Among romantic novels, this book will feel right at home alongside Bridges Across Madison County and Love Story. It’s a classic, pure and simple. One of those rare books that carries a message for each and every one of us....(phew). It’s even been made into a box-office hit movie.
Now after all that no-holds-barred piece of effervescence, let me tell you something of the history behind the book. The inspiration for this novel came from Nicholas Spark’s own father, whose mourning for his wife’s sudden death left Nicholas wondering if it is possible to find true love twice in one lifetime...
Now to move into the story itself. Once again I assure you, my attempt will be to enhance your reading experience, not destroy it by revealing the entire story.
The book starts by describing the seaworthiness of a Humble Bottle (some interesting facts hidden inside...), and goes on to show how the all important message in our bottle, after 26 days and 738 miles from its point of entry into the sea, ends its journey.
The story revolves around the leading lady Theresa Osborne, a divorcee (her husband has his first extra marital affair three months after the marriage... Sheesh.. talk about out of control hormones), from Big Bad Boston and her relationship with Garette Blake, a shy, unassuming, gentleman from small town Wilmington, who runs this sea goods store and is a diving instructor. Theresa’s son Kevin, a precocious little 12 year old and Garette’s dry as nails old dad, Jeb, complete the picture.
Oh yeah throw in Happenstance (I loved the name), Garette’s refurbished, all wood, WW II classic boat and his dear departed wife Catherine for good measure and you have all the ingredients for an all time classic tear-jerker.
But seriously, though there are plenty of opportunities for the book to descend into well known clichedom, it resists the temptation manfully.
What really makes you sit up and take notice (albeit with a lump in your throat) are the beautiful, touching, poignant and graphic letters Garette writes to his dead wife.
These letters come straight from the authors heart and bring to life the joys they shared together and the terrible sadness and emptiness one feels after the loss of a loved one.
As far as emotional outpourings go, this book touches you by the obvious sincerity with which the author asks the question. ’’Is it possible to love again, for an emotionally bruised heart...:-)’’
The book describes how Garette’s letters (in the aforementioned much travelled bottle), brings Theresa to Wilmington, where she finds him still in mourning for his wife, who passed away 3 years ago.
The story moves on to explore the trials and tribulations involved when a working, ambitious, city woman with a child tries to build a long-distance relationship with an afraid to love again, small towner.
Tough call friends...Very very tough..
The book has a brilliant finale, which I will not share with you (though I am sorely tempted....:-)). Suffice to say that the book gives hope to those who have lost someone they dearly loved (fills up the emptiness inside), and creates hope in those hearts which have never felt the warm touch of love.
It is better to have loved and lost, rather than to never have loved at all, for then you have never lived....
But I would like to end the review with a note of caution.
Please do not, DO NOT judge the book too hastily, give it a chance, just as one cannot judge a half cooked dish, one must absorb the entire aroma, feeling and aura of the book to really understand the Message in this Jem of a Book.
Cheers and Happy Reading
Amith