You can always count on a good love story when a novel by Nicholas Sparks is discussed. This time, he takes us in to the life of a young woman fleeing from a past in which she shared life with an abusive husband. Since that husband was a policeman and can find her easily with so many resources at his command, Katie has difficulty making the decision to leave. Although she may believe she deserves a new and better life and the chance to start over, is the deck stacked against her chance for success? Escape to North Carolina brings her a new identity and beginning and of course a new man in her life. As she sorts through her memory of passed hurts, doubts, and lack of self-esteem which is the legacy of her marriage, she contemplates a new love and family as she tries to decide whether love and trust are possible with someone new. How much does the past affect our present and future? How does she know she can trust and is ready for the relationship and love she desires? Will her old life in the form of her husband come to call? Is she putting her new man and his children in danger? Are you ever free of the past? How do you make that happen?
The fun of a Sparks novel is in knowing that troubled characters with traumatic experiences will not only adapt and land in a new situation that is good but will find the love they seek. Katie may ponder and feel great doubt, but she will answer the call of love when it comes to call. Would you do what she did? If you were married to someone who abused you, could you find the courage Katie did and begin a new life? The work of a policeman is filled with stress. Quick and painful decisions must be made. Pictures of tragedies run through the minds of those who hold jobs like that. Husbands and wives married to those holding such jobs often feel they must find it within themselves to be understanding and supportive in difficult times. Although it is true abuse should never be tolerated, has Katie been taught to support and understand too much? Would you out of love forgive someone who hurt you and give them a second chance?
Join us for a discussion of a subject both timely and painful. It is one with which many have had experience firsthand. Below is information from Nls about Safe Haven and information about how to attend this discussion. Safe Haven is available from Bookshare and from the Bard site.
Join us for a very worthwhile novel and fruitful discussion.
Safe Haven
Sparks, Nicholas. Read by Jill Fox. Reading time 10 hours 27 minutes.
Suspense
Since arriving in Southport, North Carolina, waitress Katie has kept to herself. Now new neighbor Jo and widowed store owner Alex begin to bring her out of her shell--but her dangerous past is about to catch up with her. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2010.
Download Safe Haven, DB71968
Bonnie Blose, Group Facilitator
E-Mail: bookmaven1@frontier.com
