You know how it is with best-sellers? They always seem to let me down. Thankfully, not this one.
Love Story by Erich Segal is a book thats been immensely popular for over three decades.
Im sure many of you have either read, or heard about the book. So many movies have been based on this beautiful book that Im sure youve come across at least one.
What its about..
This 127 page book is about two people who, being true opposites, fall in love. Nothing new, you would say. But thats where youre wrong. It is new. And thats simply because this book hasnt been written in the Mills & Boon fashion where people fall in love and live happily ever after. Neither is this about the troubles one faces in love or passion or any of that stuff often mistaken for love. This book is about love, the real thing.
The story progresses as the two main characters, Oliver Barrett and Jennifer Cavilleri, fall in love and marry. Oliver is a Harvard Law student and Jennifers into music. They are two bright young people who fall for each other inspite of their vast difference in backgrounds. You see, Oliver belongs to the Barrett family that has a long line of hugely successful men, while Jennifers father is an Italian who owns a pastry shop. The differences never once create trouble, for the two know each other for who they are and do their part in building a home.
Oliver has some disagreement with his dad and now is broke and the two have to work hard to make ends meet. The rest of the story is about them being so truly in love and one fine day being told that Jennifer is dying.
Why I loved it..
This isnt the first book ever written on love. So why has this one received such recognition? It is perhaps because it doesnt attempt to set any standards for people in love. It doesnt try and explain what love it. It gives you no weird descriptions like her hair looked the colour of corn as it shone in the sunlight!!! It doesnt say what love is or this is how it is to be in love. It doesnt show you anything that isnt real. No fancy men and women, no fancy words exchanged between the couple.
Thats what works. Its real.
It lets you feel the love rather than have the author describe it for you.
Plus, it doesnt aim at mush. And doesnt wish for you to feel sorry for the leading ladys death.
What it does..
When I started reading the book, I expected loads of mush and wasnt too sure if I would be able to finish reading it. I was pleasantly surprised.
I mustve read 3/4th of the book without feeling any connection or involvement. I had heard so much about this book that I guess I expected it to get some reaction out of me.
Well, lets just say that the final 1/4th is what this book is all about. I couldnt stop the tears. Im a sucker for mush, in case you were wondering. But it isnt just anything that can get me sappy.
Page by page, this book makes that connection with you. Heck, I didnt even realise I felt anything at all for the characters when I heard Jen was dying. Its only later that you realise that a bond (?) had been formed, without your knowledge or even consent.
Thats why Id say, the very book is like love. Before you even realise whats happening, youre in it :)