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The Notebook cover art

The Notebook

By: Nicholas Sparks
Narrated by: Kate Nelligan, Campbell Scott
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Summary

With echoes of The Bridges of Madison County, this tale explores the enduring power of love through the years and in the face of adversity.

Noah and Allie fell in love as teenagers, with the purest sort of love, only to be kept apart by Allie's mother. Their feelings survived in spite of everything - and they recounted their romance in the pages of a notebook. Now, years later, Allie suffers from Alzheimer's, and her memory has been wiped clean. By reading the story of their relationship and the passion they shared, Noah hopes to break through the barrier of his wife's illness.

This poignant first novel from Nicholas Sparks rivals any love story ever written.

©1996 Nicholas Sparks, All Rights Reserved, Abridgment Approved by the Author (P)1996 Time Warner AudioBooks, © 1996 Time Warner AudioBooks (Packaging Rights Only), A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing

Critic reviews

Winner of Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award: Best Audio of 1996, Romance

"Nelligan's genteel, Southern tones blend perfectly with Scott's straightforward, gentle, often sensuous baritone. The readers deliver strong characterizations." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Notebook

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The notebook great love as never written before

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This book was a four five star experience because I had seen the film. Sometimes these can be handed by several actor actress doing the books together.

What was most disappointing about Nicholas Sparks’s story?

The book never disappointed its just if you've seen the film it's written a little different.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I love the scene in which he takes alley to the swans and they come back and she breaks down and the realise they love each other very much.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Notebook?

Maybe the part they died together on the bed. Very unlikely this would ever happen husband and wife dying together.

Any additional comments?

Anyone who has loved someone and fears dementia should either read this book or watch the film it's so inspiring. My favourite Nicholas sparks novel

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great read

Pros –
In parts the use of words was very moving, and I found my breath catching in my throat, the loss feels so very real.
Choice of narrators was excellent, Campbell Scott is great in everything I’ve heard him in. Both accents are great.

Cons -
The story felt rushed, very condensed in parts and the time line is jumpy. I think I would have found it hard to follow if I haven’t seen the movie.
It was very predictable in parts, and sometimes ridiculously cheesy but I got over it.
The characters are a lot less conflicted and complex than their movie counterparts. Allie and her mother’s relationship is quite good however the tension in the movie version really helps set the tone.

Overall –
I really liked this book and although short, it was an enjoyable yet emotional read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such a touching story.

This is such a lovely stories so deep and honest in the struggle of older people.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

movie is Better

was expecting something like the movie but not the same layout of the story unfortunately

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fab book

Love this story. very well read transports you into the story.
fantastic and romantic well worth listening to

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Truest of true loves

An older gentleman is reading a story from a notebook as the tale begins :Beautiful story of Noah and Ally: their meeting one summer as teenagers and their subsequent separation forced by her mother because her ideas of class and status mean Noah isn't good enough for her daughter.

The couple meet years later when Ally is engaged to another man, only to realise they love each other still, always have - and always will.

I have seen the film prior to listening to the audiobook and enjoyed both. The film is very much worth watching and very moving. I'm not a big weeper, but the subject matter and acting skills had me in a blubbering mess by the time the credits rolled!

As for the audiobook version: I liked the use of different voice actors for Noah's and Ally's parts and for him as he narrated the tale.

The story is my first experience of the author who I believe has a very loyal fan base. I may try another of his books in the future.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome story

I ended up listening to this more than once, the narrators are just perfect, I've seen the film so could picture things too,

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Horrible

What disappointed you about The Notebook?

Couldn't even finish listening, gave up 30 mins in, it was horrible. Waste of money & time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sensitive poetic and heart warming

The story of two people finding love and faith in one another, following their heart and enduring the pain of separation at the beginning and end of their lives...beautiful

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Preferred the film, the narrators put me off too

Would you try another book written by Nicholas Sparks or narrated by Kate Nelligan and Campbell Scott ?

I would avoid these narrators. They seemed to over-pronounce every word and I found it distracting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Notebook?

The most memorable moment far me was the same in both the film and the book but I don't want to spoil it for others. The film has me in tears every time but (unusually for me) the book doesn't have the same impact.

Have you listened to any of Kate Nelligan and Campbell Scott ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't.

Was The Notebook worth the listening time?

Yes, but I far preferred Safe Haven by the same author.

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