The Last Song

Nicholas Sparks
Grand Central Publishing (2009)
ISBN 9780446547567
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (10/09)

 

Ronnie Miller is an angry and rebellious seventeen-year-old.  When Ronnie’s mother insists that Ronnie and her younger brother Jonah spend their entire summer in North Carolina with their father, Ronnie becomes furious.  She has not spoken to her father in three years because she blames him for her parents’ failed marriage.  Besides, she wants to stay in New York with her friends instead of going where she does not know anyone.  Jonah, however, is excited about reconnecting with his father, a former concert pianist who is now working on a special project for the local church. Can Ronnie and her dad be reunited by the one thing they have in common - their piano-playing skills - or, is their relationship irreparable?

Nicholas Sparks stays true to his style in “The Last Song.”  He touches the readers’ emotions while at the same time imparting important life lessons.  The lesson in this book is to not judge others because you often do not know the whole story behind other people’s behaviors.  Although adults will enjoy this book, it is aimed more towards a teenaged and young adult audience.  Young people will be able to relate well to Ronnie’s character as she experiences worries about her plans for the future, falling in love for the first time, and trying to mend relationships that have gone bad.

In addition to Ronnie, Sparks creates some interesting characters.  Jonah, the younger brother, keeps the reader laughing as he tries to understand Ronnie’s problems.  Will, the volleyball player who sweeps Ronnie off her feet, is carrying around a secret and does not know how to make things right without causing trouble for someone else.  Readers will feel for the enigmatic Blaze who befriends Ronnie then stabs her in the back.  Marcus has a penchant for making trouble and seeking attention.  I would have liked to have learned a little more about Marcus’ background to understand why he acted as he did.

Watching Ronnie change from a spoiled child into a caring and responsible young lady was touching.  All readers of “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks will become emotionally involved in this story.  I am eagerly awaiting the next work from Nicholas Sparks.

Make comment on weblog