A Walk to Remember

During this week I read a new romance book, A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks, which is also a motion picture. It is a story about love, faith, and hope.

Unlike the movie, the novel is set in 1958 following the growing relationship of Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan. While reading this book, I felt like it was less of a romance book and more of a coming-of-age type of book. I'm not saying that they don't fall in love but the protagonist, Landon, is trying to deal with himself and his behavior. Jamie reveals to Landon his hurtful ways and shows a side of her that he rarely sees in anyone else, which changes him. It's is one of the many cliched books about a sinner who falls in love with a saint. I think that the portrayal of Landon gives readers a reason to change as well. Landon is shown as a good student and son but most of the time he doesn't care about his own life and is just doing what he needs to do to get by. Little by little, Landon is brought into self-awarement and is brought back to reality, which changes his outlook in life to be more mature, selfless, and kind.

Some say that movie adaptations of the original book is worse because it doesn't show many details. In this case, it is difficult to judge and criticize because they are set in different eras where people's clothes, actions, and speeches are different. The plot is altered but in terms of literary elements, the directors try to follow them as perfectly as possible.

I would have to say that reading this book was a little disappointing to me, because the events felt slow and boring, like nothing was going to happen, besides Jamie telling Landon that she has Lukemia. But since I saw the movie first, it would make more sense for me to like the movie more than the actual novel. I would suggest this book to people who love a good cliche teenage romance and who also didn't see the movie.