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A review by jenbsbooks
Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks
2.5
I've seen a few movies based on NS books, but this is the first book of his that I've read. I got the audio and Kindle copy, and went primarily with the audio. This was for bookclub ... we'll see if discussion makes me appreciate it any more. It was just okay for me.
In audio, it started off with the author (I think? Not credited, but not the same narrator as the male voice in the story) telling us how he discovered the Kindred Spirit mailbox, where apparently people leave letters and anyone can read them. He finds one that he feels like there is a story, tracks down the author, and thus, this book. For privacy, and due to creative license, he's calling it a novel rather than non-fiction.
It felt a little odd to me ... I appreciated that the author voiced the narration himself (always making things more personable) but information like this is more of an "author's notes" type of thing. Here at the front of the book, not even labeled as an "author's note" and written fairly flowery, it felt like part of the book .
... ahhhh. Have you read The Princess Bride's intro?
So ... I know a lot of people don't bother with Author's Notes, sometimes the audiobook doesn't even include them (it was included in the audio here). Some people don't even read prologue/epilogues (but come on, those are part of the book!). The author's note here should be required ... revelation that "the literary device of 'self-insertion' had always felt intriguing ..." that the “story-within-a-story” device involving the author/the bookends I wrote in my own voice added an interesting dimension" and that Tru/Hope, the discovery, the whole story, is complete fiction. I'm sure MANY readers sigh and think this is all based on real people.
I thought the story was quite a stretch. I'm not a fan of "insta love" ... I know in the rare case it can and has happened, but really? Spend a couple of days with someone, fall into bed, and want to spend the rest of your life with them? And if that doesn't work out, spend the rest of your life thinking about them and "what ifs" ...? I was irked at Hope letting her dog run all over unsupervised. I didn't care for the big break/time jump, and the big catchup on their lives.
No numerical chapters, there were the two "parts" and the headers (pretty generic) ... Kindred Spirit. Part 1: Tru, Hope, Sunset Beach, Autumn Afternoons, Dinner on the Deck, A Walk in the Dark, Sunrise and Surprises, A Love Letter, Moments of Truth, Together, Father Time, No More Tomorrows, Aftermath Part 2: Sands in the Hourglass, The Box, Reunion, Dying, Day by Day. Epilogue.
There was mention of Alexander Smith's novels ... I just read [book:The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency|1102099] earlier this month! Co-ink-idink! I'd also watched "A Biltmore Christmas" this last holiday season (wouldn't have even registered that reference otherwise).
In audio, it started off with the author (I think? Not credited, but not the same narrator as the male voice in the story) telling us how he discovered the Kindred Spirit mailbox, where apparently people leave letters and anyone can read them. He finds one that he feels like there is a story, tracks down the author, and thus, this book. For privacy, and due to creative license, he's calling it a novel rather than non-fiction.
It felt a little odd to me ... I appreciated that the author voiced the narration himself (always making things more personable) but information like this is more of an "author's notes" type of thing. Here at the front of the book, not even labeled as an "author's note" and written fairly flowery, it felt like part of the book .
... ahhhh. Have you read The Princess Bride's intro?
So ... I know a lot of people don't bother with Author's Notes, sometimes the audiobook doesn't even include them (it was included in the audio here). Some people don't even read prologue/epilogues (but come on, those are part of the book!). The author's note here should be required ... revelation that "the literary device of 'self-insertion' had always felt intriguing ..." that the “story-within-a-story” device involving the author/the bookends I wrote in my own voice added an interesting dimension" and that Tru/Hope, the discovery, the whole story, is complete fiction. I'm sure MANY readers sigh and think this is all based on real people.
I thought the story was quite a stretch. I'm not a fan of "insta love" ... I know in the rare case it can and has happened, but really? Spend a couple of days with someone, fall into bed, and want to spend the rest of your life with them? And if that doesn't work out, spend the rest of your life thinking about them and "what ifs" ...? I was irked at Hope letting her dog run all over unsupervised. I didn't care for the big break/time jump, and the big catchup on their lives.
No numerical chapters, there were the two "parts" and the headers (pretty generic) ... Kindred Spirit. Part 1: Tru, Hope, Sunset Beach, Autumn Afternoons, Dinner on the Deck, A Walk in the Dark, Sunrise and Surprises, A Love Letter, Moments of Truth, Together, Father Time, No More Tomorrows, Aftermath Part 2: Sands in the Hourglass, The Box, Reunion, Dying, Day by Day. Epilogue.
There was mention of Alexander Smith's novels ... I just read [book:The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency|1102099] earlier this month! Co-ink-idink! I'd also watched "A Biltmore Christmas" this last holiday season (wouldn't have even registered that reference otherwise).