The Guardian

Writing

Nicholas Sparks is an amazing author, and he knows how to make a reader turn to the next page, and then the next, until the whole book is devoured. His use of detail makes me want to become a better author. I’ve learned that if you have the ability to create images in your readers’ minds, then that is a great thing. I think that, above all else, this is the most important thing for an author to know.

This book has made me think about ideas for my own story, but not as many as some of his other books have. For example, ‘The Wedding’ gives me ideas to write a novel about love, friendship, and family. In ‘The Wedding’, Jane’s husband seems very distant from her, but in the end he shows her that he really is still in love with her after many years of marriage, the book is really sweet, and heartfelt. I would really love to write a book like that, to have that effect over readers like that with only words.

Author

I think that maybe Nicholas Sparks wrote this book to teach readers to be more aware of their surroundings, and not to trust people too easily. I know for a fact however, that this was one of Nicholas Sparks’ stories that were not based off of something that happened to himself, or someone he knows, or knew. The idea of a stalker novel isn’t really an original idea, but I think Nicholas Sparks has really pulled the whole concept off flawlessly.

I have read a few other novels by Nicholas Sparks, ‘The Notebook’, and ‘The Wedding’ are two. I really loved both books, and loved the way he makes you want to read just another page, over and over again. Sparks really is an amazing author; my favourite, by far.

I do intend to buy, and read other novels by Nicholas Sparks. I have three that I have researched, that I really want to read, ‘The Choice’, ‘The Lucky One’, and ‘A Bend in the Road’.

Mood

When I was reading ‘The Guardian’, I felt a variety of different emotions. For example, I felt happiness at the beginning of the novel when I was reading the letter Jim wrote to Julie before he died. I felt distressed when, in the prologue, readers learned that Jim had died, and left Julie with nothing but emptiness in her heart. I was also frightened for Andrea when readers found out she was dating Richard, and when he found her in his dark room for photography.

There weren’t many, if any funny incidents in this novel, but there were many sad ones. I think, however, that the saddest thing that happened in the entire book was when a police officer found Andrea’s unconscious body laying in a ditch.

The part I remember most about the story is the ending of it, when Richard found out where Mike and Julie were hiding from him, and he went there and watched them. In the story, there are plenty of mood changes, happiness, sadness, anxiety, concern, dread, suspicion, and many others.

Characters

Julie Barenson, Mike Harris, and Richard Franklin are the main characters in this novel. I liked Julie and Mike because their characters were very good at dealing with all the pressure they were under with the police in the middle of the book, and with everything they had to deal with, with Richard. I also really liked Richard’s character, because to the readers he seemed like a normal guy, right up until the end that is. I also liked Richard because his character was very believable, like the way he insisted that everything that was happening to Julie and Mike was a coincidence, and not of his own doing.

In the beginning of the book, Julie was depressed, and terrified of moving on with her life, but then she met Richard, and he turned her life around. Mike was shy, and timid, but near the end of the book, he gets more courageous, and becomes an outgoing human being.

I really like all the characters in this book, and I feel that Nicholas Sparks wrote his characters very well.

Evaluation

In ‘The Guardian’, I liked how Nicholas Sparks wrote the story overall. I liked how he showed readers what characters were thinking, but not too much as to give away the plot line. During the climax of the story, and the rising action, the author had suspense throughout, and kept you interested in the book. I however did know what was going to happen, but Nicholas has such a way with words that he makes you want to keep reading, ‘The Guardian’ is a real page turner.

Compared to other books I have read by other authors, such as Cornelia Funke, or Stephanie Meyer, they almost are equal to Sparks’ ability to write. However, other books that I have read, written by Nicholas Sparks, have been – in my opinion – better than ‘The Guardian’. I read ‘The Wedding’: the sequel to ‘The Notebook’, and liked it much better than ‘The Guardian’. But I did really enjoy reading this book, and intend on reading more of his books.

Experiences

No, this book doesn’t really remind me of any personal experiences, because the main plot to this story is a girl being stalked by her insane ex-boyfriend. ‘When a Stranger Calls’ is sort of like the plot line of ‘The Guardian’, in the sense of a creepy guy watching you, and knowing your every move. It’s sort of eerie to read about. Another story that sort of relates to the book I read is ‘Play Misty for me’. Evelyn starts stalking Dave after they have a one night stand. Evelyn starts calling Dave, over and over, and threatens to kill his girlfriend. In ‘The Guardian’, Richard tries to kill Andrea, a girl that got in the way of Richard getting to Julie. There are many other stalker books, and movies I have read, seen, or heard about, but none follow the plot line of ‘The Guardian’ very well. Most of the examples I chose end with murder, and the story that I read did not, Richard simply beat up Andrea.

Reactions

As I was reading ‘The Guardian’, I was intrigued by Richard’s actions, and Julie’s reactions. I was also worried when Andrea went out with Richard, due to the fact that it was obvious that Richard was stalking Julie, but this was not so easy to see to Andrea. I also had a sort of tingly feeling inside when Mike was expressing his love for Julie, and when Jim wrote his heartfelt letter to Julie after he had perished. I thought it was sweet when Singer would be protective of Julie, and would be a watchdog when she was sleeping. When Richard found Mike and Julie hiding at a beach house, I was worried, because Nicholas Sparks went to Richard’s point of view and told readers that Richard was hiding in the shadows, watching Mike and Julie. I felt these emotions because Nicholas Sparks makes his readers feel like this, with his astounding use of detail, and the imagery he puts in your mind with the detail he uses.

I feel that this, along with all of his other books, is very well written, and is a delight to read. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading love stories, and likes well written, perfectly detailed, and flawless stories.

Quotations

I think Nicholas Sparks’ book is very well-written, all of his books are. Nicholas Sparks is my favourite author, and I absolutely adore the way he writes, ‘The Guardian’ is a prime example of this. This excerpt from the book shows how well Nicholas Sparks writes. It is a letter from Julie’s deceased husband Jim;

Dear Jules,
I know that if you're reading this letter, I've already passed away. I don't know how long I've been gone, but I hope you've been able to begin healing. I know that if I were in your position, it would be hard for me, but you know I've always believed you were the stronger of the two of us.
I bought you a dog, as you can see. Harold Kuphaldt was a friend of my father's, and he's been raising Great Danes since I was a kid. I always wanted one when I was little, but since the house was so small, Mom always said no. They are big dogs, granted, but according to Harold, they're also just about the sweetest dogs in the world. I hope you enjoy him (or her).
I guess I always knew in the back of my mind that I wasn't going to make it. I didn't want to think about it, though, because I knew that you didn't have anyone to help you get through something like this. Family, I mean. It broke my heart to think that you would be all alone. Not knowing what else to do, I made arrangements to get you this dog.
If you don't like it, you don't have to keep it, of course. Harold said he'd take it back, no problem. (His number should be included.)
I hope you're doing all right. Since I got sick, I've worried nonstop about that. I love you, Jules, I really do. I was the luckiest guy in the world when you came into my life. It would break my heart if I thought you'd never be happy again. So please do that for me. Be happy again. Find someone who makes you happy. It might be hard, you might not think it's possible, but I'd like you to try. The world is a better place when you smile.
And don't worry. From wherever I am, I'll watch out for you. I'll be your guardian angel, sweetheart. You can count on me to keep you safe.
I love you,
Jim

I think this letter shows that Sparks can get into a character’s mind, and can show their feelings through words, and express every detail perfectly.

These are some of my favourite quotes from ‘The Guardian’;

‘In the instant their lips first met, there was a flicker of something almost electrical that made him believe the feeling would last forever.’

‘Great anger wasn’t possible without great love.’

‘“I do love you, you know.”
”Yeah, I know.”
She pushed him away. “And here I was trying to be serious for a change,” she said. “The least you can do is tell me, too.”
”Again? How many times do you want me to say it?”
“How many times do you want to say it?”
Mike looked at her, then reached for her hand again and kissed each fingertip. “If I had my way,” he said, “I’d say it every day for the rest of my life.”’

These are my favourite quotes from the book, because it shows me, along with (I would imagine) many other readers that Nicholas Sparks really get into his character’s minds, and feels how they feel. I think that the excerpt from the book, was a good choice, because it is sweet, and explains how strong the relationship was between Julie, and Jim was before he died.