Dear John: Book Review

Saturday, March 31, 2012



After watching the movie for how many times already, I think it was time to read the book so here I go. After reading the book, I can see how Nicholas Sparks marveled at how his reader will cry every time someone will read his books.I've heard a lot of opinions from my friends about Nicholas Sparks novels: They say most of his books are predictable, heartbreaking or tearjerker but as for me,I'll be forever a FAN.

I've read a lot of mysteries even from childhood like Goosebumps, Nancy Drew, or Fiction books like from my favorite author of all time Sydney Sheldon but once in a while, no matter how good these books are like The Hunger Games or Angels and Demons and Harry Potter,I keep coming back to Romance novels-Feel good novels like Nicholas Sparks novels,  I enjoy the feeling that they give me. It is nice to watch people fall in love. NO ONE CAN DENY THAT. :)

The Book:

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love—and face the hardest decision of his life.

After joining the service for reasons known only to himself, John has found himself home on leave and falling in love with a beautiful stranger. That is the very essence of this story. After an intense two weeks of vacation, John returns to duty with a picture of Savannah in his pocket. They part knowing that although two weeks is not much, it was enough. They will soon be together and his time in service will be coming to a close. Then, after one year apart, they can begin their life together. Unfortunately, Sept. 11 and its aftermath threatens to tear them apart.and so on..I've watched the movie and frankly speaking, Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried fits the role perfectly.:)


This novel was difficult to read. It did give me the goosebumps, but with an undertone of extreme sorrow. Sparks takes on some very serious subjects, and at times I found myself teary eyed, not so much over the characters, but over the impact the World Trade Center had on them. It brings memories to the surface, as it would for anyone even though I am living here in Manila and I didn't get to witness the said event. 


A great loves story, intertwined with heavy internal conflict, Dear John is a quiet, emotional read. At times you see little bits of reality, that bring the story home.


I recommend almost all of Sparks novels. They always satisfy. You can find out more about the author and his novels at www.nicholaspsparks.com :)


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1 comments

  1. Jeff RiveraJuly 16, 2012 at 7:30 AM

    What a great review! One of the things I really loved about Dear John was the relationship he had with his father. It was so complex yet realistic to how a lot of father-son relationships are. I mean, it kind of reminded me a little bit of my relationship with my stepfather; a special person but who spent 90% of the time locked in his office. I couldn’t relate to him growing up but now I understand him a lot more. Hey, I’m a bestselling author too, maybe that might make a great story. Something to think about. Anyway, thanks for writing such a great review. It reminded me of how great this story is.

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