20 Days of Giveaways / Day 4 – THE LAST SONG / Review and Giveaway
Seventeen year old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father…until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.
Nicholas Sparks is the author of 15 books. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and children. You can visit the author’s web site at www. nicholassparks.com.
1. Ronnie is a difficult teenager who is prone to acting out and is alienated from both her parents at the
start of the novel. Were you rebellious as a teenager? How was this manifested? On the other side,
have you ever had to deal with a rebellious teenager? Did Ronnie’s behavior touch a nerve?
2. What do you think about the very different approaches to parenting taken by Ronnie’s mother and
father? Do you think Ronnie’s mother is too intrusive or can you understand her relationship with
Ronnie? Do you think Ronnie’s father is too absent, or can you understand why the relationship is the
way it is?
3. Early in the novel we learn that Ronnie was a piano prodigy who performed at Carnegie Hall when
she was thirteen. However, when we meet Ronnie she hasn’t played in many years and she’s sworn to never play the piano again. Why does Ronnie feel this way? Who do you think Ronnie hurts more not playing the piano, herself or her father?
4. Reflecting back on his life, Steve wonders: “Was it still possible for someone like him to experience
the presence of God?” Why does Steve ask himself this? What role do religion and belief play in this
novel? How would you characterize Steve’s religious faith?
5. Why does Will fall for Ronnie? Can you understand the attraction from both Ronnie’s and Will’s
point of view?
6. What do you make of Blaze? How would you characterize her relationship with Marcus? Have you
ever been in a relationship that was not particularly healthy? Did you stay in the relationship? If so,
why?
7. Ronnie and Will fall in love very quickly over the course of the summer. Have you ever had a
summer romance that became something more than a fling?
8. This novel is, in large part, about loyalty and trust. Which characters exhibit the most trustworthiness and which exhibit the least? How does a betrayal of trust affect various relationships within the novel?
9. In the middle of the novel, Will asks Ronnie how far she would go to protect a friend. Why does
Will ask Ronnie this? How far would you go to protect a friend?
10. How are Jonah and Ronnie affected by their parents’ divorce? What effect does divorce have on
children, in your experience?
11. Both Will and Ronnie come from families that have certain expectations of them. How do these
familial expectations shape them and in what ways do they reject these expectations?
12. Why does Ronnie get angry at Will toward the end of the novel? Do you think her anger is
justified?
13. What do you think of the choices Steve and Kim make as parents? Do you think they were right in
keeping certain things secret from their children?
14. Ronnie makes an important choice at the end of the novel. Would you have made the same choice
if you were in her position?
15. In what ways does Ronnie change over the course of the novel? In what ways does she stay the
same?
Thanks to Valerie and Hachette
I have 3 copies to give away.
Here are the Rules:
I use Tea.
teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have enjoyed Nicholas Sparks' books for a long time. He's the most gentle, empathetic male author of all, I think. I think my most favorite book is Water in a Bottle or A Bend in The Road.
I just read the synopsis again. I love to read this one because it's about an artist. I love to read about artists. The dad is making Art for the church. I would like to know how the daughter's relationship with her dad works out or doesn't work out.
teakettle(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'd love to win this book. I follow under pbclark.
Please enter me:
deborah150 at hotmail.com
follow under Deb
I would love to read this book before I watch the film. Plus I am listening to the sudiobook for Dear John now, and love it! Thanks for hosting the great giveaway!
I am a public follower.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I love Nicholas Sparks, so would enjoy this. I follow google connect as Colleen Turner.
Thanks,
Colleen
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I love reading his books and watching the movies they become. Thanks.
I follow…dor
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I want to see this movie, it looks super cute!
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I use the name snbjork
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Please enter me! I follow under xxsquigglesxx.
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I would love to read this book! I think it would be a good book to read in the quiet time I have while my hubby is away at school.
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Thanks for the opportunity!!
I'd love to win this
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I follow as holdenj! Thanks for the chance to win!
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wow this was an amazing book. I would love to win it. I just started following you and I follow under Amy. My e-mail address is on my blog page. Thanks for hosting this giveaway..
I love stories that are told from multiple perspectives. I'm hoping that the story is clean enough for use in the classroom.
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Thanks for the chance!
IsiandJas'mom
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I am a follower. Please enter my name in the drawing for a copy of this book.
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I subscribe to your blog. Please enter me in your giveaway for this book. I'd love to read it, and enjoyed the review from it. Thank you!
Sandee61
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I just discovered your site. Very nice! I would love to be entered into your giveaway for Nicholas Sparks book The Last Song. I am a new follower and look forward to visting again real soon.
Smiles,
Cindy W
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I follow via Google Friend Connect as Darcie K.
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I have read a few of Nicholas Sparks books and enjoyed everyone. I would love to win this book as I would read it immediately. Cheers.
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I'm a follower.
This sounds like a tear jerker and a wonderful book
I follow you on GFC as couponmom
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I'm glad fans won't be disappointed. Sparks is a great writer!
I follow you from twitter as tistarkoluv
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Thanks for doing this!
I would LOVE to win this book! Thanks for the chance. I am a follower.
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Please count me in.
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I follow. It looks like it's under my name Sheila.
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I follow as Sarah
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I always hear such good things about Nicholas Sparks, but have yet to read any of his work. Please count me in. Thank you!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for the opportunity – JaniceH
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I'm a follower
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I follow under Janey
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Love Nicholas Sparks!
I follow as Karen B.
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Would love to read this. I follow on GFC as "rsg".
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
I'd love to be entered to win: 1 entry
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I follow as edmontonjb
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i would love to win this!!!
i follow under t.mcalpine and my e-mail address is [email protected]