Spring Break Indulgence: Reading The Longest Ride

The Longest Ride trailer's have emerged in advertisements and on YouTube. I have begun reading the book and I would love to be able to make connections to the movie as the trailers air online. So far, I commend Nicholas Sparks as he has managed to make yet another tear-jerking novel.

This emotional roller-coaster starts with Ira. He tells us his back story, you learn that he is very old and that he has been injured in a car accident. Icy and snowy, Ira Levinson ends up in a steep embankment on the side of the curve in the road. He assumes he wasn't aware of the curve and is now stuck in shattered car. His head is bleeding and he is in bad condition. Then it is revealed that Ira lost his wife 9 years before the crash. "My life came to a full stop" (Sparks 9). This was Ira reflecting on her death. Ruth and Ira were in love, and Ira thought he lost her completely. But, Ira found his love in the car when he was hurt. He found her there when he seemed like he would be left alone, possibly to die. Look at that, even the predictions you are possibly able to make are heart wrenching. Well, Sparks doesn't stop there with his emotional roller-coaster. I believe that Ruth's goal is to help Ira to reflect on his life. Ira knows that Ruth isn't there in reality, but is there spiritually. Ruth is helping Ira relive his life, in a way. She begins to reflect on his family and on her family. Ruth is helping Ira stay connected to his life by letting him focus on major events. Ruth is showing Ira that he is strong and has lived through certain sorrows. Ira and Ruth lived through the days of World War 2. This impacted their lives, and the sorrow of this event hurt them. However, this shows that they were strong together and managed to uplift each other's spirits. She also looked upon their joyful events together. She speaks about how they met and all of the things they did; together. Ruth and Ira relive their past and reconnect. They are holding onto each other through these memories, and I am anticipating a sad ending, or surprisingly happy ending for Ira's life. Way to go Nicholas Sparks, you've pulled emotions out of me through a fictional book. 

Now, 4 months earlier, you meet Sophia. She finds herself at a rodeo. She originally didn't feel as though the rodeo was her 'thing', well ironically she may have found the love of her life there. Ironic, yet predictable. She has a back story involving a bad romance. This previous romance including a cheater named Brian. She's single and moping. Her friend decides to take her to a bull-riding area, to help her get her mind off of Brian and just 'cause she needed a wing man. At the bull-riding event, Sophia finds Brian. This quickly turns the whole rodeo experience into a bitter event. However, something sweet seems to make it a little better. Luke. Luke protects Sophia from the frat-boy, Brian. Luke isn't like Sophia. Luke is a country boy, and Sophia is a sorority girl. But, opposites do attract. They learn more and more about each other. They keep each other happy...like Ruth and Ira. One major part of the book is Luke having to choose what he wants to do with his life. He understands that bull riding is dangerous, but he's doing it for a good reason. Not for the glory, not for the fame but to keep his mother's farm going. However, he learns he can't have the life of a bull rider with Sophia. Sophia believed that she couldn't live with someone who she may lose, so she gives him a choice. The bull or her. This ultimatum may rip their romance apart. 

Ruth and Ira alongside Sophia and Ira. They are different generations, however they are connected. After reading deeper into the book. I anticipate that Luke will choose Sophia over bull riding. I also anticipate that Ira will pass away, to be with his love. So far, this book is based off of what you would give up to be the love of your life. I hope that my predictions will be proven right or wrong as I continue to read this book. 

I commend Nicholas Sparks for taking me on this emotional roller-coaster.

Link to the Longest Ride Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUS_Q7FsfqU