The Notebook (The Notebook, #1) in 2013 Nicholas Sparks Challenge (from Debra's Book Cafe)

Sep 30, 2008 Tina Rae rated it really liked it

I always forget how much I, well, don't really enjoy this book until I read it again. It's one of those stories that you love and feel that you know so well that when you pick up the book and find it so different from the world you know, you feel like you've jumped into a pond you assumed to be warm but the water turned out ice cold.

It's not that I don't love this story. Don't get me wrong, I do. It's just that the book feels as though it's missing a few crucial pieces. I don't know if it's beca I always forget how much I, well, don't really enjoy this book until I read it again. It's one of those stories that you love and feel that you know so well that when you pick up the book and find it so different from the world you know, you feel like you've jumped into a pond you assumed to be warm but the water turned out ice cold.

It's not that I don't love this story. Don't get me wrong, I do. It's just that the book feels as though it's missing a few crucial pieces. I don't know if it's because I watched the movie first all those years ago, the first time I fell head first into the world of Nicholas Sparks of if it's just because this book is short and quickly gets you where you need to go.

But, honestly, I feel like this story has a middle and that's it. I wish this book had been 400 pages instead of just 200 so it could've gone into the background of Noah and Allie's first summer. Honestly, THAT'S what I would've rather read about. Granted, I do like the ending and the detail it gives to Noah and Allie's later years. I fell like the movie just touched on that.

Mostly, though, I DO NOT like the way the story just ends and you learn just how Allie chose which love to succumb to through the grapevine, so to speak. Learning through a letter was not my idea of a good way to find out how that story ends. I guess I just wanted more. It's such a great story, it didn't deserve to be so skimped over.

So, I guess I'll come out and say what I've really been getting at this whole time. I like the movie better. I'm sorry to say it. I really am. But I feel like the movie is a complete story. The book is just bits and pieces that the movie threaded together.

But, because this is still the greatest love story of all time, that's strangely alright. I think this story comes as a package. It's not just a book and it's not just a movie. Only together do you get the full picture. As a stand alone book, without the movie as a reference, this might have been okay. But, as things stand now, I think you really need both. In the great war that is the movie vs the book, I think these two find a kind of harmony. I honestly feel that they, strangely, work together. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 03, 2011 Shubba The Emo Reader rated it liked it · review of another edition

My friend loaned me her copy of this book and I was excited to read it. Having being totally in love with movie. I had real high hope. However, I was slightly disappointed.

The Notebook is a love story about a man and woman who after fourteen years apart are reunited and fall in love all over again. Seems like a great premise for a love story. However, it just doesn't come across as believable. The characters lacked the passion that you would expected from this love story. Noah, comes over a bit ...more

Like · see review

Jun 30, 2010 Debra K rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own-read, favourite-books

Check out my review below:

Debra's Book Cafe

Debs :-) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 12, 2012 Gaia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, status-owned, genre-contemporary-fiction, status-rating-high

The Notebook is a beautiful, romantic love story. It makes you realise how precious the people you love, are (as good love stories do). The story follows Noah and Allie in their love for each other. It is not told chronologically. It's an easy to read story and not that long, that could be a plus to some people. ...more

Like · see review