The Vow ~ Book and Movie Review

          Due to today being Valentine’s day, I thought that I would write a post about the popular book and movie, The Vow.   After reading the book last week, I went to see the movie this past weekend.  So without further ado, here’s my opinion of both the book and the movie……

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         The Vow, written by Kim and Krickett Carpenter, tells an emotional story of a husband’s unconditional love for his wife and the faithfulness of a God who loves them both.   I couldn’t put this book down when I started reading it, and if it wasn't for the dread of early morning's alarm clock, I would have read it in one sitting.  Unlike the movie, the book spends a lot of time discussing the importance of the couple’s faith as they journeyed through the mountains and valleys of their tragic ordeal.    In this book, Kim Carpentar writes a vivid story of how he met and married the love of his life, consciously endured a car accident with her,  and then in the midst of overwhelming obstacles, fought to keep his marriage alive and rekindle the love that his wife had lost all memory of.  Few books bring tears to my eyes, but the obvious love that Kim had for his wife in the midst of despair was enough reason for me to keep a box of tissues near by as I turned the pages of this book.  I highly recommend reading this book.  It was ten times better than the movie!

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              Now that I’ve discussed the book, I’ll move on to giving my opinion of the movie.  I’m not gonna lie….I was really disappointed with the movie.  After LOVING the book so much, I begged my husband to take me to see the movie opening weekend, but when the movie was over, I left the theatre feeling a little deflated.  Perhaps if I watched the movie before reading the book, I would feel differently.  I knew the book was just the inspiration for the movie, and while I didn’t expect the movie to be just like the book, I did expect it to be sort of like the book.  I had even prepared myself for the realization that the couple’s faith, which had so much to do with the book, would be completely eliminated from the movie.  I just wasn’t prepared for the fact that the story of the couple in the movie wasn’t going to be ANYTHING like the Carpenter’s story.  The only thing the book had in common with the movie was that a car accident left a wife without any memory of her husband.  That’s it!  The vague plot was the only thing the book and movie had in common, and I have to tell ya that I thought the actual real-life story was a thousand times better than Hollywood’s version of a watered down story about love and faithfulness!  While I love Rachel McAdams, not even she could make me want to watch this movie twice.  Next time I want to refresh my memory of The Vow, I’ll bypass the movie and just read the book again.

Quiet Strength Book Review

           

            I read my second book of the year, Quiet Strength,  last week.  I found it fitting considering all of the Super Bowl hype we've had here in Indy over the past few weeks.  I purchased my hardback edition at a garage sale this past summer for a buck.  After setting it aside in a pile of books, I figured that Super Bowl week was as good a time as any to begin reading through its pages.

            This book was an encouraging read that highlighted Coach Tony Dungy’s faith throughout his career.  I found Tony’s story to be relatable and easy to read.  It was wonderful to read his testimony as he stressed the importance of doing right even when it's not always popular.  I was also encouraged as he wrote about how God’s plan is not always our own plan.  Difficulties come to all of us and can cloud our vision and understanding for a short time, but in the end, aren’t we glad that He knows best. 

            In a world of NFL coaches and players that aren’t always the best example for a younger generation to look up to, Coach Dungy’s integrity and character make me proud to say that he was the coach of the Indianapolis Colts during an era where football meant so much to this city.  In fact, if it weren’t for Dungy’s efforts, last week’s championship game may not have been played in Indy.  

          I'd recommend this book for anyone young and old alike.  I think I talked about how much I liked it so much to my husband that even he, who HATES reading but loves sports, may give this book a try;)

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