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read
This book was a great journey. Not only did Nicholas Sparks and his brother wrote in great detail about their journey across the world, but they also wrote about their past... Read more
Published 20 days ago by avidreader
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for everyone who ever had a brother!
This is a great book with lots of insight into family dynamics. I like most everything Nicholas Sparks writes but this could be my favorite!
Published 22 days ago by Anne Bready
5.0 out of 5 stars
My new favorite book
This book helped me in ways that are hard to express. We lost a loved one and are trying to cope.Its easy to look at a good looking , young, successful guy and think life has been... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Penny Dupont
5.0 out of 5 stars
The real Nicholas Sparks
I had read perhaps six or seven of Sparks books before I read Three Weeks with My Brother. I had often wondered where he'd gotten his inspiration to write these books. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Sheila Urling
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
I wasn't sure I would like this book since it was non-fiction. But I was wrong. I am mad at myself for letting it be one of his last books I read! This book is a must read.
Published 27 days ago by Sourbonk
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book for fans
This was an interesting story of the adventures Nicholas had with his brother. Good book for an avid Nicholas Sparks follower.
Published 1 month ago by J. Sharkey
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