The Wedding

September 1, 2003
The wistful, reflective tone of Sparks's newest love story shines through in Wopat's competent telling, but his characterizations, particularly of the book's Southern-bred females, are hampered by the deep tenor of his voice and his accent-less approach. However, his portrayal of methodical attorney Wilson Lewis is spot on. Realizing for the first time that his "innocent neglect" has led his relationship with his wife of 30 years to become stale, Wilson decides to court her. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how or where to start. Enter Noah Calhoun, Wilson's sage-like father-in-law, whose picture-perfect romance is depicted in Sparks's 1996 debut, The Notebook. Wilson now lives in a home for the elderly and spends his days watching over a swan that he believes holds his late wife's spirit. With Noah's patient guidance, and with the wedding of Wilson's daughter fast approaching, Wilson learns how to be the husband his wife deserves. Snippets of music announce the beginning and end of each chapter and complement particularly emotional moments. While this sweetly sentimental audio may be too subdued for a long, tiring drive, it will satisfy listeners looking for a calming nighttime diversion. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Forecasts, Aug. 11).

August 11, 2003
Sparks's 1996 debut novel, The Notebook, was a fast and easy read that sold millions upon millions of copies. Other bestselling love stories followed (Message in a Bottle; A Walk to Remember; The Guardian), but Sparks's fans have from the very beginning eagerly anticipated a sequel to the romantic tale of Allie and Noah Calhoun. The wait is now over. Attorney Wilson Lewis has been married to Noah and Allie's daughter, Jane, for 30 years. Wilson and Jane have raised three children and lived a satisfying and prosperous life in the bucolic town of New Bern, N.C. After forgetting his anniversary, Wilson realizes that the passion and romance have gone out of his marriage and fears his wife no longer loves him. Being a methodical man, he decides to embark on a yearlong program to renew his romantic ties to his wife, seeking out the advice of Noah, who now spends his days in a retirement home feeding a swan he is sure is the reincarnation of his beloved Allie. In the midst of Wilson's machinations, his daughter Anna announces she is getting married. The upcoming wedding provides Wilson with the opportunity to bring his elaborate plan to fruition. Sparks tells his sweet story competently, without sinking too deeply into the mire of sentiment; a gasp-inducing twist comes at the very end. Satisfied female readers will close the covers with a sigh and a wish that a little of the earnest, too-good-to-be-true Wilson might rub off on their own bedmates. (Sept. 9)Forecast:Megamarketing by Warner (TV, radio and print ads; 30-city tour) and an eager fan base could make this the author's biggest book to date.

June 15, 2003
As his daughter's wedding looms, Wilson Lewis-son-in-law to The Notebook's Noah and Allie-decides that he must patch up his own marriage.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2003
Sparks returns to characters from " The Notebook" (1996) and writes about Allie and Noah Calhoun's oldest daughter, Jane, and her husband, Wilson. As their thirtieth anniversary approaches, Wilson realizes that he loves Jane now more than ever and worries that his neglect (he completely forgot their twenty-ninth anniversary) may have finally driven her away. Wilson plans on showing Jane how much he loves her, but then their oldest daughter, Anna, announces that she and her boyfriend are getting married and asks if they can plan a small utilitarian wedding on her parents' anniversary. Jane agrees to share the date and convinces Anna to have a formal wedding; something that Jane missed. Jane is surprised by Wilson's willingness to work and ability to come up with truly miraculous arrangements. This sort of involvement is out of character for Wilson, a workaholic estate attorney in New Bern, North Carolina, but he really is determined to change, and Sparks is at his romantic best in this tender love story about a flawed hero trying to right his wrongs.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)