The first thing I'd like to say about Nicholas Sparks is that all of his books should come with a box of tissues. This should be a prerequisite to reading them.In his newest novel, The Last Song, Sparks tells the story of Ronnie a teenager on the verge of adulthood. She has been going through a rebellious phase, arguing constantly with her mother and not speaking with her father for the past three years. This comes to a head when she and her ten year old brother are forced to spend the summer with their father, whom she blames for the breakup of the marriage.
Upon arrival in Wilmington, North Carolina, she continues her alienation of her dad while finding herself mixed up, once again, with the wrong crowd. Over the summer, though, she discovers that being an adult has deeper meaning than just independence. It means protecting those you love from harsh truths. It involves love, loss, forgiveness and ultimately the need to keep faith in yourself and those you love.
Sparks has remarkable insight into the mind of a struggling teenage girl faced with many obstacles as she embraces maturity. He is consistent in making us open our eyes, through all of his characters, to see the big picture and realize what should be most important in our lives.
So go out, pick up this book and get ready for the emotional roller coaster that The Last Song will inevitably take you on.
