Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Dear John

Dear John
Dear John
Author: Nicholas Sparks
An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780446567336
ISBN-10: 0446567337
Publication Date: 12/1/2009
Pages: 352
Edition: Mti
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 502

3.8 stars, based on 502 ratings
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

scrapbooklady avatar reviewed Dear John on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
What makes "Dear John" so compelling is that from the beginning, the reader pretty much knows how it will end - well almost! Even so, I was propelled along, hoping for a different outcome or an unexpected twist. We got that twist, and although it wasn't particularly comfortable, it was totally in keeping with Sparks' understanding of what real love is.
reviewed Dear John on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
It is Nicholas Sparks what more needs to be said? No really, it is an awsome book. The more this man writes the more he is able to hit that bitter sweet nail right on the head.

For those who love Sparks' books you won't be dissappointed and for those who have never read one.....you are just missing out.
reviewed Dear John on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Great book about finding love, losing love and growing in the process, and making the hardest decision in his life. I really enjoyed this book and it was a fast read.

Barbara
reviewed Dear John on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
John Tyree was raised by his father, a coin collector who seemed so obsessed by his coins that he couldn't talk about anything else. He was a typical teenage rebel: drinking, fighting, hanging out with a group of like-minded friends. Not enough ambition between them to even get a decent job. One day, realizing that he wasn't happy with a life that was going nowhere, he joined the Army and changed both his attitude and his outlook.

Home on leave, he meets Savannah Lynn Curtis, a college student visiting the area with a group working for Habitat for Humanity. They spend as much time as possible together and quickly fall in love. But they both have other commitments. College for her, the Army life in Germany for him. They write, they call, they e-mail, but its not enough to keep her from falling in love with someone closer to home and inevitably, she writes the Dear John letter.

The second half of the story will both break your heart and restore your belief in humanity. Can you love someone so much that their happiness is more important than your own? Can three people in love ever work it out so that everyone is happy? The ending is such a surprise that you'll never see it coming, unless you cheat and read it first.

I highly recommend this book, but have your tissues ready - you're going to need them.
TheBookaholic avatar reviewed Dear John on + 45 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I have read all of Nicholas Sparks' books, and while the endings usually have me wanting it to be different, I must say I do enjoy them. This one is no different. Unlike the other gentleman that reviewed this book, I must say that I totally related to this book. Be forwarned, there is a little betrayal in it, but when is there not in love? The characters were very believable. I related to this a lot more than most probably would have as I had something of this manner happen to me. John was a character I could relate to, someone who wasn't sure about what he wanted in life, but knowing he wanted more. When he meets Savannah, he has met his soul mate. While some people don't believe in such, I do, and I can relate to John's devotion to her, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the betrayal, no matter how much it hurts. While I know that there has never been a sequel done on any oh Sparks' books, this is one that left me saying, no, don't let this happen, it has to be different. I wish he would do a sequel on this one. Definitely a book that requires a box of tissues nearby as it is a tear jerker. If you are looking for a book that will capture your heart, this is it.
Read All 200 Book Reviews of "Dear John"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Dear John on + 26 more book reviews
I could not put this down. I now want to see the movie.
reviewed Dear John on + 11 more book reviews
read the book before the movie came out. as with all the nicholas sparks books, i loved it. i don't always like the when they turn the book into a movie, but i watch it nonetheless. the movie was close to the story line which was great. if you have a chance to pick up any nicolas sparks books they are all great (movies too!)
Ericabearb avatar reviewed Dear John on + 6 more book reviews
This was my second book I read by sparks, I loved it! Definitely one of my favorite books.
reviewed Dear John on + 530 more book reviews
This was my first book to read by Nicolas Sparks. It was very good and easy to read, didn't take long to finish. I'll read another by this author!
reviewed Dear John on + 90 more book reviews
The movie is much, much better than the book. That is rarely the case, but this time it definitely is.
reviewed Dear John on
Very interesting read. It keeps you turning pages. A friend told me about the movie, and the book does not end the same way the movie does. I think I will like the movie better.
reviewed Dear John on
wonderful story! very heartfelt and very different from the movie!
reviewed Dear John on + 35 more book reviews
Good story line, keeps you captivated.
havan avatar reviewed Dear John on + 138 more book reviews
One of those cases where the book exceeded the movie. Of course that's almost always true but Sparks earlier works The Notebook and A Walk to remember were good adaptations. This one lacked a certain something and yet many younger viewers might like the movie better.
reviewed Dear John on + 15 more book reviews
Not up to Sparks' earlier stories, in my opinion. The characters are likable and the father, in particular, was exceptionally well depicted. The story is a tear-jerker, let's face it, but the book had more substance than the movie. (I always like the book better.)
reviewed Dear John on
This book was a little slow and somewhat predictable. Still worth a read if you're a Nicholas Sparks fan.
reviewed Dear John on
Great book. Gave excellent detail about the situations in which each character was in. Kind of a tear-jerker. Read several parts over and over just because they stick with you.
fabricmom avatar reviewed Dear John on + 11 more book reviews
Very touching story about love and loss.
reviewed Dear John on
I hated it!
berd avatar reviewed Dear John on + 214 more book reviews
I am normally not a very big Nicholas Sparks fan, but this book actually was one of his better ones that I have read. I finished it within a couple of days, and while I had it almost figured out fairly quickly (plus the title nearly gives away part of the story line in of itself), I felt that the writing was better than most of Sparks' books. Many reviews were negative towards this one, and typically I feel negatively towards his books myself. However, this one gave a taste of what Sparks can do if he tries hard enough.
reviewed Dear John on + 33 more book reviews
Very good book, much better read than the movie.
reviewed Dear John on + 85 more book reviews
Enjoyable read, somewhat moving/emotional. Not a lot of substance...fluffy.
laina42107 avatar reviewed Dear John on + 115 more book reviews
It goes without saying that Nicholas Sparks is one of today's "master" storytellers and he does not disappoint with Dear John. I loved it. The love that John and Savannah shared was written in a way that made me feel as if I was part of it all. I laughed, I smiled, I cried. I felt everything that the characters were feeling, as if I was on the journey with them. The ending in the book is different than the movie. I preferred the movie ending but hell...I'm a sucker like that.
reviewed Dear John on + 6 more book reviews
Love Nicholas Sparks, I wish this book ended differently, but it still was good!

Book Wiki

People/Characters
Savannah Lynn Curtis (Primary Character)
John Tyree (Primary Character)
Important Events

Genres: