Week 2: Safe Haven

[alisonwonderland (Alison)]

I listened to Safe Haven on CD during 2011, and I didn't read it again this year. I did like it. I thought the portrayal of the abusive relationship was chilling and the second-chance romance was sweet.

Nakia wrote: "Has anyone ever seen Sleeping With Enemy, the Julia Roberts movie? I think Safe Haven has already been made...."

It's been a very long time since I've seen 'Sleeping with the Enemy' - so maybe that's why I never made the connection in my mind. I suspect I'll look for 'Safe Haven' on DVD later this year.

I've read several of Nicholas Sparks' books, and I've seen a few of the movie adaptations. I really loved the film version of The Notebook although I was bothered by the change in the ending. I was very disappointed by the changes in the film version of Nights in Rodanthe. It'll be interesting to see how close to the text this film turns out.

[Carla]

Oh there's a movie coming out already??? Didn't know that!! I assumed this was the newest NS book!

[Catherine]

Carla wrote: "Oh there's a movie coming out already??? Didn't know that!! I assumed this was the newest NS book!"

It actually came out 2 years ago; just out now in paperback and movie coming out in February

[Cherylanne]

Usually not a NS fan because, even though I read a lot of ROmSus and ROm in general, his don't seem "original". However, like the idea and need a book that is easily available. RIght now this one is essentially wallpaper everywhere you go. Best to all xxoocf

[[deleted user]]

Carla wrote: "Oh there's a movie coming out already??? Didn't know that!! I assumed this was the newest NS book!"

Hi Carla,
Safe Haven is coming out in theaters on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. I can't wait to watch it. I agree that the plot is very similar as Sleeping With The Enemy. However, Safe Haven modifies it with more romance than plenty of suspense and thriller. Wishing you all the best!

[Carla]

My thoughts on Safe Haven:

I found the first part of the book very tedious and predictable, cringe worthy even. The romance, the perfect dad, the perfect kids etc…
I agree that the best thing about the book was Kevin, he was completely insane but very well written by Sparks.
Was not expecting the final twist, very well played, kinda difficult to comprehend but well it’s a novel.
The book does feel a bit Sleeping with the enemy…same basic plot.
Also, I just saw the trailer for the movie coming out and that looked terrible, immediately saw some differences from the book not even mentioning the actress playing Katie\Erin being blond, and the actor playing Alex not having grey hair.

[[deleted user]]

Carla wrote: "My thoughts on Safe Haven:

I found the first part of the book very tedious and predictable, cringe worthy even. The romance, the perfect dad, the perfect kids etc…
I agree that the best thing abo..."

Hi Carla,
I agree with you completely regarding the casting for the movie. With the trailer alone, I'm having a hard time connecting the cast with the characters. I'm hoping watching the movie will change my perspective. We have to wait for another 2 weeks. Wishing you all the best!

[Cherylanne]

These comments are going to make me seem an ultimate grouch but I really am enjoying this group. Please keep that in mind when I lean back and holler from the roof tops THIS WAS THE WORST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! I actually threw it across the room at the wall last night at midnight when I finished it. The ending made me feel like a complete idiot. Here I am believing and then I just get played like a fool. It will be a very cold day in a very warm place before I read old NS again. xxoocf

[Donna Jo]

Cherylanne wrote: "These comments are going to make me seem an ultimate grouch but I really am enjoying this group. Please keep that in mind when I lean back and holler from the roof tops THIS WAS THE WORST BOOK I H..."

Cherylanne, I almost agree with you. I just finished the book last night and stomped all the way upstairs to bed muttering. I kept expecting to see a caped villain saying "You must pay the rent!"

[Angelica]

This was only the second book I've read by Nicolas Sparks. I'm glad to say that I enjoyed this book, and it was different than the other novel of his (the Notebook, before Ryan Gosling hehe). I was a little surprised how the storyline with Jo played out in the book and I am interested to see how this is written into the screenplay. I will probably see the movie since I read the book already. I would recommend it, it was a good read.

[Laura]

Kevin is a character so foul that it would be hard to understand his twisted motivations, or even want to, but not in the hands of such a skilled storyteller. The Bible-quoting batterer is a conflicted, believable, powder-keg. I found myself wincing at every turn of the page expecting Kevin's inevitable explosion. My issue with this book revolves around Katie (a.k.a. Erin). Erin is not believable IMHO. No woman would put up with a world as small as Kevin made hers--no driving, no friends, no life, always at home, and seemingly no family or people outside of their relationship (who cares about her as if they were family). I don't believe Erin's family is even touched on in the novel which left her feeling very two-dimensional to me. But when Erin escapes her life with Kevin she becomes much more of a three-dimensional character as Katie.

I applaud the narrative style, which effortlessly turned my attention to the inner worlds of so many characters and yet never pulled me out of the story.

And, of course, the mystery and thriller aspects of the novel made for a real page-turner. Mr. Sparks delivers here too. But what surprised me most is the fantastical aspect of the ending, which also warmed my heart.

[Jenny]

Except for the very end of the book, I could imagine this book made into a movie as I read it, which isn't bad. It was entertaining and quick to read.

[Carla]

The movie has terrible reviews...anyone seen it??

[Cherylanne]

Went to Target and got the MBinchy and HOORAY! was able to get discounted "Painted GIrls" today. Gonna have a good week I can tell! xxoocf

[Catherine]

Cherylanne wrote: "Went to Target and got the MBinchy and HOORAY! was able to get discounted "Painted GIrls" today. Gonna have a good week I can tell! xxoocf"

Nice.

[Ashley]

I saw the movie! It was pretty good, typical of many Nicholas Sparks movies. They did do some interesting changes to the plot, so spoiler alert!

The way that Alex finds out about Katie's past is that Keven sends out an APB with Katie wanted for murder. Then the way the show flashbacks makes it seem like she did kill someone. And then they don't even go into Katie never learning to drive, instead Kevin finds her because she called the old neighbor woman from the restaurant. Kevin has a suspicion about the neighbor and breaks into their house and he hears the message she left (and looks at their caller id).

Anyway it was entertaining, but I probably would have waited for DVD if my friends hadn't really wanted to see it. Also, about 15 minutes in my friend called that Jo was a ghost and ruined it for our other friend!