I re-read Safe Haven because I could not recall any details about this book. It's no wonder, really, since I read it for the first time in 2010. But, with the movie coming out soon, and with a plan in place to see it with my movie buddy, I wanted to re-read it to refresh my memory. I am glad that I took the time to read it again because I think I got more out of this second reading than I did my first.
It's hard not to begin any Nicholas Sparks book without wondering who might die. I know that sounds crazy, but every time I start one of his books, I actually think about it. If you've read any of his books, you understand. But, as you get to know the characters in this novel, it's quickly determined that Alex, the main male character, is dealing with the death of his wife and that maybe, just this once, the book will not end with a death. The other character you meet early on is Katie. It is clear from Sparks' descriptions and hints that she's dealing with something, that she's running from something, and that she's very clearly hiding something. But, we do not learn the entire story until about half-way through the book. Katie is hard not to like, as is Alex. In fact, all of the characters from Southport, North Carolina are hard not to like. It's a small town, everyone knows everyone, and everyone looks out for one another.
But Katie is a mystery to everyone. She walks everywhere, lives alone in a small cottage, pays for everything with cash. She opens up first to her neighbor, Jo, who turns out to be something no one would expect (I'll save that mystery for you in case you haven't read the book). Eventually, as Alex gains Katie's trust, she reveals her true identity to him, as a woman on the run from an abusive husband. I'm sorry to have revealed that here, but I can't make my next comment about the brilliancy of this book without you knowing that fact.
I have read every book that Nicholas Sparks has written. They are all heart-warming stories that made me cry and cry. I haven't paid much attention to the style of writing in his books, perhaps because I am so caught up in the story that his style comes in second, until this one and I have to say that I have a new respect for the power in Sparks' words. By the middle of the book, the readers of Safe Haven have been introduced to Katie's husband. In a word, the man is a psychopath. This is made evident by Sparks' masterful crafting of his chapters. We get to hear the story from his point of view, in his words, and we learn very quickly how truly disturbed this man is and that it's no wonder that Katie ran. As only a true master writer can, Sparks writes a chapter or a section in Kevin's voice, and effortlessly returns to the peace, serenity, and calm of Alex and Katie's love story. It goes without saying that when it's time to return back to a chapter told by Kevin, his side of the story becomes even more disturbing.
I won't ruin the end for you, but I will attempt to entice you by mentioning that the book ends in a way I never would have expected. I've read the ending twice now and scratched my head about it both times. Oh, and read the end with tissues. It's impossible to read Carly's letter without them. All I can say about Carly is that she's the sort of wife I wish I could be. I doubt I would turn Rob so easily and with such positivity and love over to a new wife. So, now I have to wait a couple of weeks to see the movie. I hope it's true to the book. It will make me sad if it's not. Only time will tell.
My next read is going to be Anne Tyler's Noah's Compass. I've wanted to read this book since it came out in 2009 and I am finally getting to it.
Happy reading everyone!
:) Dodie
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