A Walk To Remember
Description
Every April, when the wind blows from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood...
Did You Know
That Jamie was named after Nicholas's editor, Jamie Raab?
That Landon is the name of his third son?
That Nicholas Sparks recorded his own reading for the audio version of the novel?
Description
Every April, when the wind blows from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood...
Film/TV Sales
A major motion picture, starring Mandy Moore and directed by Adam Shankman, was released in 2002. It's widely available on DVD.
Background Info
I'm often asked which novel is my favorite, but that's a question I can't really answer. It's like trying to choose between my children, and all I can say is that I like them all for different reasons.
I can say however, that A Walk to Remember was my favorite novel to write. I enjoyed the process of capturing the voice of a smart-alecky 17-year-old kid. Likewise with Jamie Sullivan. There was something intrinsically sweet about her character that gradually seemed to take over the book. It was also the only novel that made me cry while writing.
A Walk to Remember was inspired by my sister.
In many ways, Jamie Sullivan was my younger sister. Like Jamie, my sister was sweet. Like Jamie, my sister had tremendously strong faith. Like Jamie, my sister loved church. Like Jamie, my sister wasn't popular at school. Like Jamie, my sister was always cheerful. Like Jamie, all my sister wanted in life was to get married.
And like Jamie, my sister got cancer.
Like Jamie, my sister met someone. And like Landon, there was a long period of time when this fellow couldn't imagine himself marrying a girl like her. And yet, in the end, he couldn't help himself. Even when he knew she was sick, even when he knew that she might not make it, this man asked my sister to marry him.
It was just about the sweetest thing that's ever been done for anyone, and I suppose I wrote this novel not only so that you could get to know my sister, but so that you would know what a wonderful thing it was that her husband once did for her.
Sadly, my sister died in June 2000. She was thirty-three years old.
Notes on Writing the Book
In writing this novel, there were a few challenges, though the actual work proceeded more smoothly than it had in previous novels. In some ways, the story seemed almost inspired, and I not only enjoyed the writing process, but sometimes I was even surprised by the turns the story took.
The major challenge lay in blending of spirituality into the text. Though faith is a powerful element of my own life, when I set out to write a novel, I am guided by the simple thought of writing a story that most people will enjoy. Since religion and faith vary greatly among my readers, it was difficult to write such a story with a balance that wouldn't offend anyone. Nor did I want to preach to anyone. That's not the purpose of a novel.
The reason I wanted to include a spiritual element in the book was simple: This was a story of the beauty, power and innocence of first love. The characters were young and on a personal level (one defined by my own morals and values), I wanted these two kids to be deeply in love, yet without the physical intimacy that normally accompanies such deep love. In other words, I didn't want them to engage in pre-marital sex, and though my other novels have included that element (I do write love stories), had I done that with two young people, a great many readers would have been offended.
That was also the reason I set the novel in the 1950s. I always want my novels to be believable, and back then, things were different.
I also wanted the novel to show the power of faith. Ironically, in setting out to write about first love (which I did), I created a strong redemptive element in the novel. I suppose that came from Jamie's faith, and though it wasn't intended, I think by the end, redemption was one of the more powerful elements of the novel.
As with The Notebook, the prologue was written last.
A Walk to Remember was also a novel in which the ending changed before my very eyes. As for the ending itself and what really happened, it's probably the most frequently asked question I receive though the mail. "Did Jamie live or die?" If you want to know, see FAQs about A Walk to Remember.
On a final note, A Walk to Remember was picked up by the Christian Book Club, Crossings, as well as Scholastic. It is appropriate for children twelve and up.
Reviews
Bittersweet. . . A tragic yet spiritual love story.
-- Variety
A sweet tale of young but everlasting love. . . Nicholas Sparks knows how to tug at a reader's heartstrings.
-- Chicago Sun-Times
Sparks proves once again that he is a master at pulling heartstrings. . . will enthrall Sparks's numerous fans.
-- Booklist
Poignantly explores the innocence of first love. . . will touch the hearts of readers everywhere.
-- Anniston Star
The "Love Story" for the millennium. . . manages to grab your heart and squeeze it. . . probably Sparks's most romantic novel yet.
-- Boca Raton Daily Sun
FAQ
Did Jamie live or die at the end of the novel?
As I mentioned in the notes, this is the most frequently asked question I receive. As far as I can tell, about 70% of the people think Jamie passed away, another 30% believe she lived, and when asking the question, they offer ''proof'' for their reasoning. Isn't it said that good books insp ...
What was the inspiration for this novel?
My sister. See Background Information on A Walk to Remember.
Was this a real experience for you or was the story made-up?
The majority of the story was made-up, though certain parts did have their basis in reality. See Background Information on A Walk to Remember.
Are you from Beaufort, North Carolina?
No. I live near there.
Did you have the title of the book before you wrote it, or did the title come from the book?
It came from the book. As soon as I wrote those words, I knew that was the title.
Why didn't Hegbert like Landon?
A close reading of the story will answer that question, but the answer is largely two-fold. Hegbert had a problem with the way Landon's grandfather had accumulated his wealth, and Landon himself is sort of aimless. Also realize that Hegbert is secretly fearful for his daughter and doesn't w ...
Is there any parallel between Landon and something in your own life?
Oh, I don't know. Landon is a typical teenage boy, and at one time, I was one of those as well, so I could relate to what he was thinking. But the funny thing is, despite what people read in the newspapers, I think most teenagers have pretty good hearts. Landon was no exception, and once he re ...
Book Club/Discussion Questions
1. How does Landon’s mother play the role of both mother and father? Is her influence enough to make up for his father’s absence?
2. Conversely, how does Hegbert play the role of both mother and father? Do you think Hegbert should have remarried when Jamie was younger? Would Jamie have become a different person if he had?
3. Jamie accepts Landon's offer to attend the homecoming dance, and while there, she helps him not only get out of a fight, but cleans Angela up, making for a less than perfect evening. Would Landon have come to love Jamie if the “date” had been nicer? Would Jamie have asked him to be in the Christmas play?
4. Christianity plays a large role in both Jamie’s and Hegbert's lives. Which character seems to lead more of a Christian life? Should Jamie have been more outspoken about her faith?
5. Why did Landon feel both a kinship and a rivalry with Eric? What was it about them that gave them such a special bond?
6. What are the major themes of the novel? How are they related?
7. For a long period, Landon refuses to admit to himself that he might like Jamie. Why does he refuse to admit this -- because of his friends or because of his own fears? Why, if he truly feels this, why does he often act in just the opposite way?
8. When Landon says he loves Jamie for the very first time, does he? How does his love change as the novel progresses?
Resource
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/A-Walk-to-Remember.id-200.html
Foreign Sales
- France / Laffont
- Germany / Heyne
- Italy / Sperling & Kupfer
- Japan / Academy Shuppan
- Poland / Albatros
- Spain / Emece Editores
- Spain (Catalan) / Ediciones 62
- Sweden / Kjellbergs
- Thai / Matichon
- Turkey / Altin Kitaplar
- UK / Little Brown UK
Published: 1999