I've long been a fan of Nicholas Sparks (think MESSAGE IN A
BOTTLE, A WALK TO REMEMBER, etc.), so when I heard he had
written a follow-up to THE NOTEBOOK--his first novel--I
anxiously sought it out.
THE WEDDING did not disappoint. It is the story of a man
dearly in love with his wife, but who has trouble showing that
sentiment. He learns to do so, in part because of the shining
example set by his in-laws, Noah and Allie Calhoun, and their
50-year love affair that was so movingly recounted in THE
NOTEBOOK).
I must admit that I don't cry often; however, this tale did
cause me to mist-up at times. A surprise ending further added
to my enjoyment.
And because I'm roughly the same age as the main character,
I do believe that fact helped me further relate to his
experiences. Also, I've experienced some of what he went
through.
Sparks' writing, as always, kept my interest. There were
several memorable passages; among them:
He smiled. "That's what I mean when I say that I did it for
me. Every time I read to her, it was like I was courting her,
because sometimes, just sometimes, she would fall in love with
me again, just like she had a long time ago.
And that's the most wonderful feeling in the world. How
many people are ever given that chance? To have someone you
love fall in love with you over and over?"
Jane, however, had been making my plans difficult to keep.
She seemed to enjoy my company. She listened with interest,
teased me playfully, and always reached for my hand whenever
we were together. The first time she did this, I remember
thinking how right it felt.
Though if sounds ridiculous, when a couple holds hands, it
either feels right or it doesn't. I suppose this had to do
with the inter-twining of fingers and the proper placement of
the thumb, though when I tried to explain my reasoning to her,
Jane laughed and asked me why it was so important to analyze.
This week, I hadn't been focusing on my problems and doing
my best to correct them. This week, I'd been thinking of her;
I'd committed myself to helping her with family
responsibilities, I'd listened with interest whenever she
spoke, and everything we discussed seemed new.
I'd laughed at her jokes and held her as she'd cried,
apologized for my faults, and showed her the affection she
both needed and deserved.
In other words, I'd been the man she'd always wanted, the
man I once had been, and--like and old habit rediscovered--I
now understood that it was all I ever needed to do for us to
begin enjoying each other's company again. -Blaine
Greenfield
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