Installment I
I’ve just finished reading Nicholas Sparks’ “True Believer.” I don’t know why I decided to read it. I haven’t read a romance story since Classic Comics’ treatment of “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Actually, Sparks’ story is the first romance novel I’ve ever read. My usual fictional fare used to be Western stories with a girl character in there somewhere, which the hero sometimes won and sometimes didn’t, preferring his horse instead.
Then I morphed into political science textbooks where the only mention of romance that I ever ran across was in a footnote to an obscure German pamphlet that talked about the debilitating effects on the male sex drive of a broccoli binge.
Anyway, I decided to read Nicholas Sparks’ book because it was on a seat near me in an airport, and after a couple hours, no one claimed it. I figured, what the heck, got to do something on a cold day in an airport.
Besides, I admired Sparks right off the bat. Not many men have the guts to write a romance novel. Okay, okay, I didn’t admire him. I envied him. I wanted to make a few million, too, and this guy beat me to it.
So I started reading and just couldn’t put it down. Sparks is an excellent writer. His skills are far beyond mine. I couldn’t have asked for a book so clearly written and well organized as this one.
The basic plot is about a writer who debunks supernatural phenomena. He visits a small town in North Carolina to investigate reports of mysterious lights in a cemetery, and almost as soon as he arrives, he falls in love. This is a really novel plot twist.
The story seemed interesting until you get a few pages along. Then you discover that romance in the 21st Century isn’t quite like it used to be. In the old days, romance took time to flourish. In Spark’s tale, the main characters feel an immediate attraction and dance around for a whole two days before they fall passionately into bed and thus, by modern standards, in love.
Boy, I hadn’t even had time to blink when suddenly, the end was staring me in the face. I always thought true romance was about anticipation. Then when sex finally occurs, it speaks to enduring love. But in our age of rapid (or is it rabbit?) response, I suppose a wait of a few days is reasonable, even if it is at the upper limits of anticipation.
Oh, before I move on, let me gloss over the two main characters. Jeremy Marsh is a stereotypically brash New Yorker from Queens who dresses entirely in black complete with turtle-neck sweater, leather jacket, black pants, and European chic-shoes. That sounds kind of bland to me. At least Sparks could have sparked up Marsh’s costume with a little color like, say, a pink carnation behind his ear. Besides his name is Jeremy Marsh, which sounds sissy-like to me. Couldn’t sparks at least have given him a solid masculine name such as Rock Stud?
To top it off, the male protagonist broadcasts the latest sophisticated signal of the modern generation, stubble-chic. We used to call people like that hobos or dirty old men. Why couldn’t the male protagonist be a clean-shaven unknown deputy sheriff in Arizona who, as the Masked Deputy, helps old ladies and children maneuver through horse droppings on a lonely desert road?
To be continued
I am writing a research paper on Nicholas Sparks and I need to know your name so I can correctly credit you. This seems to be critical material and it would be crucial support for my paper. I would appreciate it very much if you would provide me with this information.
Thank you
Kayla M.
[...] Nicholas Sparks’ novel “True Believer” For the past several days, I have noticed an increasing number of hits on three old posts about a review of Nicholas Sparks’ novel True Believer. [...]
I was wondering my self if I could get your name I am doing a research paper on True Believer and I too would like to credit you for the criticism. I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks,
Mark C.
hello mark, the name is in the URL.
my piece isn’t criticism. It’s a sarirical look at romance novels from the perspective of someone who might write a romance story set in the rough tough West. I thought my piece was kind of humorous, but everyone seems to think of it as criticiam. I happen to like Sparks’ book as well as his follow-up “At First Sight,” although I was a little shocked at it’s ending. But, that’s what Sparks is known for. Sincerely, r.s.
Hey, SF Bay Area
I just wanted to say that I bought the book “True Believer” last year around April. I just never had time to read it since my personal and professional life was just crazy. But recently, I made a trip to London and thought that it would be great opportunity to read this book. I started reading at memphis airport where I am from and just couldn’t stop unitil Hethrew Airport. Throughout my cousin’s wedding, all I could think about is the book. On my way back after a week, I picked up again what finished. This book a my favorite. I love every word, character, and romance. I believe in having faith and patience to have a sucessful life. This book reflects my passion for life.
I recommend each and every passionate person out there to read it.