Dear John

Book review by Jane
My son’s girlfriend recommended this book to me, and says Mr. Sparks is one of her favorite authors. Joel of Book Reader’s Traverse recommended the movie based on The Notebook by this same author to me awhile ago and I never saw it or read the book, so I can’t compare the book to this one. Which means, standing on its own, it was a very good book. I was quite touched by the love story that had some twists and turns in it that I didn't expect until it was finished, and then it made perfect sense.

The young woman, Savannah, is a good student who meets a serviceman, John, by way of his rescuing her purse from the water. The love story develops from there, but turns into a long distance relationship as she continues in school and he goes back to Germany. He was all set to come home, but then 911 happened, at which time John signed up for another tour out of patriotism. After that, one thing leads to another and he ended up getting a letter, as the title suggests. Their story does not end there, as routine life continues and human tragedy comes to visit both John and Savannah.

There is a side story about John’s relationship with his father that is quite touching, as he was raised only by his father. Savannah plays a role, as she gets John to see things about his father. He comes to know his father somewhat during the story while on leave.

I came away from this story knowing that love makes us all better people and that the soldiers make incredible personal sacrifices for their country. I’ve said this before; sometimes a fiction story can say it better than non-fiction writing. I recommend this book.

Jane.