Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
THE GUARDIAN
By Nicholas Sparks
My friends and I realized the other day that we’ve been confusing Nicholas Sparks with Nicholas Evans. Nicholas Evans wrote The Horse Whisperer – great book. Nicholas Sparks wrote A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle, and his latest bestseller – The Guardian.
The Guardian is a love story, like all of Sparks’ books, but it’s so much more. Sparks explained in an author’s note to the book that he set out to write a love story, first and foremost, but also a compelling thriller. I think Sparks is right when he observes that in thrillers there is often a love interest, but it’s never the focus of the story. It’s always a side note. Well, in The Guardian, the love story is the centerpiece of the novel and the thriller aspects revolve around it. And wow – what a thriller! I found myself shallow breathing for the last 20 pages.
Dog lovers will also love The Guardian because one of the main characters of the book is the Great Dane that Julie Barenson’s young husband left her before he died. Julie tries to go on with her life after losing her husband, but when she finally decides to date again, does she pick the wrong guy?
Number two on the New York Times Bestseller List, Nicholas Sparks’ new novel is The Guardian. On the Book Beat for KSL Newsradio 1160, I’m Amanda Dickson.
