Thursday
Aug102006
Book Review: "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks
Thursday, August 10, 2006 at 09:39AM 
First, I have to admit that my primary reason for writing this review is to justify my reading of this book. I'll read almost anything that's placed in front of me, but I try to avoid all things Nicholas Sparks. I liked The Notebook, yes, but after reading Message in a Bottle, I decided I couldn't stomach anymore Sparks. He activates my gag reflex like no other writer.
However, when a friend, who equally disliked Message in a Bottle, picked this up on one of our trips to the used book store, I decided to give Nick another go. My friend said she knew it was somehow tied to The Notebook, which I enjoyed, so I took a chance.
A bad chance, as it turns out. I found the characters bland and the plot sluggish. The love story, while more realistic and certainly more common than that of The Notebook, is not nearly as inspiring. The plot didn't move at a pace that held my interest, and it wasn't until near the end that I really latched on. Sparks is lucky I gave him that long to hook me.
Worst of all, it was entirely too predictable. A novel can get away with predictability if the story leading up to the twist is also interesting and grabbing. However, I found Sparks to be almost insulting in his assumption that the reader can't see right through his guise. He strings you along like you have no idea what's really going on, then asks you to act shocked as he slowly reveals his secrets.
While this novel isn't the worst I've read (that Bottle book was even worse!), I'd be forced to give it a single star if I had my own rating system. Which I don't. Instead, I'll just suggest that unless you like cheesy predictable love stories, you might find something better to read on another shelf.
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Reader Comments (6)
I have not read Message In a Bottle, in fact this book and the Notebook were the only two I read of his. I do not like romances,because they never are real,and the only reason I read Notebook, is because I LOVED the movie. And since this was the sequal I had to try it too. I actually liked the movie of the Notebook a lot better than the book, but for some reason I loved the Wedding. Yes I found it predictable, but I love falling back in love books.
this sucks i want to know about the whole book and wat happens at the end not this stupid book review telling wat i already know so i think that you should get in details what the book is about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh I'm sorry guatalupe. This is a book REVIEW, meaning I review what I thought about the book. Did I like it? Did I hate it? Why?
You're looking for a book SUMMARY, which this is obviously not, if you look at the title. Did you miss that part?
You'll have to look elsewhere. Or just read the book yourself to find out what happens.
I agree 1000% with your review. I picked up The Wedding at the library for an easy read during a long airplane trip, but ended up flipping through SkyMall instead. Nicholas Sparks may create decent concepts for his storylines, but that's where his talent ends. His writing is flat and uninteresting, and his characters have no "developed" personality. Instead of letting the reader get to know a character through action, thoughts, and dialog, he awkwardly blurts it out at you (i.e. "Jane rarely got angry" or "Anna was the most honest person I'd ever known".) Don't tell me - show me - one sign of a truly talented novelist. Plotwise, I never become "lost" in Sparks' books like I do when I read Elizabeth Berg, for example. His writing style reminds me of 8th grade essays. These - are - the - facts - and - what - I - said - and - what - she - said - and - what - happened - next. Ugh. I finally finished The Wedding after I returned home, but like you, I predicted every twist and turn in the book. I guessed what the "special project" he was creating for Jane was, I guessed how the wedding would turn out, I knew from the very beginning who the swan was supposed to be, and I knew what happened to the swan when it "disappeared". It was especially laughable when they were trying so desperately hard to figure out where to have an outdoor wedding, when a few pages earlier he had described the beautiful but neglected homestead. Duh. The Wedding was a good reminder of why I avoid Sparks' books. If you like an intelligent read, skip this one.
Ya'll are all dumb. Nicholas Sparks is an amazing writer who makes people believe in true love. And yes, there is such a thing...Negative people are the lonely ones in life. Nicholas Sparks gives those who are looking for love hope. He writes inspirational novels that truely touch and warm peoples hearts. Don't bash someone's view of love. Love is a beautiful thing and everyone should know how wonderful it is. Good job on The Wedding!
Thanks for the comment Allison. I wasn't calling anyone dumb though. And I wasn't bashing love or Sparks' view of love. I was critiquing his writing. I just don't like it, but it's fine if you do. Enjoy the rest of his books. I'll be reading something else.