The Notebook

By: Nicholas Sparks

Narrated by: Barry Bostwick

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Experience the unforgettable, heartbreaking love story set in post-World War II North Carolina about a young socialite and the boy who once stole her heart—one of PBS's "Great American Reads".

Every so often a love story so captures our hearts that it becomes more than a story—it becomes an experience to remember forever. The Notebook is such a book. It is a celebration of how passion can be ageless and timeless, a tale that moves us to laughter and tears and makes us believe in true love all over again . . .

At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle . . .

©1996 Nicholas Sparks (P)2004 Time Warner Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A classic tale of love."—Christian Science Monitor

"A one-night read . . . If you are in need of a good cry, The Notebook is absolutely the right book."—USA Today

"The lyrical beauty of this touching love story . . . will captivate the heart of every reader."—Denver Rocky Mountain News

Not a man

There is no way that the author is a man, no men actually feel or act that way. It was a great book, a real tear jerker. I wish I had a man who loved that deep and could express his love that way. Don't get me wrong my husband is awesome.

An excellent book!

As usual, the book is always better than the movie.

**SPOILERS**

I'm finding that like most Nicholas Sparks Books, I enjoy the movie significantly more. I think this would still be the case if I were to have read the books first and then watched the movie. This book in particular felt like it was kind of all over the place, he would have flashbacks and not inform the reader that it was a flashback. This causing a bit of confusion. I was also extremely disappointed that so many epic things that happened in the movie is credited to the screenwriters. I was very excited to hear those in book form as I so deeply loved them in the movie. But I didn't really feel like there was any sort of epic scene in the book. It was all just kind of there. As far as narration goes, Barry Bostwick has an excellent reading voice. However when reading the parts for Allie his voice was a very soft spoken whisper and you had to turn the volume up all the way just hear and then when he could jump to another voice, with your volume up so high he was practically yelling. Overall it is still an excellent book, and Nicholas Sparks gets all the credit in the world for them and story line to the movies. Sadly, I personally just like the movies more.

Wonderful story

I know the story well but still cried reading this for the first time. Full of emotion, sadness and love. It’s a keeper and I will read it again.

Amazing performance

I totally loved this audio book! I've read this with reading some of the chapters of the book in print, but listening to most of it as I was really sick.

Very sweet

It is almost too sweet, the literary equivalent of divinity fudge. And like the aforementioned candy, it is pure, without foul language. The sex scenes are quite tasteful and few. Sentimental may be a better word for it. I was less interested in what would happen next than how the author would resolve it. If I had not been multitasking, I may not have finished it. Obviously it has an extensive audience, but I may have chosen poorly.

Great story

I love the story and delivery. However there is so much variation in tones that I found I either couldn't hear the whispering or if I turned it up to hear. The baritone was very loud. I couldn't find a happy medium. But I enjoyed the story none the less.

Beatiful!

Would you listen to The Notebook again? Why?

Yes, the book differs from the movie just a little bit, but it's still amazing!

What did you like best about this story?

How original the story was and the eternal love of Noah

What about Barry Bostwick’s performance did you like?

Yes

Who was the most memorable character of The Notebook and why?

Noah, his amazing love, passion and personality.

Any additional comments?

Just read it, you won't be disappointed.

Cute but overrated

Yes, I confess it: I watched the movie first, so maybe that's why I found the book a bit dissapointing. Not bad, just a little slow. Although sweet and evocative nontheless.

not as good as the movie

the first time i felt the movie was better than the book. movie has more humor and the beginning of their love story was in more detail...