Oliver’s Story | Erich Segal | Book Review

Oliver’s StoryPLOT: 3.5/5
CHARACTERS: 4.5/5
WRITING STYLE: 3/5
CLIMAX: 3.5/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5

A few weeks back I had reviewed the book “Love Story” by Erich Segal.

Needless to say, the book was a masterpiece and found its way into the heart of almost everyone who has ever read it.

Having such a great prequel, there is definitely a hype around the next book “Oliver’s Story”. So, let’s see if the book meets the expectations, so highly set by its prequel.

The book, at least as per my view, tries to explore the answer to the basic yet most convoluted question – Can love happen twice? And if yes, can it recreate the magic of ‘that first love”?

In this book, Oliver Barett IV, our beloved hero from “Love Story” tries to cope up with the loss of her dearly loved Jenny by spending more and more time with her Dad Phil and reminiscing about her every now and then.

For almost two years after her death, he seeks solitude and isolation from social gatherings and other such necessities.

In his solitudes, he finds his redemption, for though it is hardly true, but he still blames himself for what happened to Jenny. Meanwhile, Phil, assuming the role of his caretaker and guide, incessantly tries to push onto the path of blissful matrimony.

As a result, Oliver meets Joanna Stein, a girl who he tends to start liking but unfortunately with whom it was not meant to be. Very soon, he meets yet another girl, Marcie Binnendale, whom he finds very charming and who also starts loving him back.

But as Marcie and Oliver discover their newfound love, they also come across impediments which throw new challenges on their delicate relationship every day.

So what will happen to Oliver and Marcie? Will they be able to make it work? Will Oliver be able to love someone as he loved or perhaps loves Jenny?

To find out the answers, all you have to do is grab a copy of the book.

Though I would refrain from delivering the end, I definitely want to mention these last lines of the epilogue.

“Sometimes I ask myself what I would be if Jenny were alive.
And then I answer.
I would also be alive”

I loved the way “Oliver’s Story” ended and now after having read the whole story, I can definitely say that the author has convinced me of the one fundamental thing which this book seemed to tell.

Erich Segal writes most charmingly and the language, the tone and most of the other things remain very similar to the first book.

The characters are much more vivid and detailed and you simply cannot help but fall in love with Oliver and admire Jenny’s dad Phil.

Most of the story happens in New York City much like the first part, though towards the end Oliver does settle down in Boston assuming charge of the legacy of the Barretts.

My rating for “Oliver’s Story” is a three and a half stars out of five because awesome as it was, it did not click with me the way “Love Story” did.

So, how did you like the review? Do let me know your thoughts about it by dropping a line below.

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