13 best books of Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Charles Sparks - master of sensual lyrical prose. His works are published in millions of copies in 45 countries around the world. Motion pictures based on the novels are box-office hits. Many of the books become bestsellers in the first weeks and even days after the release.
A red thread through all the works is love, which turns the head, breaks all life barriers, seduces with passion, breaks the heart with drama. Sparks writes about ideal love in its highest sense and every reader plunges into iridescent feelings and becomes a hero of the novel, coming into contact with this beautiful and strong feeling, and even testing it with moments.
Many critics accuse Sparks of excessive sentimentality, typical plots, prolonged dialogues and almost ideal heroes, which in places seem slightly pictorial, and their relationship is unrealistic sublime. But in the soul everyone secretly dreams of such high, divine, eternal love.
The author admits that almost all of the 22 novels published today are based on real stories of real people. Perhaps this is the secret of the mass appeal of books?
Rating the best books of Nicholas Sparks
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | rating |
| Rating the best books of Nicholas Sparks | 1 | Diary | 4.9 |
| 2 | last song | 4.8 | |
| 3 | Dear John | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Hurry to love | 4.8 | |
| 5 | Lucky | 4.7 | |
| 6 | A quiet harbor | 4.7 | |
| 7 | Best in me | 4.7 | |
| 8 | Guardian angel | 4.6 | |
| 9 | Message in a bottle | 4.5 | |
| 10 | Selection | 4.5 | |
| 11 | Two by two | 4.5 | |
| 12 | Sharp turn | 4.5 | |
| 13 | The rescue | 4.4 |
Diary
Rating: 4.9
Book author: Nicholas Sparks
We can say that Nicholas Sparks almost became famous one day. The first novel that brought fame to the author and a contract for $ 1 million was the Memory Diary, which heads our rating.
The plot is based on a real story of the writer's wife’s grandparents' grandmother and grandfather, who lived together for 60 years. In his work, Nicholas portrays eternal love, a lifetime.
The protagonist, Noah, tells the story of their love again, to Ellie, to her lover, who forgets about everything again and again. This story is about a happy family life and the obstacles; odd fate and separation; warm memories and emotional experiences.
The Diary of Memory is one of the first books by Nicholas Sparks, written back in 1994, and in the first week it ranked first among the best-selling books of the New York Times.
On May 20, 2004, the eponymous film with the slogan “Behind every great love is a great story” appeared on television screens, which stirred up a new interest in the book and again returned to it the title of bestseller. In 2005, the film was awarded the "MTV" award for the scene with the best kiss.
Roman “Diary of Memory” admire. He is hated and criticized. But the sensual love story of Noah and Ellie still holds the leading position among the most touching lyrical works of our time.
last song
Rating: 4.8
Book author: Nicholas Sparks
We gave the second line in the rating to the book “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks.In the novel, the author extensively presents the concept of love, revealing all its versatility. The love of a guy for a girl, the love of parents, animals, people and life in general. This story makes you think about higher values, your own relationships with parents and the importance of time spent with loved ones.
The forgiving theme of the love of a father and daughter is the leitmotif of the work. The events that occurred with the main character - Ronnie, forever changed her life. The flighty 17-year-old girl falls in love for the first time in one summer, finds love and forgiveness of her father and immediately loses him.
“The Last Song” was the first novel of the writer, the literary text to which Sparks is finished after the script. The first version of the picture, written specifically for the young actress Miley Cyrus, was completed a year before the end of the work on the book.
Subsequently, the novel was published in more than 30 countries around the world and almost instantly hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Dear John
Rating: 4.8
Author: Nicholas Sparks
The novel “Dear John”, located on the 3rd position of our rating, is the 12th piece in a row, which was presented to the world in 2006, and in the same year it became a bestseller according to Publishers Weekly. The screen version of the novel in 2010 again returned to its former popularity, causing a real stir among fans of Sparks. The release of the film was presented to the public on February 5, 2010, 4 years after the book was published.
The love story told on behalf of the main character, 23-year-old soldier John Traley, comes to the fore in the novel “Dear John”. He is torn between the desire to be with his beloved and a sense of duty, urging him to re-join the army after the horrors of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
Sparks masterfully talks about real feelings. The reader even has the impression that the storyline is a real, not a fictional story. And the characters are described so subtly that they literally begin to “live” in the head.
Page by page the reader gets answers to his questions and comes to the conclusion that love is a great feeling that does not fit into the borders. Its presence or absence is determined only by actions. And the novel is about that.
Hurry to love
Rating: 4.8
Author: Nicholas Sparks
The novel “Hurry love”, which took the 4th place in the rating, is one of the most famous works of Nicholas Sparks, which brought him worldwide fame, becoming the best seller number 1 according to the New York Times. The book tells of a real, almost unearthly love, which does not pass and does not end even under the pressure of difficult life circumstances and losses.
The novel is largely autobiographical, since the author’s sister, Daniel Sparks Lewis, became the prototype of the main character, Jamie Sullivan, who was sick with cancer and died in 2000 when she was only 33 years old. It is to her memory that Nicholas dedicated this novel.
“Rush to love” is a romantic and touching story about the beautiful life-long youthful love. The main character, Jamie, who got her name in honor of the writer's editor, is hopelessly ill with leukemia, but her beloved Landon (that is the name of the writer's son) decides to be with her until the end, even if they are destined to spend only one summer together.
Lucky
Rating: 4.7
Author: Nicholas Sparks
“Lucky” gets on the 5th step of our rating. This time Nicholas writes about the history of the marine, who survived the hostilities, thanks to a photograph of a pretty girl found by chance. In any case, Logan himself thinks so and decides to find the beautiful stranger by all means.
Creating an image of Logan Tibo, the author sought to maximize the credibility. He conducted many interviews with people, flipped through archived newspaper notes, and watched documentaries.
A wonderful book for a wonderful evening - “Lucky” from the category of those novels that are good for short evenings.The novel is not out of the context of other works of the author. The same idea, characters, experiences and tragedy. However, Sparks is so cool to convey a feeling of warmth, care and trust that the reader involuntarily imbued with the fate of the characters.
Relentless fate puts the heroes before a choice, demanding that they fight for their feelings. And only their future depends on them, which takes a very unexpected turn.
Not without the traditional adaptation of Sparks novel. The premiere of the painting took place on May 19, 2012 and was expected to become a box office.
A quiet harbor
Rating: 4.7
Author: Nicholas Sparks
We gave the sixth place in the rating to the novel “Silent Harbor”, which came out from the writer's pen in 2010. This time, Sparks decided to write something more exciting than the vanilla romance and raise a socially significant issue that is acute for the society. Nicholas dedicated another novel to domestic violence.
The author puts the main character - Katie in terrible conditions. She is lonely, defenseless, helpless. The tyranny of her husband - a policeman passes all permissible limits. However, the courageous girl tries to escape, but what does this mean for her?
Using the example of Keti's act, the author calls on all women not to tolerate domestic violence, but to fight for their right to a happy life and not be afraid to start a new life. “A person can do the right thing at any time,” says Nicholas.
Another highlight of “Silent Harbor” was the interweaving in the outline of the novel of the detective, thriller and romantic history. This reception formed the basis of the script for the film of the same name, the successful premiere of which took place in 2013.
Best in me
Rating: 4.7
Author: Nicholas Sparks
It was not by chance that we placed Nicholas Sparks' love story “The Best in Me” on the 7th step of our rating. He is the seventeenth in the list of world-famous bestsellers and the most anticipated for readers.
The plotline, already traditional for Sparks, touches at once two directions - the past and the future. Amanda and Dawson are in love with each other since high school. She is the daughter of wealthy parents, he is a simple ordinary guy from a dysfunctional family. Class inequality and behind-the-scenes intrigues over which they have to give up are becoming a barrier to their happiness.
After 25 years, forgotten feelings flare up with a new force, when already adult and accomplished heroes meet again in their hometown. Their feelings are being revived with a new force, but will Amanda leave the family for ghostly happiness?
In addition to the lyrics, in the novel there is crime, conflict, murder and death of one of the heroes. But despite the dramatic denouement, the aftertaste after the book remains lyrically romantic.
The right to film the novel “The Best in Me” was redeemed 6 months before the end of the work on it. The film premiere took place on October 7, 2013.
Guardian angel
Rating: 4.6
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Guardian Angel - another work by Nicholas Sparks, which will not leave indifferent lovers of lyrical prose, occupies the eighth step of the rating.
The novel is traditionally unfolding in North Carolina, in a small seaside town - Swansboro, which is famous for its lovely provincial atmosphere, cozy marinas, shops and boutiques, night clubs.
The author's style is felt from the first pages - Sparks once again extols the pure naive love on the pedestal of human relationships. A pleasant, light narration from the first pages immerses in a special romantic atmosphere - a young widow tries to find love and happiness. The girl has time to meet the real maniac and the man of her dreams, to survive the many twists and turns of fate. But the guardian angel protects Julia and helps to survive all the difficulties. According to Sparks, this is the only novel based on a completely fictional story.
By the way, “Guardian Angel” is still not filmed and still remains without proper attention from Hollywood producers.
Message in a bottle
Rating: 4.5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
“Message in a Bottle” - the 2nd novel by Nicholas Sparks, published back in 1998, falls on the ninth line of our rating.
The author’s love story was inspired by the love story of his parents. During horse riding, Sparks' mother died tragically. His father could not accept the loss, for many years experiencing his pain. And at that moment when a new love came into his life - he died. As Nicholas himself says - he wrote this story not to tell about his grief. Rather, it was an attempt to share a life lesson.
One fine morning, Teresa Osborne - a well-known journalist, divorced single mother, jogging along the coast - finds a bottle with a letter in which widower Garrett Blake sincerely and sensually confesses her love. This is so touching a woman that she decides to find the author of the romantic message. Life gives Garrett a new love hope for happiness. However, this story is not destined to have a happy ending.
The novel was successfully filmed back in 1999. Starring Robin Wright Penn and Kevin Costner.
Selection
Rating: 4.5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Absolutely atypical for Nicholas Sparks novel “Choice”, we determined to 10th place in the ranking. The release date of the book is 2007, although many readers note a kind of split, as if the plot was written by two different people.
On the official website of the writer, this mystery was revealed: the final part of the novel was written in 1996, and the introduction - 11 years later. The idea of writing a new novel came from Sparks immediately after the overwhelming success of the “Diary of Memory”. But many critics believe that if a writer released this novel right away, his career could have ended tragically.
The prototype of the main characters - Gaby and Travis became real people. The image of Travis was taken from the author's brother, and his former assistant turned into a charming main character.
The topic of choice loudly passes through the whole novel. Nicholas stresses that a person always has the right to choose, but sometimes making the right choice is not as easy as it seems.
The story of the novel is as old as the world - a selfless, but tragic love. In order for the novel to end in a “happy end”, the heroes have to overcome many obstacles. And it is so traditional for Sparks.
The novel was filmed in 2016. Film critics have noted that this is the only motion picture based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, in which none of the characters die at the end of the film.
Two by two
Rating: 4.5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
“Twice Two” - a new novel by Nicholas Sparks, released in 2017, is located on the 11th place in the ranking. The book caused a mixed reaction from readers. Many speak about the atypical nature of this work, excessive length and boring presentation. Others admire sentimental prose, pity and scold the beloved characters.
The main action of the novel traditionally takes place in North Carolina, in the city of Charlotte. There is nothing surprising that Sparks put his heroes here - this is an ideal place for joint walks and warm family evenings.
The main role in the novel is assigned to the relationship between father and daughter. The author is based on a true story and shows important life lessons. The breakup of marriage, the upbringing of a daughter by a single father and even same-sex love - all these problems are raised in the pages of the novel and are considered from the point of view of strengthening family relationships.
Sharp turn
Rating: 4.5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
“A sharp turn” - the fifth piece by Nicholas Sparks, published in 2001, is placed on the twelfth grade level. He is not as famous as the other works of the author, due to the lack of on-screen incarnation. But fans speak enthusiastically about the novel.Let “Sharp Turn” is not as strong as the previous works, but it makes you think.
For the period of writing the novel in the life of the author, two events occurred at once - the birth of the third son and the death of a sister. Nicholas admitted that it was a difficult period and he even had to throw away 200 first pages, which “were no good”. The image of the main character - policeman Miles Ryan, the author wrote off from his son-in-law, who was left with small children after the death of his wife.
In the novel three plot lines are intertwined at once - tragic, detective and love. Overcoming obstacles on the way to their happiness, the heroes will need to find a criminal, see ghosts from the past, trust each other and learn to live in a new way.
The rescue
Rating: 4.4
Author: Nicholas Sparks
The novel “Salvation” was the 4th work, released in 2000 from the pen of Nicholas. It is not very well known to the general public for the reason that this book has not been filmed. In our rating, “Salvation” occupies the last, thirteenth step.
Nicholas confesses that “Salvation” is the most personal affair and sometimes it was painful and difficult to write because of the memories. His son, Ryan, was then diagnosed with developmental disorder and speech delay. By the way, now with the boy everything is in order.
Also in the year of writing the novel (1996), the father of the author died, his sister fell ill with cancer, and the Diary of Memory was preparing to enter. All this left a kind of imprint on the plot of the book.
Taylor McAden - works as a lifeguard. One day, he saves a single mom, Daisy, and little Kyle, who suffers from a speech delay. This event becomes fateful in the life of both heroes. From this point on, they learn to love, in spite of all the responsibility they have been given This novel is one of the few Sparks who have a happy ending.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
