A Walk to Remember
Nicholas Sparks
Summary
In the fall of 1958 in North Carolina, Landon Carter get sin trouble with the law. His punishment is community service. Meanwhile Landon is looking for the perfect homecoming date. After asking countless girls, all of whom were "unavailable, the school bad boy reluctantly asks the weird and quirky preachers daughter, Jamie Sullivan. Landon and Jamie have a great time and she even convinces him to volunteer for her churches' Christmas production as a way to gain community service hours. After a while, they become really close friends, and as most girl/boy friendships go, they fall in love. Right before graduation, Jamie is diagnosed with cancer. They rush and get married, but not every story can have a happy ending.
List of Character
- Jamie Sullivan
- Landon Carter
- Belinda (Landon's friend and ex)
- Cynthia Carter (Landon's mom)
- Reverend Sullivan (Jamie's dad and preacher)
- Eric Hunter (Landon's best friend)
- Angela Clark (Landon's ex)
- Lew (Angela Clark's abusive ex that wants to fight Landon)
Character Analysis for Jamie Sullivan
Trait 1: Religious
Evidence: goes to church every Sunday and Wednesday; carries a Bible everywhere; teaches her faith to Landon and others
Trait 2: Conservative
Evidence: clothes don't show skin; she's nice and friends with everyone; doesn't draw attention to herself
Quote about Jamie from Landon Carter:
"Why you're Jamie Sullivan. You sit at lunch table 7. Which isn't exactly the reject table, but is definitely in self exile territory. You have exactly one sweater. You like to look at your feet when you walk. Oh, oh, and yeah, for fun, you like to tutor on weekends and hang out with the cool kids from "Stars and Planets".
Theme
People can change. Jamie Sullivan completely influences Landon Carter into a better person. People can change others for good or bad, but in this book, Landon's horizons were broadened in the most positive way.
Important Event
When Jamie Sullivan is diagnosed with cancer, they rush to get married. She passes away later after that, and the way it affects Landon changes him forever.
Recommendation
This book is most definitely a girls book. It's a classic case in which the bad, popular playboy gets the shy, nerdy girl. Girls in middle through high school will swoon over how Landon Carter treats Jamie Sullivan.