Jul 20, 2003 03:57 PM
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(Updated Jul 20, 2003 03:57 PM)
You know how it is with best-sellers? They always seem to let me down. Thankfully, not this one.
Love Story by Erich Segal is a book that's been immensely popular for over three decades.
I'm sure many of you have either read, or heard about the book. So many movies have been based on this beautiful book that I'm sure you've come across at least one.
What it's about..
This 127 page book is about two people who, being true opposites, fall in love. Nothing new, you would say. But that's where you're wrong. It is new. And that's simply because this book hasn't been written in the Mills & Boon fashion where people fall in love and live happily ever after. Neither is this about the troubles one faces in love or passion or any of that stuff often mistaken for love. This book is about love, the real thing.
The story progresses as the two main characters, Oliver Barrett and Jennifer Cavilleri, fall in love and marry. Oliver is a Harvard Law student and Jennifer's into music. They are two bright young people who fall for each other inspite of their vast difference in backgrounds. You see, Oliver belongs to the Barrett family that has a long line of hugely successful men, while Jennifer's father is an Italian who owns a pastry shop. The differences never once create trouble, for the two know each other for who they are and do their part in building a home.
Oliver has some disagreement with his dad and now is broke and the two have to work hard to make ends meet. The rest of the story is about them being so truly in love and one fine day being told that Jennifer is dying.
Why I loved it..
This isn't the first book ever written on love. So why has this one received such recognition? It is perhaps because it doesn't attempt to set any standards for people in love. It doesn't try and explain what love it. It gives you no weird descriptions like 'her hair looked the colour of corn as it shone in the sunlight'!!! It doesn't say what love is or this is how it is to be in love. It doesn't show you anything that isn't real. No fancy men and women, no fancy words exchanged between the couple.
That's what works. It's real.
It lets you feel the love rather than have the author describe it for you.
Plus, it doesn't aim at mush. And doesn't wish for you to feel sorry for the leading lady's death.
What it does..
When I started reading the book, I expected loads of mush and wasn't too sure if I would be able to finish reading it. I was pleasantly surprised.
I must've read 3/4th of the book without feeling any 'connection' or 'involvement'. I had heard so much about this book that I guess I expected it to get some reaction out of me.
Well, let's just say that the final 1/4th is what this book is all about. I couldn't stop the tears. I'm a sucker for mush, in case you were wondering. But it isn't just anything that can get me sappy.
Page by page, this book makes that 'connection' with you. Heck, I didn't even realise I felt anything at all for the characters when I heard Jen was dying. It's only later that you realise that a bond (?) had been formed, without your knowledge or even consent.
That's why I'd say, the very book is like love. Before you even realise what's happening, you're in it :)
