The Longest Ride

By: Nicholas Sparks

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, January LaVoy

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Romance, 2014

Ira Levinson is in trouble. At 91 years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together - how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can't possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior's life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward - even life and death - loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans - a future that Luke has the power to rewrite... if the secret he's keeping doesn't destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

©2013 Nicholas Sparks (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Another great read/listen from Mr. Sparks

I loved this book. I did not want the story to end. I would have like to know the rest of the ride for the characters.

wonderful!

I enjoyed all the way through. thank you Nicholas Sparks for another great book with an unexpected ending!

Wow!!! I adore Mr Sparks for his love of love

I absolutely LOVED this book, and the idea that a man, by no means special or outwardly unique could love a women this much! That Nicolas Sparks could create a love story so absolutely profound, yet simple is amazing in itself! I adored this story and love that it makes me hope to one day love and be loved like a Nicolas sparks love story! Cause I do believe in true love, i do believe in soul mates, and this story makes me crave it in a way I'll never settle for less! Thank you Mr. Sparks for this wonderful story! I strongly recommend that if you loved the notebook, and have ever craved for true love to find you read this book of hope, love, and most importantly the idea that everyone should have or has someone who is by far more meaningful and important to them then any fortune or perceived wealth could ever value
lOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED it!!!

Very very good! like a box of chocolate!

What made the experience of listening to The Longest Ride the most enjoyable?

First of all the story: romantic, touching, moving!Then the narration: Ira and Ruth were narrated by Ron McLarty, and Sophia and Luke by January Lavoy, both of them did great work! They made it accurately to the context, and to the text.In addition, my first degree is at Art History, so it was nice to have something in common with Ruth and Sophia. I loved listening to the names of the famous artists, and to feel the appreciation of the author for Art.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hard to say. I think Ira.He touched my heart.I love listening to old people, they have the wisdom of life, and Mr. Sparks wrote Ira beautifully.

What about Ron McLarty and January LaVoy ’s performance did you like?

As I said, I've enjoyed the narration very very much.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

YES, it did!!I must say one morning, when I was listening, and the story was about something upsetting, I was upset all day, I was really sad for the characters. And towards the end, when the inevitable happened, I even shed tears. Sounds crazy, but I did.
I loved the end of the story very much.

Any additional comments?

I truly recommend this book.an enjoyable experience.Give yourself this lovely present!

Touching

Would you consider the audio edition of The Longest Ride to be better than the print version?

I did not like the voice of the man.

What did you like best about this story?

the intertwine of both story lines.

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty and January LaVoy ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Who was the most memorable character of The Longest Ride and why?

all of them

awesome book and storyline. Didn't understand the

two stories at first but it shows how sometimes our lives can entwine. The true love of our lives is special and more important then wealth.

Portraits of Love

This is a typical Nicolas Sparks book, he always makes me cry. This one, although emotional, was not quite the tear jerker as his previous books.

The storyline was pretty predictable but was enjoyable to hear how the story played out. I enjoyed the two story lines and how they became connected in the end. I could do without the music between chapters, however. I also enjoyed the two different narrators and they did an excellent job.

I would recommend this book, especially if you have enjoyed Nicholas Sparks previous work.

Go Sparks! Better than the Movie BUT

The audio book was more in depth than the movie, which was pretty darn shallow, BUT the range of loudness is too broad. I listen on a high end smart phone with an equalizer, but I'm old. So, I turn it up loud enough to hear the dialogue, then BANG, someone screams in my ear because a character screams. Come ON! This takes me completely out of the story and wakes the baby, wakes the dog, sets off the smoke detector (okay, I'm exaggerating on that last one). EDITORS AND NARRATORS: YOU MAY BE COMMUNICATING 1 INCH FROM SOMEONE'S EARDRUM. CONTROL YOURSELF!

Great ending

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I liked how the two stories tied together. I can't wait for the movie. All the Sparks books are fantastic and are an easy listen.

Unexpected

For too long I let the title mislead me vs the story. I love the two stories, knowing somehow they must merge. I have to admit I did notice a few slow short story times, but I throughly enjoyed and gave it 5 stars.