Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas (Unabridged)

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL READ!
Review: I read this book in one day....if anyone needs a good cry this is the book. So much emoition and feeling in every word that he writes.

Rating:
Summary: I was rolling my eyes by the end.....
Review: I thought this book was horribly predictable. The concept could have worked but the characters were transparent. If you are looking for light summer reading go with this book but it will go quickly, it is a real easy read. If you are looking for a well-written, thought-provoking book, do not go for James pattersons newest novel.

Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read!
Review: I read this book in one sitting last night . . . I couldn't put it down! Patterson makes his characters so lifelike it's almost scary. I found myself so engrossed in the diary and Katie's reaction to it that when I was finished, it was like I had just met a whole group of new people and shared their lives. If you think that Patterson can only write suspense, THINK AGAIN!

Rating:
Summary: Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas- YUCK
Review: I have never written a review for a book,but I felt compelled to for this book. I love James Patterson's thrillers,but this attempt at another venue failed miserably. This was so sugar coated that my teeth hurt. The characters are so shallow and blissfully stupid. I was very glad it was a quick read. Please stick to thrillers next time.

Rating:
Summary: Patterson's Evocative Change of Pace
Review: As a mystery author with my first novel in its initial release, I can understand how thriller author (and Edgar-winner)James Patterson would occasionally want to stretch beyond his usual genre. With SUZANNE'S DIARY FOR NICHOLAS, Mr. Patterson not only stretches. He writes a brilliant book. The set-up is simple. Katie Wilkinson, a book editor, finds herself dumped by Matt Harrison, a poet. As a parting gift, Matt sends Katie a diary his first wife, Suzanne, kept for their son, Nicholas. In this diary, Suzanne tells how she gave up an exhausting (and rewarding) career in urban medicine following a youthful heart attack. Suzanne opens a family practice on Martha's Vineyard and finds happiness as well as love with a housepainter who develops into a famous poet named Matt. Katie reads this diary and comes to a better understanding of many diverse elements in life. SUZANNE'S DIARY FOR NICHOLAS is a terrific book. James Patterson knew exactly when to seek a change of pace.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: Reading this book was a very personal experience for me. I am happily married with two kids, and if I ever found myself taking any of my life for granted, reading this book would restore the sense of wonder, and the sense of fragility, that we should never lose sight of. The jacket describes the book as representing events that have occurred in Patterson's life, and it shows. He writes passionately and realistically. He portrays, with stunning accuracy, the almost overwhelming sense of love and responsiblilty that a parent feels for their child. I have read some of the other reviews here. If you are not a parent, then the book will not carry the same weight, but understand that raising children is very much (or should be) the experience portrayed here. The problem becomes, as this book reminds us, that we too often get distracted by what's occurring around our lives to notice the miracles that occur everyday within our lives. I don't write reviews often on here, but this book blew me away. If you are a parent, I recommend this book at the highest possible level.

Rating:
Summary: suzanne's diary: a pretty good book...
Review: suzanne's diary: a pretty good book overall. i think i had one or two kleenix moments from the story. personally, i think i would have liked the book more if the story delved into the complexities (thoughts, emotions, behaviors) and psychology of to love after a loved lost (as advertised in the book jacket). definitely a good book to get.

Rating:
Summary: Oh please, stop jerking my emotions!
Review: Calculated and overwrought, this book was not bad enough to stop reading, but not good enough to actually enjoy. It was as if the author sat down and said, "Hummm, that Madison County book did pretty well, let me do one of those." The characters were cardboard stereotypes and the actions and plot were designed to wrench tears out of the reader. Stick to Anne Tyler if you want stories with real heart to them.

Rating:
Summary: A change of pace for Patterson
Review: In Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, James Patterson takes off his suspense hat and puts on a somewhat loose fitting romance hat. The voice that Patterson is known for in his Alex Cross novels is again present in this novel, with somewhat obvious statements being made in italics for a forced effect. The diary pieces are endearing, and the ending is somewhat expected but still tearjerking.

Rating:
Summary: James Patterson or Nicholas Sparks?
Review: This could have been another one of Nicholas Sparks emotional and sappy stories. In the tradition of Message in a bottle, The Notebook, and The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks... James Patterson must have followed the formula for a predictable story. The characters were "perfect" with ideal professions and beauty.

I had grown tired of James Patterson novels. However, since this one seemed out of his normal thrillers I gave it a chance. What a waste of money. Makes me long for Alex Cross!