The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Copyright 2008
Vision, Hatchette Book Group
384 pages including acknowledgments and epilogue
Edition: paperback mass market
Author website: http://www.nicholassparks.com/
Recommended for a mature audience: war, death, references to sex
Recommended for a mature audience: war, death, references to sex
(from the back cover) After U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman buried int he dirt during his tour of duty in Iraq, he experiences a sudden streak of luck, winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph--his lucky charm.
Back home in Colorado, Thibault can't seem to get the woman in the photograph out of his mind and he sets out on a journey across the country to find her. But Thibault can't seem to get the woman in the photograph out of his mind and he sets out on a journey across the country to find her. But Thibault is caught off guard by the strong attraction he feels when his search leads him to Elizabeth, a divorced mother in North Carolina with a young son--and he keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate love affair, Thibault's secret will soon threaten to tear them apart, destroying not only their love, but also their lives.
Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, The Lucky One is an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love.
The Lucky One is the story of a young marine who, after returning from war, pursues his destiny, whatever that may mean. His friend Victor, a strong believer in such things, is persuaded that the photo Logan found has preserved his life in-so-much that Victor deemed it possible to remain alive during the war by being in close proximity to Logan. Logan is not convinced. However, he and Victor come home from war while many of their brigade aren't so lucky. Still in possession of the photo of a young woman, Logan decides to follow Victor's advice when he tells him he must repay the debt. He must find the woman in the photo.
"It's a sign," he said. "She's your good-luck charm....
"She was tonight."
"Not just tonight. You found that picture for a reason. No one claimed it for a reason. You took it today for a reason. Only you were meant to have it."....
"But you can't ever lose the picture."
"No?"
"If you do, then the charm works in reverse."
"Which means what?"
"It means you'll be unlucky. And in war, unlucky is the last thing you want to be." (The Lucky One p. 27-28)
Nicholas Sparks weaves a story of love, of mystery, of intrigue and suspense in this novel. This was my second time reading it and I enjoyed it immensely, despite knowing how the story twists and the plot thickens. He develops each character so the reader feels they know the individual. From the quirky, intelligent and loveable Nana; .
Beth motioned to the set. "How're the Braves doing?"
"Like a bunch of carrots."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Can carrots play baseball?"
"I guess not."
"Then you have your answer." (The Lucky One p. 84. Conversation between Beth and her grandmother) to Deputy Keith Clayton, Beth's possessive, power hungry and odd ex-husband;...
"He was obsessed with you even though you'd never met, like someone who gets obsessed with movie stars. And what did he do? He hunted you down, but seeing you from afar-or simply meeting you-wasn't enough. Instead, he had to become part of your life. That's what dangerous stalkers do, Beth." (The Lucky One. p. 327)
to (Elizabeth) Beth the school teacher, divorcee and mother, who feels inordinantly unlucky in love;
"She found it hard to breathe.....
On the drive home, her mind flashed from one image to the next, a kaleidoscope of sight and sound and smell. She tried to convince herself that Keith was lying, grasping for a way to rationalize his news. It was possible, considering the way he'd lied in the past, and yet...." (The Lucky One. pp 329-330)
to Logan the drifter, ex-marine, mysterious and brooding. In the midst of it all is young Ben - a boy at odds with his father, adored by his mother and grandmother - who finds in Logan a kinship and in Zeus, Logan's german shepherd, a doting companion. Sparks introduces us and seduces us so we are right there with the characters cheering them on, chastising at times, and eager to see justice. The sudden plot turn near the end leaves the readers hanging until the epilogue. A remarkable tool the author has developed to keep you guessing, until the last moment, if all will end happily ever after.
Rated 4.5/5
Linking up with The Book Vixen for the Nicholas Sparks reading challenge http://www.thebookvixen.com/2010/11/2011-reading-challenge-sign-up-nicholas.html
Nice review. I used to avoid Sparks because his reads were too lite and predictable.... I cant say that anymore. I have experienced a couple good reads of his recently.
ReplyDeleteI really love Nicolas Sparks but ....come on!!! first off the main character logan didnt have much of a personality. The begining of the story was well developed but the end was a total wash. What a waste. I felt more compasion for the dog then i did for anyone else in the whole story. And then finally when something tradgic happens i dont feel any sympathy for the characters.
ReplyDeleteNicholas Sparks is one of the most prominent authors today. I especially like the plot twist you mentioned. And the fact that he uses a picture as a lucky charm... that is amazing, how did he think of that? Still, it is a great idea, I might use it in one of my love stories I am writing. This is the best review I've ever seen for a Nicholas Sparks book. Good luck and happy blogging!
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