Love Story - A Review

Have you ever heard of a movie being adapted into a novel...it’s usually the other way round isn’t it, well, not this time. ‘Love Story’ was originally written by ‘Erich Segal’ as a screenplay for a movie and then adapted into a novel at the request of the producers to be released on Valentine’s Day 1970! 

Since then it has been translated into 30 languages and is one of the most loved love stories.

The book has one of the best opening lines, guaranteed to hook you-

"What can you say about a twenty-five-year-old girl who died? That she was beautiful. And Brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach. And the Beatles. And me." 

Love Story is about a young couple, very different from each other from very different backgrounds, yet who are drawn to each other and despite all odds their love brings them together. The book tracks their lives from the time they meet in college, get married, and are just beginning their lives together when tragedy strikes. Then begins their struggle as things go from bad to worse yet their love keeps them together, finally culminating in a bitter-sweet ending.

Love Story is a beautiful, heart-rending romantic story which tracks the relationship between not only the two protagonists but also between them and their parents. 

Erich Segal has a brilliant style – which can be very funny and vey touching at the same time - he makes you feel so connected to the story that it becomes more of an experience than a reading.

The classic quote from the book sums up the essence of the story-

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

(As unputdownable as it is, reading this book will also make you crave for its sequel, ‘Oliver’s Story’)

Review by Smita Singh (PGP 2012 - 2014)