Book Review: Dear John -- Includes Spoiler

"Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks was exactly what I had expected in which once again he captures the readers not only because it is a love story but to me it is NOT a far fetched love story especially during these times.

For those not familiar with the book or who may never read the book, the premise is this. The story involves two main characters, John and Savannah. John is a previously lost young man that found his way into the military to essentially "grow up." On one of his short leaves, he meets the character Savannah whom he didn't know but was going to play a huge roll in his life from that point on until the end of the story. They fall in love and go through trials and tribulations that many other military couples face this day and age.

You may think this is a typical love story but the story progresses into something I hadn't expected. From reading the beginning you will not expect the ending. Now that's my kind of story.


!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!

Here are some questions brought up by a fellow WeddingBee hive member, Miss Chocolate, who wrote a post on the book after reading it: **

**I have provided my answers in blue


*Knowing what we know now... It broke my heart to understand John and his fathers relationship. How different they both were but for what reason. Do you think that if John would have known that his father was autistic when he was growing up, he would have treated him differently?

I do believe John would have treated his dad differently had he known sooner. I don't think it would have been a sympathy relationship but he may have been able to understand his dad more and maybe have a closer bond with him. Of course he would have had some frustration but it wouldn't have been as strong as it was in the book. Sometimes not understanding the situation or the person can cause people to react in a way they wouldn't otherwise had they had this information from the start. It's when you are lost that things can get so confusing.

*I haven't seen the movie yet, but did anyone else picture the characters to be exactly what the actors look like? I had a hard time getting their faces out of my head, so I just ended up going with it. Otherwise I think I would have had an easier time visualizing them myself.

Haven't seen the movie yet either. Can't wait!

*In Ch. 5- John had made dinner for him and his dad. Remember how his dad got all dressed up for that? Do you think maybe in his mind, it was a big deal for his son to be making dinner, so he felt like he needed to dress up because it was a special occasion for him?

After reading this question over again and now knowing that his father suffered from what appeared to be Asberger's Syndrome, I might have to agree that it was a big moment for his dad that is why he "dressed up" for the occasion. It was a cute moment, I had to giggle a little bit while reading it.

*I thought that Randy was going to play a bigger role in the book, but I'm glad that he sort of dwindled out of the plot. Did anyone else think that maybe he was going to stick around? Did you think that Savannah married him?

I definitely thought he was going to stick around but I am glad he didn't. When I saw that she was married, I had a slight feeling it was going to be him because of that small time where she got to know Randy personally but it didn't take long for me to start thinking about Tim.

*Did anyone else find Savannah too good to be true? Was she annoying for you? Was her optimism overbearing or too much?

I didn't think she was too good to be true, I have seen people like this. Of course she is a rare personality which can make people think she was annoying. I think the only annoying part was when he was at UNC visiting her and it seemed she did whatever she could to not spend the alone time with him. But she put him at fault when he was upset about it.  I just wanted to shake her to wake her up. I am not sure if I ever got the feeling whether she thought she was truly wrong or not.

I honestly will never understand what she was going through at that point as I have never gone through a military relationship before. I can only speak on as an average person who has been in a LDR before and you do want to spend all the time you have with the person before you separate again. I always felt it was better to leave on a good note because the time apart can tear you apart especially if there was fighting involved.

*I found it funny that Susan was threatened by John. Do you think Savannah's housemates felt the same way? Do you think maybe Tim did as well?

I think the housemates reactions are pretty typical towards an "outsider". Tim probably felt the same way but he was a less judging character. I am sure he just didn't want to pick up the pieces had John been a real jerk.

*When Savannah gave John the book on Aspergers syndrome, do you think you would have reacted the same way John did? I know I would have. I would have been offended. I think he handled it the way that anyone else would have... Did you think Savannah was over-stepping her grounds even though she was just trying to help?

I know Savannah was just trying to help but it did feel like she was overstepping her grounds by the way she approached it. It is hard for someone to point out the flaws in a close relative without offending someone. I see that now with my FIL. He is a complete and udder mess and my hubby knows it, but somethings I choose not to say because I don't want to overstep my grounds, especially when you can't change the person. If he wants to talk about it I do with no problems. I am his rock for sure, something he needed for a very long time.

The tear jerking moment of the book for me was when Savannah had written the letter to John stating that she was breaking up the relationship because she had fallen for someone else. I cannot tell you how much this broke my heart. I think this part hurt more because someone who is currently fighting in the military, hoping and praying they make it out alive is so stressed that they hold on to the ones they love with such intensity. Breaking that bond essentially broke him apart which led to his multiple enlistings. Did you cry? If so, at what part of the book?


What are your answers to these questions? Do you have any questions about the book or it's characters?

Please share!