xu_'s review against another edition
3.0
This was one of the older novels of Sparks. I recently read the Last Song and I did not like it as much as I did A Walk to Remember and The Notebook because of the different tone the author had. But when I read Message in the Bottle's first pages, I thought that it was good to read the old Sparks. In the beginning it was fine, I was reading through all of the details. However, when she was looking for him, up until the point that she finally found him, I found myself at the same time losing interest in the story. I had no idea what to exactly expect at that point but then I was really having a hard time going on and continue reading.
So I let it go for a few days, and started reading other books.
I just went back to it today and before even starting I tried to look for plot summaries somewhere online so I can see what eventually happens, maybe something interesting would happen in the end.
Luckily I had faith in Sparks, and I thought there would be some tragedy in the end. I wondered (and wanted to know what it was) so I decided to read through it. Although I scanned mostly for important-looking paragraphs and dialogues, it was only until the last few pages of the book did I start reading all of it.
It was a good ending. I get the message this novel was trying to impart, and though the plot was a bit rough or bumpy, I am glad that I at least gave the ending a chance. I gave a tear, but nothing more. I felt how hard it was going to be for the protagonist, but at the same time happy that they met each other at least.
The whole thing is so ironic! If it were written in a more condensed manner it could have been better. The Notebook was short and sweet, and even the lack of words it was more than enough.
So I let it go for a few days, and started reading other books.
I just went back to it today and before even starting I tried to look for plot summaries somewhere online so I can see what eventually happens, maybe something interesting would happen in the end.
Luckily I had faith in Sparks, and I thought there would be some tragedy in the end. I wondered (and wanted to know what it was) so I decided to read through it. Although I scanned mostly for important-looking paragraphs and dialogues, it was only until the last few pages of the book did I start reading all of it.
It was a good ending. I get the message this novel was trying to impart, and though the plot was a bit rough or bumpy, I am glad that I at least gave the ending a chance. I gave a tear, but nothing more. I felt how hard it was going to be for the protagonist, but at the same time happy that they met each other at least.
The whole thing is so ironic! If it were written in a more condensed manner it could have been better. The Notebook was short and sweet, and even the lack of words it was more than enough.
kennelledy's review against another edition
3.0
Spoilers.
I must say, this book was going along fine until he fricken dies! WTF? He's finally got his life in order and things are going well for he, so clearly he needs to be killed off. I find Nicholas Sparks books predictable, so I haven't been able to get through a number of them. This one was good, but very depressing at the end - unnecessarily so, I thought.
I must say, this book was going along fine until he fricken dies! WTF? He's finally got his life in order and things are going well for he, so clearly he needs to be killed off. I find Nicholas Sparks books predictable, so I haven't been able to get through a number of them. This one was good, but very depressing at the end - unnecessarily so, I thought.
danapr's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book but I literally threw it across it the room when I finished it because I hated the ending.
kelseybee17's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a very interesting concept, and it being by Nicholas Sparks; I really doubted anything would go wrong with it.
I was wrong unfortunately. Don't get my wrong, I really liked this book. I loved Theresa as a main character, I like the way it started, and I liked how some of it was set in Boston instead of always in North Carolina. His writing was incredible as always. The story he told was wonderful and heart breaking.
There was one flaw in the book though. The character that is Garrett Blake. He was whiny and annoying and I just really hated his character. I think Sparks tried to make him too perfect and the character just came off wrong. But because of Garrett... This book only got three stars.
I was wrong unfortunately. Don't get my wrong, I really liked this book. I loved Theresa as a main character, I like the way it started, and I liked how some of it was set in Boston instead of always in North Carolina. His writing was incredible as always. The story he told was wonderful and heart breaking.
There was one flaw in the book though. The character that is Garrett Blake. He was whiny and annoying and I just really hated his character. I think Sparks tried to make him too perfect and the character just came off wrong. But because of Garrett... This book only got three stars.
jessad15's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful book by Nicholas Sparks!!! I was very upset that Theresa and Garrett did ever get to be together though. It was sad that Garrett realized how much he loved her and was ready to let go of Catherine to be with Theresa but didn't ever get to be. It was a great book though!!!
geckoedit's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm. Spoiler alert...His writing style can be poetic, and the plot was okaaaay (creepy woman stalks good writer to death?). But this one felt like it was alternating between being a How-to book (making steak, scuba diving, raising a child etc) and being an overly melodramatic Mills and Boon bodice ripper. Maybe I'm not divorced enough to get it. *shrug*
estherdb's review against another edition
1.0
Every once in a while, I pick up a book thinking "Oh, well, humour me". And this book - like I expected - was one big, sad cliché. Typical Sparks: sentences that make you gag with corniness, you can't be a complete human being as a single, dramatic plot twists, perfect (but boring and utterly flat) characters, a fair share of first world problems, lots of romantic BS about true love, plot-propelling secondary characters, the obligatory tearjerker moments and a sprinkle of God.
I don't even know why I still do this to myself.
I don't even know why I still do this to myself.
Spoiler
P.S.: what kind of experienced sailor (and diver, to boot) leaves his emergency kit in a place that's practically unreachable when your boat's in danger of sinking, and/or isn't wearing his life jacket when sailing in stormy weather?novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"Thrown to the waves, and to fate, the bottle could have ended up anywhere. Instead, it is found just three weeks after it begins its journey. Theresa Osborne, divorced and the mother of a twelve-year-old son, discovers it during a seaside vacation from her job as a Boston newspaper columnist. Inside is a letter that opens with, "My Dearest Catherine, I miss you my darling, as I always do, but today is particularly hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together." For Garrett, the message is the only way he knows to express his undying love for a woman he has lost. For Theresa, wary of romance since her husband shattered her trust, the message raises questions that intrigue her. Challenged by the mystery, and driven to find Garrett by emotions she does not fully understand, Theresa begins a search that takes her to a sunlit coastal town and an unexpected confrontation. Brought together either by chance or something more powerful, Theresa and Garrett's lives come together in a tale that resonates with our deepest hopes for finding everlasting love." (From Amazon)
I picked up this book for two dollars so thought why not. Not one of my favourite Spark's novel and I did not much care for the movie either. It is a cute romantic story but I just did not feel anything for the characters' romance. I was more interested Garrett and his first love than Garrett and Theresa.
"Thrown to the waves, and to fate, the bottle could have ended up anywhere. Instead, it is found just three weeks after it begins its journey. Theresa Osborne, divorced and the mother of a twelve-year-old son, discovers it during a seaside vacation from her job as a Boston newspaper columnist. Inside is a letter that opens with, "My Dearest Catherine, I miss you my darling, as I always do, but today is particularly hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together." For Garrett, the message is the only way he knows to express his undying love for a woman he has lost. For Theresa, wary of romance since her husband shattered her trust, the message raises questions that intrigue her. Challenged by the mystery, and driven to find Garrett by emotions she does not fully understand, Theresa begins a search that takes her to a sunlit coastal town and an unexpected confrontation. Brought together either by chance or something more powerful, Theresa and Garrett's lives come together in a tale that resonates with our deepest hopes for finding everlasting love." (From Amazon)
I picked up this book for two dollars so thought why not. Not one of my favourite Spark's novel and I did not much care for the movie either. It is a cute romantic story but I just did not feel anything for the characters' romance. I was more interested Garrett and his first love than Garrett and Theresa.
jelenabts7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
karmen12's review against another edition
5.0
Nicholas Sparks has always been and will forever be one of my favorite authors. His stories take you to a place where true love exists and is found in the most interesting ways. "Message In A Bottle" is just one of his incredible stories. This incredible book is told in a way where you can feel what all of the characters are feeling and you can see what they are seeing. That is why I gave this story five stars. Not only is this book written a beautiful way, it also tells a wonderful story about two people who live a thousand miles apart and find love. Unfortunately, like all of Sparks' books, there is a devastating ending that just makes you want to cry.