The James Logan Courier

By Olivia Guitron, Courier Staff Writer

Nicholas Sparks is a great writer, one whose books will inspire many, and create more readers. His novel, A Walk to Remember, is really touching, right from the start. Sparks has a way with stories and words, and this novel is no different. If you had read his previous novels, then this book is just right, because it shows one of Spark’s most inspiring, touching, and beautiful moments that he has written so far.

It starts with the main character, Landon Carter, as an old man remembering his past and telling the tale of his teenage years when he was 17. Landon was a typical teen in 1958, falling “in love” with various girls in his school, making fun of the minister of his town, who believed that fornicators would rot in hell. His life switches around when he has to find a date to the dance, but his options become limited. So he decides, in the end, to forcefully go out with the minister’s daughter, Jamie Sullivan.
Now, the only reason why she wasn’t his first choice was because he thought his friends would make fun of him going out with the minister’s daughter. Not only that, but Jamie was sort of strange compared to the others at her school. She wore her hair in a bun, had basically the same “going-to-an-interview” clothes like a brown sweater and a pleated skirt, she wore no makeup, and she always carried a bible around with her. She’s the type of girl that would help wounded animals and help people whenever they needed help, as well as help the orphans.

Landon thinks it’s a horrible idea to go out with her, but after the dance, he feels like he can really get to know her and be her friend. Things get better when Landon decides to join the school play with Jamie, and they walk to her house together. Under strict rules, Landon and Jamie hang out at her house, and talk about various things, though sometimes Jamie is uncomfortable talking about religious topics.

The true turn of events is when Landon finds out that he is growing to be in love with her. Though this is the late 1950’s and though Jamie is the minister’s daughter, he goes out with her and learns to love her and get to know her more. He eventually wants to go out with her, because he finally knows what it’s like to fall in love. However, Jamie declines, because she can’t for a very important reason. The novel ends with a sad, yet optimistic view from Landon, and it is a truly amazing story about true love, and what it really means to love someone, no matter what. This book is definitely a beautiful book to read, and it is sad, funny, and thoughtful in many aspects. This is one of Spark’s truly magnificent works, and should not be missed.