Three Weeks With My Brother

Rating:
Summary: Three Weeks With My Brother (CD edition)
Review: This is one of the most wonderful, inspirational, and moving books that I have read. At first, I didn't realize that the authors were Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook and Message In A Bottle, among other best selling books, and his brother. I hope this doesn't give anything away except that I am kinda dumb when it comes to remembering authors and titles. The book is really an autobiography covering Nick and his entire family. He covers their many trials and tribulations and still manages to see the good that came out of what for me and others, I suppose, would be absolutely devastating and horrible things to happen. The descriptions of his family members, especially his wife, are outstanding and again food for thought and inspiration. We see how ordinary people can be extraordinary when you know them better.

I listened to this book on CD while driving alone to and from Florida and in a pretty deep depression not being helped much by medications. The CD was really selected because of the travel theme. I love individual travelogues that have a literary and philosophical point of view and have visions of writing something similar myself.

While Three Weeks With My Brother could easily be depressing to some, especially like me, suffering from severe depression and still grieving for a loved one, I found it to be both sad and uplifting as Nick and his brother talked out their life, including the ups and downs. They spoke from the vantage point of both being on what anyone would say is a material up, but they carried with them memories of severe tragedies in their lives, mostly brought about through their unusually strong family ties and love.

I feel the CD edition might be better than the print version since the narrator is so good and the book is both interior thoughts of the author and many conversations. I wondered if they were recorded or all taken from notes, but they were certainly believable.

Anyone facing tough times in their personal life should read this book or listen to the audio. You will be inspired, I feel, if you go to the end. You might be inspired, as I have been, to try once again to take a long trip to think over and contemplate my life. Now I do this in the dead of night at home, making my neighbors think I am either a recluse or some type of secret agent.

Rating:
Summary: A VIVID VOICE PERFORMANCE
Review: Who wouldn't want to go on a trip around the world, especially in the company of bestselling author Nicholas Sparks? Well, not everyone can go around the world, but listeners now have an opportunity to hear about a once-in-a-lifetime trip undertaken by Nicholas and his brother Micah.

Voice performer Henry Leyva brings to vivid life not only the recollections of the authors but also some of the world's mysterious and best known far-off spots, Easter Island, Ayers Rock, Machu Picchu, and more.

Perhaps more important than the physical journey "Three Weeks with My Brother" is also a journey of self-discovery as the two share memories of their youth. They are now the only remaining members of the Sparks family - their mother died in 1989; their father was killed in an automobile accident, and they lost their sister to a brain tumor.

As the trip begins both are grown men with families of their own for whom they deeply care. Yet, both seem to realize that the opportunity to make this trip may not happen again. Listeners will be glad that they made that choice as they listen, perhaps reflecting upon or even reconnecting with members of their own families.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: A VIVID VOICE PERFORMANCE
Review: Who wouldn't want to go on a trip around the world, especially in the company of bestselling author Nicholas Sparks? Well, not everyone can go around the world, but listeners now have an opportunity to hear about a once-in-a-lifetime trip undertaken by Nicholas and his brother Micah.

Voice performer Henry Leyva brings to vivid life not only the recollections of the authors but also some of the world's mysterious and best known far-off spots, Easter Island, Ayers Rock, Machu Picchu, and more.

Perhaps more important than the physical journey "Three Weeks with My Brother" is also a journey of self-discovery as the two share memories of their youth. They are now the only remaining members of the Sparks family - their mother died in 1989; their father was killed in an automobile accident, and they lost their sister to a brain tumor.

As the trip begins both are grown men with families of their own for whom they deeply care. Yet, both seem to realize that the opportunity to make this trip may not happen again. Listeners will be glad that they made that choice as they listen, perhaps reflecting upon or even reconnecting with members of their own families.

- Gail Cooke