Oliver Barrett IV, a wealthy jock from a stuffy WASP family on his way to a Harvard degree and a career in law . . . Jenny Cavilleri, a sharp-tongued, working-class beauty studying music at Radcliffe . . .
Opposites in nearly every way, Oliver and Jenny are kindred spirits from vastly different worlds. Falling deeply and powerfully, their attraction to one another defies everything they have ever believed--as they share a passion far greater than anything they dreamed possible . . . and explore the wonder of a love that must end too soon.
My book group has set a challenge for all the members. Read a novel that it is the NY Times top ten bestsellers list from the week and year of your birth (this is the website for the lists, just change the year to your year http://www.hawes.com/1971/1971.htm).
For me the choice was a "No Brainer" as this book was number one. A classic book that was supposed to have "defined a generation" felt like a good choice to read. Why I had not read it before or, indeed, watched the movie I am not sure.
This book is a fine example of where less is more. 114 pages of pure simplicity, a simple story told in a pure way. No gimmicks, no lengthy showing off of knowledge by the author but just a lovely story that managed to sum up the feeling of love without being soppy and emotional. A cast of very few characters but somehow the author made me care about each and every one - yes, even Stoneyface.
A book that really lived up to all the hype that must have surrounded it in it's time and one I would say all book lovers should read. It will only take you a couple of hours anyway, so go on, give it a go.
So now to find out where I can see the movie. 5 out of 5 from me.
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