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Critic's Corner
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BOOK
REVIEW: Reviewed by: Patricia Ann Jones Most readers are familiar with Sparks' novels: "The Notebook," "Message in a Bottle," "A Walk to Remember," "The Rescue," "A Bend in the Road," "Nights in Rodanthe," "The Guardian," and "The Wedding." Having read these novels, you no doubt look forward to Sparks' easy style and intimate voice. I have reviewed the majority of these works and found them to be intriguing and filled with ordinary characters in extraordinary circumstances—Americana at its best. In "True Believer," out this spring, Sparks brings us the story of Jeremy Marsh, a handsome New Yorker with a fascinating occupation. Marsh is an investigative journalist known for his interest in science. He's made a career out of debunking psychic quacks and ghostly phenomena. He is also a columnist for the Scientific American magazine. But soon, Marsh will discover that one day he's going to learn something that can't be explained with science. And when that happens, his life will change in ways he cannot imagine. After Marsh is interviewed by Diane Sawyer on TV's Primetime Live show and is called by her "America's most esteemed scientific journalist," his fame reaches all the way to Boone Creek, North Carolina. Doris McClellan, owner of the best restaurant in Boone Creek, writes to Marsh inviting him to investigate the ghostly lights that appear in a legend-shrouded cemetery in her hometown. His curiosity peaked, Marsh arranges to travel to Boone Creek located at the confluence of Boone Creek and the Pamlico River. He finds a dusty, dying little town, that has but one claim to fame: The appearance of spirit lights over an ages old cemetery that lies just outside of town. Doris is a perfectly drawn character that plays an important part in Marsh's investigation. Her granddaughter, Lexie Darnell, the town librarian is another character that lends a great deal of credibility to the story. She offers Marsh the available resources of the library for his research on the town's history. This includes a number of personal diaries donated years ago to the library that give insights into the "Ghosts Lights of Cedar Creek Cemetery." Lexie is a spinster, in her early 30s, beautiful, of course, but scarred by two past love affairs that have left her feeling she will never marry and have a family of her own. Then, you have the ebullient Mayor of Boone Creek, one Tom Gherkin. Tom's daddy was mayor before him. You might call the job a legacy for the Gherkin family. Tom is almost a stereotype in that he speaks in a voice dripping with southern charm, wears outrageous clothes, and has one domineering dream. He plans on using the Spirit Lights as a way to enliven Boone Creek and bring more tourists to the town's annual tour of Victorian homes. He sees Jeremy Marsh as a way to fulfill his dream. Sparks peoples his story with typical small town characters like Deputy Rodney Hopper. He's intimidating to strangers, not the brightest star in the sky, and in love with Lexie. Would you expect anything else? Rachel, a waitress at Herb's restaurant, is a fun character with an agenda of her own. Jeb, who owns the only place in town for strangers to stay, Greenleaf Cottages, is somber, frightening in appearance and given to decorating his cottages with stuffed animals. Tully, owner of the town gas station, is a trip-and a half, and figuratively speaking, talks his customers to death. There's not a dull one in the bunch. Each brings out some aspect of southern living that enlivens the story and moves it forward. In contrast, Sparks' gives you Nate, Marsh's crazed agent bent on making his client a famous TV star, and Alvin, a New Yorker to the core, who works for Marsh as a photographer. These supporting characters lend a certain aura to Marsh and Lexie's story. And it is their story. Two people from different worlds brought together by events seemingly from supernatural elements. This is where Sparks' shines. The love story is believable, if somewhat formulaic, and yet it contains enough suspense to hold readers in its grasp. If these two are to be together, Jeremy Marsh must make a difficult choice: return to the life he knows, or do something he's never done before—take a leap of faith. "True Believer" is ultimately a story about taking chances and following your heart. In the end, it will make you, too, believe in the miracle of love. Copyright April 2005 Patricia Ann Jones Save Up to 30% on this book at Amazon.com Jones is a published writer and book reviewer for Tulsa World newspaper. To comment on this review you may email pattij777@aol.com |
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True
Believer
