A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

“A Walk to Remember “

Nicholas Sparks, one of the New York Time Best Selling Author wrote his third novel entitled “A Walk to Remember.” It had been published in the year 1999 of October under Warner Books. The book is about the story of a 57 year old guy, and how he found his greatest love back when his seventeen. He tells how this love changes him in a way he didn’t think he should be.

The novel is written dedicated to his family, especially to his sister Danielle Sparks Lewis who become his inspiration in writing the novel. The story is fictional but some scenes are based on real life situation. He applied the experience of its own sister.

Synopsis:

The story is about a guy named Landon Carter, who is at the age of 57. It’s about how his life changes back when he was seventeen. He was Landon a reclusive guy, but everything changes when he asked Jamie Sullivan to be his date on their school party. Jamie is a good girl. She always carries a bible and always wore her ugly sweater. They are totally different but love is really great. The day he came to ask Jamie, he didn’t know that it will be the start of something new. Something he didn’t look forward to happen. On how he fall in love with someone named Jamie Sullivan.

Reaction:

The first time I’ve got interested about A Walk to Remember is when I’m in my third year of high school. I always read stories in wattpad and the author always mention it. They said that it was a great movie which inspired them to write their own stories. That time I didn’t know it was a novel because they always mentioned it as a movie. I got a chance to watch it during my senior high, indeed it was great. Now, I needed to critic its book. At first, I didn’t want to read it because I already know the flow of the story. What’s the use right? But as I’ve read the book, I realized that I was so wrong. The movie is truly different from the book. Yes, it has the same concept but the flows of the scenes are entirely different. There are also some scenes that are informational which wasn’t shown in the movie. Reading the novel is better than watching its film. You only need to imagine that you’re on the story, and imagine everything that is happening.

I was astounded on how this novel makes me feel the same emotion when I watch its movie. I even think I’ve shown more emotion now that I read it. It feels like it was all brand new. I can still remember this quotation from the book, “Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and endure whatever comes.” This has been my favorite line from the novel. That wasn’t a simple quotation, it has a deeper meaning. It gives as an idea on what we need to do with our life. We must know the real purpose why we are living here, in this place. We are not here to focus on ourselves but for us to be part of the others life. To give them happiness, hope, and wisdom is our role in this world.

A Walk to Remember wants us to remind that everything has its own purposes. Our life is always on God’s hand. You just need to have faith in him and surrender everything to him. For sure, everything will takes place.

This story show how great can love is. Nothing is impossible that even miracle do come true.

Conclusion:

A remarkable book had been written again by Nicholas Sparks. He really knows how to touch our hearts. He has showed us the essence of life. On how powerful what we call love, that it can even do some miracle. This novel is a must read one. It has a theme that everyone can relate with.

Film Review

“Dead Poet Society”

Dead Poets Society is a film directed by Peter Weir. This drama film was shown during 1989 starring Robin Williams. The story shows on how a teacher can live a great impact to his students. And how can he change the perception of his students. He also tells his student on why they need to seize the day.

Characters:

Protagonist

Robin Williams as Mr. John Keating

Ethan Hawke as Todd Anderson

Robert Sean Leonard as Neil Perry

Josh Charles as Knox Overstreet

Dylan Kussman as Richard Cameron

Allelon Ruggiero as Steven Meeks

James Waterston as Gerard Pitts

Gale Hansen as Charlie Dalton

Antagonist

Norman Lloyd as Gale Nolan

Kurtwood Smith as Mr. Perry

Synopsis:

The story started during the time 1959. There is this guy named Todd Anderson who will take his senior high at Walton Academy. Walton Academy is a school for elite which offer prep boarding. Fortunately, his roommate is one of the most promising students at their school. Neil Perry became his roommate and the friend of Neil accepted him in their group. They are Calm Knox, Richard Cameron, Steven Meeks, Gerard Pitts, and Charlie Dalton.

At the first day of their class, they were surprised by Mr. John Keating. He is their new teacher in English which is an alumnus of Walton. This educator has a different way of teaching his student. While having their lesson, he asked his students to stand on the desk, he even let them walk in a courtyard with their own way. Keating also instruct them to reap out the pages of their book in poetry. He was the one who motivated the boys to see the world in a different perspective and seize every day of their life.

Reaction:

“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”. The Latin term for this is carpe diem means seize the day. An extraordinary life to be with, an abundant life. A movie that turns some of my perceptions upside down. Not a simply film but a wake-up call for everyone. A call for makeover. I adore Dead Poets Society for the reason that beyond the appearance is the thought of passion and a purpose driven life.

It thought me that achieving all of my goals in life is not just the center of everything because if there is a great things surely there will also be greater and greatest things in life. Invisible by naked eyes but clearly seen by the heart. Just what Mr. Keating said, “Yes indeed it is a battle of war and the casualties could be our hearts and souls”. I was amazed at every scene because it was my first experience watching a film wherein my focus is not on the characters but what they want to import. I was also caught by this question, “What will your verse be?” Really, I meditate these words and asked myself if what verse I can contribute to this play. To learn from the experience of the past, to forget what is behind and to savor every moment. Poetry is more than poetry, beyond them is the life. One of the lessons I learn is that we do have different voices and I must strive to find my own voice.

Maybe some people find the Dead Poets Society film a weird one but for me as I focus my attention on it, thousands of my emotions is on slide and I can’t explain it through words but all I can express is that it is splendid. We must seize every step we take. In our final moments we all realize what life is all about. Don’t wait until you’re on your deathbed to figure out what matters most. To look things in different way, it’s not really a risk but an adventure and maybe by trying the things we thought is silly can be the better one. Stop acting and show who we really are and what the desires of our hearts are. We can go anywhere and can do anything and were not trapped in this life.

Conclusion:

I have watched many films but this one is something different. Tough I may say that the quality of the movie is not that good, maybe because it has been shown long time ago, but the message they want to convey is clear. It is something we need to remember and apply in our daily life. It was so interesting, touching, and knowledgeable. As a future mentor, we must really watch this kind of movie. This movie will help educator to understand his/her students. It will give us idea on how to handle and how to have a good relationship with your students. Someday, when I become a teacher, I will try my best to be Mr. John Keating to my class.