One of the hottest novels in the country is a slim, 214-page romance that is making readers cry and booksellers smile.
Touted as "The Bridges of Madison County" without infidelity, "The Notebook" (Warner Books, $16.95) was launched with a publicity kit that includes packages of facial tissues."It's been amazing," said author Nicholas Sparks. The 30-year-old Simpsonville, S.C., pharmaceutical salesman's life has not been the same since Warner Books bought the novel for $1 million and New Line Cinema snapped up film rights for an undisclosed but "substantial" six figures.
Sparks has received fan letters from readers touched by the poignant tale about a love lost and regained in 1940s North Carolina.
"It's a universal story," Sparks said in an interview. "It's based on the love between my wife's grandparents, who have been together 63 years. Theirs is an example of how you can love someone through anything. Love, when it's true and pure, knows no bounds. It's what people hope to find in their own lives."
A track star at the University of Notre Dame, Sparks never considered becoming a writer until he suffered a knee injury his freshman year. "I was going bananas around the house, and my mom said, `Don't just pout, do something. Write a book.' "
He did, but the horror novel was so horrible it still languishes in his attic. After college, Sparks put his writing on hold while he worked as a real-estate appraiser, waiter, house restorer and pharmaceutical salesman.
He began writing again in 1994 after watching the final episode of "Cheers."
"I realized that the show had been on the air for 12 years, and I still hadn't fulfilled my dreams," said Sparks, who was living in New Bern, N.C., with his wife and two children at the time.
"I decided I would give writing three more chances and write three more books."
Six months later, Sparks finished "The Notebook," bought a book on how to find a literary agent and sent out 25 packages. Twenty-four agents rejected it, but one liked it and struck a deal.
Despite mixed reviews, Warner Books is counting on word-of-mouth, combined with a 250,000-copy first printing and a 54-city publicity tour, to make the novel a best seller.
"This is not Tom Clancy," Sparks said. "But if you're a romantic, you'll probably like the book."