Ratings: 4/5
Synopsis: 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 some 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.
Review: It amazes me how a male author can write such a beautiful love story. Maybe it is because majority of the romance novels are written by women. Whatever the reason, I congratulate Nicholas Sparks on his ability to make me fall in love instantly with a fictional relationship.
The novel is written in first person by the protagonist John Tyree. There is something intriguing to me about a male protagonist in a love story. I guess it's a side I don't usually see. I love the vulnerability in Sparks' male characters, even in Dear John where we are presented with what could be a stereotypical macho character.
What I would consider to be Sparks' greatest triumph with this novel is his handling of John's father. It is honestly and beautifully done for me, in some ways, John's relationship with Savannah. Sparks ability to tell a story within a story especially through his portrayal of character relationships is wonderful to read.
My biggest issue with Sparks' books is the way he manages to make my heart ache. I always read one of his novels with a box of tissues close to hand. It is difficult sometimes to even enjoy his books because of his unshamed handling of human weaknesses.
What begins as a summer romance develops into a mature relationship in which choices that affect far more than just a love story. This novel built me up again. I give it 4/5. I was unable to put it down once I started reading. Except of course to refresh my tissues.