One of the great romance novelists of our time is Nicholas Sparks, best known for his novels “The Notebook” and “A Walk to Remember.” These novels portray a romance between two people with the theme that love will conquer all. Over the past decade, several of Sparks’ novels have been transformed into major motion pictures. While the films still capture the essence of his novels, same directors changes leaves many devoted bookworms unsatisfied.
One of the most epic love stories of the ‘90s is Sparks’ novel, “The Notebook,” which was adapted for film in 2004. A classic story of love and loss, Sparks portrayed that love is worth the fight. Allie and Noah come from two different social classes and learn their love can overcome any obstacle. When you learn that Noah is reading Allie the story of their love in a nursing home since Allie has developed Alzheimer’s, it shows how far one will go to keep their love alive.
Contrary to the film, the novel has a different ending. Although it was romantic and tear-jerking to watch the couple die together on a hospital bed, it almost seems like the director is trying to make a statement that no matter how hard one tries, love cannot overcome all obstacles. The book, however, has a more romantic and passionate feeling. Noah and Allie witness a miracle due to their strong love; Allie’s Alzheimer’s is reversed, portraying the message that love can indeed overcome any obstacle it faces.
Although highly unlikely, Sparks promotes the message that one of the greatest powers on earth is finding true love and that when one finds love, they will do everything in their power to keep it. Even though the ending was changed, director Nick Cassavetes tried to portray a happy ending in a different way to viewers.
In Sparks’ “A Walk to Remember,” good girl Jamie Sullivan falls for bad boy Landon Carter and their relationship grows slowly, but is soon plagued by Jamie’s rare form of leukemia. Even though Jamie is dying, the two have experienced true love, which helps get them through their time of hardship.
In the film as well as the novel, Landon and Jamie decide to get married and experience true love in marital bliss until Jamie passes away. Sparks shows how her walk down the aisle, while painful, is a walk that one will make for true love and affection. The book and the movie both show that even though true love cannot grant a miracle of her Leukemia going into remission, she does experience the miracle of love and the opportunity to find her soul mate.
One of Sparks’ most recent novels that have been adapted into a motion picture is the moving story of Savannah and John in the romance novel, “Dear John.”
Based in North Carolina, John and Savannah face a whirlwind romance. Their love is put to the ultimate test and Savannah and John wonder if their love can survive through war and evolving as people away from each other. Throughout the novel, their love faces multiple challenges and illustrates how love changes.
The film depicted numerous aspects of the novel. The chemistry between John and Savannah was clearly stated and shown; however it just seemed that something was missing.
Sparks’ message was that love means more than just being together. Love is taking risks and doing things that may benefit the person you love even though it means you may not be together.
Although directors may change the ending to the book that Sparks has written, Sparks portrays that true love conquers all and that it is an essential part of life. Those who experience love for the first time or find their soul mate have the opportunity to have life experiences that others do not. Contrary to the directors, through Sparks’ novels, one is able to see love conquer and overtake any disease or issue that a couple may face.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures
