Written By: Zaynah Zafar
Since 1996, Nicholas Sparks’ words have reached the hearts of millions of starry-eyed teens and romantics, producing a stream of international best-selling novels about love, loss and finding one’s place in life. The American novelist has written 16 works, six of which have been made into movies with two more set to be released in the future. Sparks’ fan-base has continued to increase with the additions of each new original and epic tale of love seen in both print and film.
“Whenever I hear about the release of another one of Nicholas Sparks’ books or movies, I get really excited because they are always good,” junior Marium Sadiq said.
From his humble beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska, Sparks grew up with two loving parents and two siblings with whom he created memories that would influence his writing in unique ways. After moving from state to state for the first eight years of his life, Sparksfinally settled in Fair Oaks, California, where he graduated at the top of his class. Following a medley of odd jobs, Sparks tried his hand at writing and published his first novel six months later, The Notebook. Since then the author has published at least one book every year with his most recent story The Best of Me having been released in October 2011.
“I like Sparks’ books because the characters are not just these people looking for someone to fall in love with,” Sadiq said. “They all have issues and problems that seriously affect their personalities.”
Sparks first ventured into the movie industry in 1999 when Warner Brothers bought the movie rights to and produced Message in a Bottle, based on his second novel. Three years later the public was treated to the film version of A Walk to Remember starring Mandy Moore and Shane West. Audiences were brought to tears with the release of The Notebook in theatres and the movie has since become a must-see chick flick for women of all ages. Sparks’ fame and fortune increased substantially over the years as Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song graced theatres across America.
“The Notebook is a very inspiring and beautiful movie,” junior Cesar Colon said. “I think it is cool that a guy wrote such a romantic novel.”
Sparks’ The Lucky One tells the story of U.S. marine Logan Thibault who finds a photograph of a beautiful stranger while on tour in Iraq. He soon discovers that the picture is his lucky charm and promises himself he will find the mysterious woman once he returns to the U.S. This begins the touching tale of how he falls in love and finds a home in the most unexpected of places. Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling star in the movie adaptation of this best-selling novel, set to be released in the U.S. on April 20, 2012.
“The Lucky One looks really interesting and has the romance element of a Nicholas Sparks movie,” senior Tashinga Ngaru said. “I will definitely check it out.”
For the past 16 years Sparks has written books and screenplays that have radically changed the genre of teen romance. Trailers embellished with the words “based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks” bring an air of anticipation to movie-watchers. With each movie release, audiences leave theatres with a feeling of delight at the thought that there is such romance still alive in the world.Sparks’ imagination and touching tales can teach the world that life is a beautiful thing that should not be taken for granted.
“I think the reason why Nicholas Sparks’ movies are successful is that they are truly touching, and they really get to you,” Ngaru said. “His stories portray what everyone hopes to find in this world – love.”
