Message in a Bottle

Rating:
Summary: Very courageous plot.
Review: The book had a courageous plot because of all the emotions that Sparks sent through the characters. At time it made you doubtful of the storyline. Wheter or not the book could "go out with a bang." It hada a somewhat disappointing and amotional ending, but because of that it really went out with a bang. I will probably remember this book far into the future, and I would probably reccomend it to my friends.

Rating:
Summary: No Reason for Tears
Review: There appears to be a trend in writing today to do exactly what the reader least expects and least wants that is becoming increasingly frustrating. While a good cry is often just the ticket, tears for no good reason are only annoying. It's difficult to explain precisely why I found the ending of Message in a Bottle unsatisfying without spoiling the book for anyone who hasn't read it, but I will say I was similarly dissatisfied with The Horse Whisperer and Cold Mountain. I fail to see any redeeming reason for ending the book the way Mr. Sparks did. Let me give you an example of a sad ending that works: Casablanca. When Humphrey Bogart puts Ingrid Bergman on that plane he does it because he's willingly sacrificing his love for a greater good. Although he's lost his love, he's gained a purpose. Gorgeous. Now, what did Theresa gain in the end of Message in a Bottle? Insight? A new outlook on life and love? Maybe, but those are pretty weak and not sufficient to hold up the end of a book. Sappy romances should have sappy endings. It's rude to jerk the rug out from under the reader without a very good reason for doing so. I'm left feeling as if a stranger snuck up behind my beach chair and dumped a bucket of cold water over my head and then ran away before I could ask why.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, Touching, and Completely Heartbreaking!
Review: I could not put this book down. I find it so hard to come across books that hold my attention but this one grabbed it and never let go. I finished it a few days ago, yet I'm still thinking about Theresa and Garrett and the terrible ending. I thought I would never encounter a sadder ending to a story than City of Angels, but I was wrong. I have not seen the movie yet, but feel I have to. I'm sure it won't beat the book. When I got to the last few pages and realized what was happening, i began to cry and cry and couldn't believe anything so unfair could happen after what these poor souls had been through already. The point of my review is YOU MUST READ THE BOOK!!!! And don't forget the tissue

Rating:
Summary: Plagiarism is a No No!
Review: I haven't read all of the over 500 reviews of this book but I did sample a good portion of them. Has anyone not yet noticed that Mr. Sparks blatantly lifted a couple of lines in his final letter from Garrett from the eloquent letter written by Sullivan Ballou which was used to such great effect in Ken Burns' documentary "The Civil War"?

Rating:
Summary: Went shopping for groceries and came home with a book...
Review: A female reader who hates romance novels, I picked this book up at the market after paging through it while waiting in the check-out line. Heard the book was going to be made into a movie starring Kevin Costner. I read the summary of the plot, it sounded interesting so I tossed the book in the cart. The story line at the beginning was so predictable and the letters the female charactor found were mushy filled with alot dramatic overkill: just the very reasons why I hate romance novels! At this point, I was relieved I only opted for the cheaper paperback version of the book instead of spending the big bucks on a hard copy. Although I was tempted to just skip ahead and read the ending, I didn't. The ending was a complete surprise, and not at all like what I thought would happen. Since I finished the book, my copy has been circulating around the office and several family members have read it as well. Quite a popular book.

Rating:
Summary: Lovely
Review: If you loved THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY or THE TRIUMPH AND THE GLORY, you'll adore this book. I was moved to tears, it was such a beautifully written novel with so many touching scenes.

Rating:
Summary: Too unrealistically romantic, real life is tougher than this
Review: This story is very beautiful. But in a sense too beautiful and romantic to be realistic. The charaters are one sided and simple in heart and mind. Therefore his death at the end feels too abrupt. However this pure story might be a refinment to the dry hearts of the modern people.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, but very sad.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I had previously read the notebook, and after reading it I just knew I had to read this one.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking!!
Review: This is a book that I could not put down!! Nicholas Sparks has done it again!! This book had me in tears like never before! I highly recommend this book. Outstanding!

Rating:
Summary: Yawn!
Review: Trite, cliched, a glorified harliquin romance. Nice if you're looking for something to pass the time or enjoy having your emotions easily manipulated by dripping sentimentality, but if you actually want to read something other then the standard soap opera fare then don't waste your time. I tried really hard to like this book, but it's predictablity and lack of depth (yes, it dealt with "deep" subjects but in the shallowist way possible) left me cold.