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The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook

by Nicholas Sparks
  • Critics' Consensus:
  • Readers' Rating:
  • First Published:
  • Oct 1, 1996, 214 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Dec 1999, 226 pages
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Reviews

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There are currently 124 reader reviews for The Notebook
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Jacinda

The Notebook Review
The notebook is a love story by Nicholas Sparks. It’s told in many different ways; when they are old, teenagers, and in their 30’s. It’s about a young girl named Allie, who comes from a very wealthy, and some would say stuck up, family who falls in love with Noah. Noah came from a lower class family, and there was a problem with her parents.
The two main characters are Allie Nelson and Nah Calhoun. Allie is an elderly woman who lives in a retirement home and has Alzheimer’s. Noah is also an elderly man who works there and tries to help his precious wife Allie, remember him again.
There are two major conflicts, one being described as past tense and one in present time. The first conflict in present time was when the old version of Allie suffers from Alzheimer’s so she can’t remember her past, present, or he hopeful husband. Her husband is known to her as just some random guy, but to him, she is his prized possession. Noah tries to get her to remember their life together by reading the story of their lives they wrote together. Unfortunately, it takes almost all day for her to remember, if she even does. The other conflict is after Allie’s parents broke them up when they were teenagers; she fell in love with him again when she went to see him 14 years later. The only problem was she was engaged. She was forced to choose between the two guys she loved. She obviously chose Noah because their loved stayed together even through not talking for 14 years.
The theme of this story to me personally, was two things. One, that even when people have a serious disease as Allie did, anything is possible. The other theme I got from this book is that if you love someone, you shouldn’t let anyone, including your family break you two up. And if it’s meant to be, it will happen.
In my opinion, I think this was an inspirational, good book. It was just like Disney fairytales, but more realistic. Noah was no prince charming, he didn’t have millions of dollars or nice things, but it could really happen. I recommend this book for girls more than boys.
Danz

LOVE IT
The notebook is a wonderfull book as a student we have to read many books and most of this seems as a chore but i loved this book and it pulled me in right from the start, i couldn't stop reading it. The plot is so classical but is written in a new way. I love it!
Krissy

Good
I think this book is a great love story, but I am not much on reading and I do not enjoy book inwhich I feel like I am reading, but the words just skim through my mind, and do not really grab me at all. I felt this way reading this book, but over all i geuss it's good.
jackie

the notebook
This book is one of the best love stories I've read.
Safina

I thought The Notebook was a realistic story and it was really visual with the intimacy that Noah and Allie share, the letters, and the poems which helps really feel what they were feeling. It was really touching and any girl would love to have someone love them the way he loved her. He still felt the same about her even when they were really old. It was true love.- (19yrs old)
No Angel

I'm picky with my 5's, but The Notebook is a great book--definitely the best by Nicholas Sparks. His other titles are too sappy and formulaic. This one is good, though. A very touching read. Very romantic. If you want to believe that true love exists, and that it can overcome everything, even the frailties of human memory, then read this book. It might even make you cry a bit.
Tessa

The book was overall, good. I might even rate it a 3.5. Nicholas Sparks is a timeless writer, who has written many books luminous with aspiration, imagery, and allusion. I was quite disapointed however, after completeing this novel. Maybe it was attributed to the high praises it received, raising my standards. I did not think it was as well written as his other stories, although it captures the essence of love, hope, and "forever." The plot of the story is beautiful, but I feel as though it was a bit "choppy" and unorganized. None the less, it was a good book--not great. Good. His other books are good reads too. Try Karen Kingsburry as well.
Benster

From where she talked to Lon it turned to the old folks home. from a 15 year olds point of view. This was to fast a switch.The neding was depressing but overall the book was ok.

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