Premise:
When Savannah Lynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets the girl of his dreams. Savannah Lynn Curtis is attending college in North Carolina, working for Habitat for Humanity, and totally unprepared for the passionate attraction she feels for John Tyree.The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty, and John realizing that he''s ready to settle down with the young woman who has captured his heart.Neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world and will force John to risk every hope and dream that he''s ever had.Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. And like all those left behind, Savannah must decide to wait or move on. How do we choose wisely? How can we face loss-without giving up on love? Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover that loving Savannah will force him to make the hardest decision of his life. An extraordinary, moving story, DEAR JOHN explores the complexities of love-how it survives time and heartbreak, and how it transforms us forever.
Review:
This was a most enjoyable Nicholas Sparks novel full of heart wrenching and tearful scenes. I found the characters to be likeable and thought that John had real depth. He wasn't a typical "hero" but an average man with problems who was insecure and troubled but wanted to change. He showed us his flaws along with his good qualities which I thought made him a character we could connect with and understand.
The character of Savannah was not nearly as good as John and I did not really get a complete picture of what she was really like and what attracted John so strongly to her.
I did enjoy this book very much even though it was very sad. Savannah's love opened John's heart and showed him about true love. In doing so, John was then able to connect with his father on a whole new level and was able to finally appreciate all of the his dad struggled to provide him with growing up.
John really grows so much as a person in this novel it's really more about one's own capacity to love and grow than a romance story. I think the ending is a true testament to John's development into a strong loving person. He loved Savannah enough to let her go.
I am anxious to see the movie and imagine that it will be another cryfest like The Notebook was. I will have to get my tissues ready for when I see it.
Rating 4 out of 5
This sounds like a good read!
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