Debut

Though published in 2006, Nicholas Sparks‘ romance novel “Dear John” is currently earning a second wave of widespread popularity due to the upcoming release of the movie tie-in by the same name. Premiering February 5th in theaters, the film Dear John stars Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. Watch the trailer for the upcoming film below to get the gist of the love story featured in Sparks’ novel. (It’s little surprise that the release is timed perfectly to anticipate Valentine’s day coming up later this month.)

From the looks of it, the film closely follows Sparks’ original love story without many deviations (though we can’t be completely certain until we watch it).

The novel Dear John adds to Sparks’ growing literary repertoire of love stories with simple themes featuring ordinary, down-to-earth characters. The magic touch Sparks lends that makes these novels heart-wrenching tear jerkers every time is the extraordinary emotions he imbues within his characters. Sparks tackles those profound and deeply satisfying emotions of longing, endless love and finding your soul mate. Still, his stories are atypical of the usual romances since they are usually tinged with hints of tragedy – as is the case with Dear John.

The love story follows the characters of John Tyree, a rebel-turned-patriotic-soldier, and his blossoming relationship with University of North Carolina student, Savannah Lynn Curtis. The narrator of the story, John, meets Savannah by happenstance (or fate) while on temporary leave from the Army. Though they’re from two different worlds (Sparks is a fan of the star-crossed-lovers motif), the pair overcome their conflicting values and find true love with each other. Tender sentiments of love like the following are sprinkled throughout the novel like hidden treasures for the reader: “And when her lips met mine, I knew that I could live to be a hundred and visit every country in the world, but nothing would ever compare to that single moment when I first kissed the girl of my dreams and knew that my love would last forever.”

Of course with seemingly perfect love stories like this life always happens and in the case of John and Savannah, the events of 9/11 will change them. This novel is almost impossible to put down and results in a quick read from start to finish. Be prepared for waterfalls of tears as you make your way through John’s memories and understand the depth of his love through his eyes. Not only is his story with Savannah touching, John’s journey of finding love for his socially awkward father is equally poignant.

Dear John, while not The Notebook part II, is still one of Sparks’ best. Consider reading it in its original literary form before the film hits theaters. You won’t regret it.