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Title details for The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks - Available

The Best of Me

by Nicholas Sparks
Sean Pratt
Audiobook
3 of 7 copies available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
3 of 7 copies available
In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel of first love and second chances, former high school sweethearts confront the painful truths of their past to build a promising future—together.
"Everyone wanted to believe that endless love was possible. She'd believed in it once, too, back when she was eighteen."
In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in their small town in North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.
Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back home for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew—about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear—was not as it seemed.
Forced to confront painful memories, the former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    January 16, 2013

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781611139051
      • File size: 277459 KB
      • Duration: 09:38:02

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 920
    • Text Difficulty: 4-5

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      November 21, 2011
      Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole are from opposite sides of the tracks: she's a well-to-do girl with the world at her fingertips; he's from the feared family of sleazy, violent neighborhood thugs. Cut from different cloth than his clan, Dawson breaks free to live in the garage of an old mechanic deep in the woods. Soon Amanda and Dawson cross paths and find themselves smitten, certain they will see happily-ever-after. With the lovers torn apart by circumstance, Sparks (The Notebook) develops a charming story where each scene unwinds as if in slow-motion and the emotions of each moment garner maximum impact. Reunited after decades apart, the lovers' passion remains evident, and they struggle with whether to finally give in to their love or continue their current lives without each other. Despite an obvious ending, the love is so heartwarming that it doesn't seem to matter. Sparks's ability to capture the truths of this affair makes the story both heartfelt and heartbreaking. It's quite possibly his best work in years.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Sean Pratt delivers an unrushed, dramatic performance in THE BEST OF ME. Down-on-his-luck Dawson Cole bumps into his old flame Amanda Collier when they both return to the town of Oriental for the funeral of their friend and mentor. Pratt's portrayal of Dawson and Amanda ebbs and flows from repressed to unrestrained as the two rediscover their love for each other and battle circumstances that keep them apart. Pratt brings to life the beauty and tragedy in the star-crossed lovers' lives through his animated voice. He captures the characters' full-bodied enthusiasm and almost breathless sorrow. Further, his impeccable pacing accentuates the suspenseful and paranormal aspects of the plot. M.F. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Master humorist David Sedaris selected many of his (and our) favorite essays to narrate for this wonderful collection of his work. From "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter Vol. 3, No. 2" to a never before published essay, "Unbuttoned," Sedaris is at his best both as author and narrator. With his keen eye for detail and his scalpel wit, Sedaris delivers glimpses of his wonderfully weird world with these sometimes snarky, sometimes sweet commentaries. Sounding sassy, edgy, and delightful, Sedaris expands listeners' awareness of the frequent absurdities life throws his (and our) way, touching our emotions and tickling our funnybones. Even within the most personal, autobiographical stories, the themes are universal. Sedaris's observations are spot-on and good for a grimace or a giggle, making for perfect anytime listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      May 15, 2011

      They were high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the track whose paths diverged. They meet again, decades later, when both return home for the funeral of a beloved mentor. Now what? Sparks fans know the answer and will read this book to find it. Buy multiples.

      Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:920
  • Text Difficulty:4-5

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