Does anyone thing the Nicholas Spark is like a GREAT WRITER?

[SparklingOne]

I am a fan too...that said he is a competent writer but most of his stuff is written for the readers emotional reaction, and sometimes that's at the expense of the story.

[suzy1124]

He's a very able writer of a particular genre, that of the " soap opera ", very predictable and formulaic, he's in good company w/Danielle Steele, Nora Roberts, Jackie Suzanne, Harold Robbins, etc...

[bunnypeach1]

He is not really a great writer to me. Sorry to say, but the story lines are usually sappy and predictable - no surprises here. Funnily enough this can translate into a great movie, but it's the actors, scenery, and costuming that brought The Notebook to life for me. Still the only movie I have EVER seen that is better than the book - and I read it first of course!

[Gravy]

I enjoy reading his books.
I also think he gets away with alot that other authors wouldn't simply because his books sell.
I love some of his books but his characters, especially the early ones, had too many characteristics in common.
They also all apeal to the sap in us. One thing I can give him though, you know what you're getting.

[stoppoppingtheP]

I am a very emotional person, and I like books which explore the emotions of humans. I sometimes think that I enjoy crying. lol

[Courtney Whittamore]

Obviously Nicholas Sparks is doing something right. Every single one of his books has made a top seller list, and it seems that every time I turn around he has a new movie being made based on one of his books. The last book of his that I actually read was Safe Harbor, which was AMAZING. I saw the movie too, which as a movie was also great, but the book was so much more real to me. He knows how to weave a love story that will just grab your heart and then just rip it right out. He reminds us of our humanity, and that the driving force of that humanity is love. A life lived without love is not something worth writing about. Sparks proves this with each new book he pens and I for one am grateful for his presence in the literary community.

[abbierakes]

I think that the age of the reader has to be considered here. If you are a teenage girl and your life is still fairly simple, then Nicholas Sparks writes some great stories for you. I think that his plot lines are well-developed and straight forward, his characters are easy to relate too, and nobody seems unrealistic. All of the characters seem like somebody that you might actually meet. On the other hand, his stories are almost all the same. Unsuspecting love blossoms, something happens to prevent this love, something sad happens at the end, and some kind of love will survive the fall. Not a terrible writer at all, but sometimes you just want stories that you can really sink your teeth into and not just read in a single day and then forget really what it was about.

[Shadowed_Gates]

Not a terrible writer but not the best. I just feel like its the same story over and over. He knows his true audience perfectly and he seems to please them very well with each book.

[DAbb85]

I enjoy his books; but I'm not sure I would call him GREAT.

[mashamashamasha]

No.

But he's commercially successful, so I mean, good for him. But I'd rather re-format spreadsheets than read that drivel. It's like the reading equivalent of eating pre-sliced processed cheese in those little plastic wrappers: maybe it's good very, very rarely, and some people really like it, but it's probably not good for you and all tastes the same after a few bites.

[bookowlie]

I certainly wouldn't call him a great writer, although he's a decent writing. His stories have a good flow and the characters are always people you can relate to. His books always jump to the top of the best sellers list, so he does have a wide audience. I think he tugs on the heartstrings, but his writing is very predictable.

[stoppoppingtheP]

I watched A walk to Remember, last night ( yet again ). And bawled my eyes out (yet again).

[Aspen_Reads]

If there had to be one romance writer that I could not live without reading, it would be Nicholas Sparks. I have read every book that he has ever published (multiple times, might I add,) and I went to one of his book signings/talks a few years ago. He was fabulous! I can't wait to see the next books he writes, I am sure they will be just as amazing!

[pretzelsnow]

I love Nicholas Sparks stories. Although others may find it simple but I still consider it as one of the best author in this world

I second that!

[Epicrealist]

I love Nicholas Sparks! I'd like to try more of his books.