How Far Should a Person Go in the Name of True Love?

How far should a person go in the name of true love?

To some married couples, the question may be simply answered with: I'll accept him/her for what he/she is even if he drinks too much or she likes to shop to death every week or he goes home late at night.  But in Nicholas Sparks' book "The Choice," these negative characteristics of spouses are very petty ones.  The book engages readers to a deeper interpretation of the question "How far should a person go in the name of true love?"

"The Choice" focuses on the life of a young veterinarian named Travis Parker living in North Carolina.  He then  meets his new neighbor Gabby Holland who has a long-time boyfriend named Kevin.  The opportunity to talk to each other begins when Holland confronts Parker about her pet dog, accusing Parker's dog for allegedly getting her dog pregnant.  This incident leads to Parker's several dog visits at Holland's house, Holland's opportunity to meet Parker's sister and friends, Parker and Holland's motorcycle ride, and many other incidents that allow them to get to know each other better.

Just like any other love stories, Parker and Holland end up marrying each other.  They lead a happy life as a couple and a happier one as a family with two adorable daughters.  Tragedy transpires when the couple meet an accident one rainy night, leaving Parker bruised and Holland in a coma.

Before the accident, the couple had a bizarre conversation about letting Holland die, instead of trying to keep her alive, if she would ever be in a coma.  Recalling such conversation, Parker then begins to ask "How far should a person go in the name of love?"

Because of his love for her, would he let Holland die the way she wants to?  Or should he keep her alive because he loves her?

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The first few pages of "The Choice" reminded me of the Sweet Dreams pocketbooks that I used to read in high school.  I thought it was like the typical stories where a man tries to woo a girl who has a boyfriend.  Then, the girl breaks up with her boyfriend to be with the other guy and then, they live happily ever after.

Well, the book does include such scenario but it seems to form part of the introduction only.  The real story indeed begins when Holland falls into a coma and Parker has to make the choice of letting her die or live.

Indeed, "The Choice" is such a very emotional book and Sparks has once again achieved success in capturing the emotions of his readers.

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The author is a blogger working for Valve eCapture.  You may reach her at valve.ecapture@yahoo.com or valve.ecapture@gmail.com.  Thank you.