The reason why I've called upon your memories and imagination is because that is exactly what came to mind when I was reading this book. "The Longest Ride," in some ways reminds me a lot of the "The Notebook." Nicholas Sparks took a different approach with his latest novel then previously yet it strikingly resembles his other tales. I believe that he took "The Notebook" flipped it, swirled it around and that was how "The Longest Ride" was born.
This love story is manifold because it doesn't only feature one love story but two. They are drastically unrelated for most of the book. The first love story features Ira and Ruth. The golden years couple with the enchanting life story. Born in the 20's and growing up through the Depression and World War II; Ira and Ruth's love story was by far my favorite. Old school love stories are so charming and heartwarming; Ira and Ruth's love story is no different. Ira, to continue the comparison, reminded me of Noah, in the selfless way he loved Ruth. He loved her enough to leave her because he knew he couldn't give her the children he wanted. But like any good Sparks love story goes, they beat the odds and live happily ever after. Ruth looks past Ira's misgivings because she knows their love is pure and beautiful. So as it goes, Ira and Ruth get married and remain childless. However, what I found most interesting about their marriage and what surely was the soul of their relationship was their rare and exquisite art collection. Ruth loved art and it was always Ira's gift to her by giving her art pieces that at the time were done by non- established artists. It was these art pieces that comforted Ira in his widowed years when Ruth died. They were like small time machines that took him back to each memory that was attached to the art piece when he bought it. They gave Ira a reason to live out his years alone without Ruth because he felt some how she was still here through the art pieces.
What I am not telling you is that Ira in present time of the story, is stuck in his car that careened off the side of the road. His body is badly injured and he is unable to move for the most part. But the truly magical part of this story is how Ruth coming in the form like a mirage, is in the passenger seat throughout the story trying to bring Ira strength to wait for help to arrive by recalling their love story. They talked about their love story together from beginning to end and revealed feelings and emotions that they had not previously known. It was by far an amazing plot for Ira and Ruth and even though it pained me to think of a poor old man trapped in his car, the visits from Ruth were all I needed to get swept back in their charm.
As you can tell this is a long love story. The other love story is much more modern. Sophia and Luke are in their early twenties. Sophia is from New Jersey and finishing up her senior year at Wake Forest, while Luke is a bull rider who owns a farm and helps his mom run it. It is time once again to channel "The Notebook." Sophia and Luke are much like Noah and Allie. They are both from opposite sides of town. City to country. Wealth to poor. They may not make much sense together but their love is stronger than all their differences. Luke has his own worries about his health and the last almost fateful bull ride he had that kept in the hospital for months. He needs to keep riding to win money to save his farm from all the medical bulls he acquired. Sophia is worried about life after graduating. When they meet, those same worries affect their relationship because just like Noah and Allie, are on different paths. Somehow it all comes together when the miracle of finding Ira on the side of the road lifts up not only their life but their love. The fairy tale has only begun.
So much to say about this book. Throughout the book I kept trying to figure out how these two love stories were connected or if they ever would. And it surprised me that I didn't for see the connection sooner. However, I'm glad I didn't and I'm happy that Sparks did not make it brutally obvious because I believe that is when all charm would have been lost.
I would absolutely recommend this book, much like I would recommend all of Nicholas Sparks books. To get critical, at times I felt that their was a cliche about this book that I hadn't really felt in other Sparks books and that was slightly upsetting. However, Sparks never EVER lacks in the charm department and always delivers with a sucker of a love story. You will fall in love somewhere within this book.
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