The Wish

The Wish, Nicholas Sparks, 01/26/23

Nicholas Sparks is one of my absolute favorite authors. He always delivers, with each book better than the last. The Wish was thought-provoking and pulled on my heart strings. From the beginning, I felt like I was right there with each character, feeling their emotions and rooting for their happiness and successes.

Like Jodi Picoult, Sparks addresses societal concerns of the day. In this complex novel, he addresses teen pregnancy, coming of age, first loves, wartime heartache, as well as death and dying. In his way, he is educating us and encouraging us to become part of the answers in the world around us.

It’s 1996. Maggie was a fifteen-year-old pregnant teenager. Her parents were old school Catholics and were of the mind to send her away to deal with the pregnancy. She was sent to live with an aunt she barely knew in an isolated location in North Carolina. An adoption was arranged, and since Maggie was Catholic, abortion was not an option. To avoid any socially related stigma, Maggie was to remain in isolation until “it was taken care of.” Maggie was depressed as she no longer had contact with her friends or family. She also felt unloved by her parents.

Maggie’s depression lifted after meeting Bryce Trickett, one of the few teenagers on the island. As she was to be home-schooled, Bryce became her tutor. Bryce also introduced Maggie to photography. She was a natural and this new love would become the building block to her future.

As Bryce and Maggie spent time together, they fell deeply in love. She felt safe with Bryce as he had proven to be a handsome, gentle, compassionate, non-judgmental young man. He was well-read and on his way to West Point in the fall. Could they realistically share a life together? Accepting the possible roadblocks, they made a vow to return on Maggie’s 24th birthday to the beach where they first met. They also promised to send yearly Christmas cards to one another.

2019. Maggie has become a well-known photographer. She traveled the world to capture pictures of the most diverse and beautiful wonders that nature had to offer. Additionally, she opened a gallery with another artist in New York. The gallery was wildly successful, attracting artesian collectors from all over the world.

This year, Maggie had to slow down due to a life-threatening illness. She relied heavily on her staff in her absences, especially a new young man that she had recently hired. Mark quickly became a very good friend, and they spent the Christmas holiday together. At Mark’s insistence, Maggie shared her memories of Ocracoke, the place that taught her how to love and find her dream.

The characters were so well defined that they become part of your heart. The reason that Nicholas Sparks books continually get made into movies is because they appeal to everyone as real and compelling stories. I have read every one of his books, at least once. I enjoyed reading “The Wish,” and look forward to his next novel. I wholeheartedly recommend his books to anyone who likes to read a relatable story that touches the heart while also taking you on a journey to explore the social issues around you. Put together, his books can change the way look at the world and how you treat those around you.

This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.