Two by Two By Nicholas Sparks
Whenever I don’t want to read a book but want to listen to a story like my father used to tell me in my childhood, then, I pick a book written by none other than, my all-time favorite author Nicholas Sparks. Reading his book is like taking a break from reading; For all that while, I forget that I am reading a book rather it gives me a feel as if someone is telling me a story.
Until today, I have read 9-10 of his books and haven’t disliked any so far. But before ‘Two by Two’, all his previous books which I have read were based on the romance genre
However, ‘Two by Two’ is a lot more than a love story and thus, will be wrong to categorize it under the romance genre. This story inspires you to keep going on what may happen. It gives the reality check that you are left with no option but to move on with life, even when you least want it, even when you just want to sulk or crib or cry, even when you just want to shut yourself in a room, life doesn’t let you do so, it forces you to face it whether you like it or not. But at the end, it’s the bitter truth you can’t stick with your grief and keep whining all the time. You have to come in agreement with whatever life throws on you.
At the same time. It has focused upon how important is the family. It has shown the strong ties between a brother and a sister, a father and a child. And what may happen, in the end, you always need your family in your corner.
This story makes you accept the bitter reality which is, the loss of a loved one is irreplaceable. It’s the biggest loss of your life and how tormenting it is to see your loved ones going through pain.
It’s a simple story predictable plot as you move forward, but what makes it special is how Nick has written it. Nick has very beautifully penned down the emotions and feelings of the characters in every situation.
Over all, 'Two by Two' is a heart-wrenching story and at the same time it also tells you to face life what maybe so.
Plot of the Story:
Russell Green (addressed as Russ) was happily (at least, that’s what he thought so) married to Vivian and had a five-year-old daughter, London. Russ decided to quit his job to start his own business, and thereafter, his life took a turn. Vivian, who left working when their daughter was born, again started working. And until then Vivian was the primary giver for London which changed to Russ. By the time, Russ would have made sense of what all was happening, he was Mr. Mom. Role reversal had already taken place. He used to do all household chores, along with taking care of London, her studies, her classes, everything. But all this had brought him very close to his daughter. Every now and then in the book, Nick described the beautiful moments' father and daughter shared with each other.
Now, when Vivian got more and more involved in her work, she started spending less time with Russ. Henceforth, Vivian and Russ started drifting away with every passing day, and then one fine day Vivian asked for the divorce which turned Russ’ world upside down. He couldn’t think straight. His business was also not stable until then, he was still in the learning phase of parenting, and he was emotionally and mentally broken down. During all this, he realized he got his biggest support from Marge who was Russ’ elder sister and was married to Liz. They both constantly listened to Russ’ whining and supported him. Marge and Liz had been very supportive and had always advised Russ, in times of crisis.
The bond which Russ shared with Marge cannot be explained in words. Marge had been his support in his thick and thin. Russ had always looked up to his elder sister for the kind of person she was.
In between all this, Emily’s (Russ ex-girlfriend) was divorced and had a five-year-old son named Bodhi, who was the best friend of London and as destined, Russ and Emily met outside art studio where Bodhi and London used to take art classes. Now, while Vivian and Russ were drifting from each other, Emily and Russ started coming closer.
Surrounded by the support of his family and Emily, his growing bond with his daughter and his business which finally kicked-off, Russ’ life started to come on track (at least that’s what he thought). He thought his worst days were over, and only then life threw lemons on him and came the darkest day of his life when Marge was diagnosed with cancer IV stage incurable.
Essence of the book is:
• Russ and London’s growing bond which has been penned down beautifully.
• And all the moments where Russ’ father, who had always been a man of few words, expressed his love and concern for his daughter, Marge while seeing her in pain of cancer, melted my heart to the core.
• Last but not least, Russ’ strong bond which he shares with Marge from childhood, and they both find strength in each other and are there for each other no matter what.
Extracts:
Whenever Russ used to ponder over his past to understand what went wrong, where he went wrong, he kept digging deeper and deeper and below was what he realized:
‘…When you start trying to figure out what went wrong – or more specifically where you went wrong- it’s a bit like peeling an onion. There’s always another layer, another mistake in the past or a painful memory that sounds out, which then leads one back even further in time, and then even further, in search of the ultimate truth…’
When Russ was describing what it’s meant to be a wise person:
‘…Wisdom means more than being intelligent because it encompasses understanding, empathy, experience, inner peace, and intuition…’
Couple of times in the book, Russ mentioned what it is to get married, what it is to be in a relationship. Below ones have stayed in my mind:
‘…Sharing information is a prerequisite for any healthy marriage; the last thing any couple should harbor is financial secrecy. Secrecy can be corrosive, and ultimately stem from a desire to control...’
‘…Remaining a couple over the long term requires not only love and trust, but commitment and compromise, and communication and cooperation...’
'...In a relationship, love should not be felt conditional. Acceptance is the heart of true love, not judgment.To be fully accepted by another, even in your weakest moment, is to finally feel at rest...'
Russ’ one mistake in the past drifted apart Emily and him, for which he had always regret and apologized to Emily several times. During their conversation both had a different perspective about guilt and both the perspectives would make you think:
As per Emily, ‘…Guilt is a wasted emotion…’
As per Russ, ‘…Not always, it can keep us from making the same mistake twice…’
'Two By Two' was the name of the story which Russ always used to read to London during her bedtime as it was her favorite, but finally, he realized the meaning of 'TwoByTwo' which had been beautifully explained at the end of the book:
'... I am a brother and a father and a suitor, so at any given time, I am not whole me; I am but a partial version of myself and each version is slightly different from the others. But each of these versions of me has always had someone by his side.. I had survived because I'd been able to march two by two with those I loved the most...'
Lines I liked the most:
i. Age doesn’t guarantee wisdom.
ii. It requires a strength to be who you are without fear of rejection from others.
iii. Assumptions are only as accurate as the person who makes them.
iv. Relationships are hard, and both people have to want them to work.
v. The only way out is through.
vi. Letting yourself feel the emotions instead of suppressing them is a good thing.
vii. No one likes to feel they are easily replaced.
viii. If it comes, let it come. If it stays, let it stay. If it goes, let it go.
ix. Other people’s problems are always easier to solve
Rating: 4/5
The Sun and Her Flowers By Rupi Kaur
