105 of 114 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Makes you appreciate his novels that much more!, May 26, 2004
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!
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed it., March 28, 2006
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.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lifestyles of the Rich and the Spoiled?, November 26, 2004
Nicholas Sparks made a million dollars off his first novel, "The Notebook." His books have been made into movies. Some might say he lives the charmed life. So why should we care that he got to travel around the world with his brother? Who wants to read about spoiled rich people and their international trots?
This book will convince you to look at others through a new set of glasses. Not only does "Nicky" reveal the wonders and shortfalls of cultures from Cambodia to Easter Island to Norway, he also shows us the heartbreak of his own family. Without revealing all, let me say that he tells a readable tale of his own childhood, spliced in with scenes of his three week journey with his brother. At times, the story is laugh-out loud funny; at others, it is sobering and poignant.
Yes, I may have harbored a bit of envy for Mr. Sparks' "charmed life." Now I harbor feelings of admiration, compassion, and brotherhood. Thank you, Nick, for opening your heart and your life to encourage those of us traveling the same path.
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