Nicholas Sparks’s novel, A Bend in the Road, is written about a middle aged policeman, Miles Ryan, whose high school sweetheart and wife, Missy, was killed in a hit-and-run car accident while on a walk one afternoon. The accident leaves Miles to care for their young son, Jonah. Though Miles spends the next two years of his life searching for evidence of who was driving the car, his efforts were in vain. After the accident, Miles feels that he can never be happy without Missy. Through these hard emotional times Jonah seems to be the only motivational force in his life, that is until he meets Sarah Andrews. Sarah is a beautiful young woman who has just moved into town and is a teacher at the local elementary school. Like Miles, Sarah has had a difficult past. She used to be married to what seemed like the perfect man. However, once a problem arose, Sarah’s inability to have children, he wanted out of the marriage and filed for a divorce.
Sarah is Jonah’s teacher and promptly realizes that Jonah is having trouble in just about every subject. She calls Miles in for a parent- teacher conference. While talking not only about Jonah, but also town gossip, the two realize that they have feelings for each other. Over the next couple of months they become very close. Both Miles and Sarah think everything is perfect until new evidence on the Missy Ryan case surfaces and the new information proves capable of extinguishing the flame between these two lovers. Over the course of the next week or so Miles Ryan and Sarah Andrews face difficult obstacles that will test both their morals and their relationship.
I found myself wondering who killed Missy Ryan. Was it really an accident? And can true love withstand all circumstances?
As I read this novel, I fell in love with the characters and the small town in which they lived. Their lives seemed so normal and relatable, however this did not take away from the quality of this novel. There was never a dull or unimportant part of the story. It seems every page brings the reader closer to knowing the truth about the accident. This book is different than anything I have ever read. The difference of this book compared to the other novels I have read makes it one of my favorite books. I have always been an avid reader, but I have never had a literary experience quite like this. Once I picked up the book, I found myself unable to stop reading, always wanting to satisfy my hunger for the truth. Who killed Missy? The result of this restless hunger was a book read in three days. The only complaint I have about the entire novel is that it did not last long enough. I absolutely love this story and I was left craving more when I finished the last page.
Nicholas Sparks writes of places he knows well. He lives in North Carolina and spent most of his life in the two Carolinas, so he mostly writes about small town life in either North or South Carolina. I have lived in the same region my whole life which contributes to a feeling of connection to the characters and setting of Sparks’s novels. After reading A Bend in the Road, I felt that I could travel to New Bern, North Carolina and see Miles, Sarah, and Jonah. The book was very believable because of these relatable characters.
I would most definitely recommend this book to all who like Nicholas Sparks’s other novels such as The Notebook and A Walk to Remember. Although a name like Nicholas Sparks on the cover my turn away some (mostly boys), I encourage everyone to read this novel. I feel that whoever reads A Bend in the Road will be truly touched by the heart-wrenching story of loss, heartbreak, and second chances for a happy ending. Yes Nicholas Sparks is capable of a happy ending.
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When I first was scrolling down the page on what to comment about this novel review caught my eye. I have often wondered whether or not a person should re-marry after the death of their spouse. I would say to remarry would be both good and bad because you would have someone else to share life with but bad because you would feel guilty for having another relationship with a person other than the first. Then if one is the person replacing the spot of one gone would it be stressful? How would one try to fill the spot of another without having known them. They would probably always wonder whether or not their new spouse loved them the same or less than the first. If one can put problems like that aside I say go for it, but in the case of the book I’m torn. The question of whether or not Missy was murdered or not would hang over the relationship, without being able to be overlooked. The memories and love of the one gone wouldn’t disappear with the new relationship. I look forward to reading this book to see how both lovers work it out, and I’m curious to see if Missy was murdered or not…talk about cliff hangers! :] I want to start reading that book right now!!
ReplyDeleteI love NIcholas Sparks, all of his books are great. But i have not read this book. This novel sounds very interesting to me because it has mystery and love put into one. It deals with heartbreak and falling in love and seems like it keeps you guessing about what will happen. I think your post about it was great! It caught my eye by the way you explained the characters and their problems. I agree that the characters are very relatable and real and it really attracts my attention. I can't wait to read this book and find out what happen to Missy and what happens between Sarah and Miles, and how Jonah deals with the loss of his mother and a new guardian in his life.
ReplyDeleteI have never read any of Nicholas Sparks' books, but the way you word this review seems like A Bend in the Road is a great read! I have, however, seen the film adaptations of The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, and A Walk to Remember. If Nicholas Sparks can throw out that many bestsellers, I'm sure this novel isn't any different. I love how you said you could relate to the setting and characters of the novel. I, too, have lived in this area my entire life and I hope I can share that experience of relating to the characters as well. I know you didn’t tell us the ending on purpose and I’m very eager to go to Barnes & Noble and pick up a copy right now!!
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