Book Riview: Love Story

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Title: Love Story
Author: Erich Segal
Publisher: Harper and Row (USA); Hodder and Stoughton (UK)
Genre: Romance
Pages: 131
Publication Year: 1970 

Love Story by Erich Segal is considered classic because it happened to inspire many movies and books and it still does.  I heard a lot about this book from time to to, but somehow postponing to read it. That is presumably because it is a tragedy. There I said it. I don't like tragedies. Then what made me to pick this book in the first place? After reading intense and disturbing "Gone Girl", I needed something simpler. It is only 131 pages and if you are a fast reader like me, can finish it off in an hour.  

Story: Oliver Barrett IV, Harvard Jock, WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant), rich boy falls for Jennifer Cavilleri, Radcliffe music major, smart, witty, poor girl of Italian-American origin. Even being from two different worlds their love deepens and they 
decide to get married at the end of college year. Oliver's father disinherits him for marrying Jenny against his wish. They struggle financially as Jenny works as a teacher in a public school to put Oliver through Law School. He lands a plush job in a New York law firm with fat paycheck. It is now the couple thinks of starting family, but the fate has something else in store for them. When Jenny is unable to conceive, they visit a doctor. After running series of tests, he informs Oliver that Jenny has leukemia and her days are numbered. Oliver tries to be normal as instructed by doctor, but Jenny knows. Her treatment starts and Oliver goes to his father for money, which Mr. Barrett III gives, but he doesn't know the reason. Jenny talks with her father one last time and tells him to be strong for Oliver. She says Oliver not to blame himself as it is nobody's mistake. She asks him to hold her tightly one last time before she dies. Oliver Barrett III learns about Jenny's illness and drives off to Hospital, but by the time he reaches, she is gone. He says sorry to which Oliver IV replies "Love means never having to say you're sorry" and breaks down in his arms.

Characters:

Oliver Barrett IV:  Oliver is heir apparent to Barrett opulence and legacy (banking sector) aspires to do law from Harvard. He has a tumultuous relationship with his father for 'being programmed for Barrett tradition." He feels he is constantly compared by his father's personal proficiency. Barrett is a big name in Harvard block because of their generous donations. He has insane approach to be topper in whatever he does and again he attributes it to family heritage. He is often embarrassed by his family's wealth and connection. He is an exceptional hockey player. He falls in love with Jenny who is very much contrast to him in every possible way. He is gallant enough to marry Jenny when his father threatens to disinherit him. He adjusts himself to simpler life or what he calls scrounge. When Jenny is diagnosed with leukemia, he feels guilty; buys tickets to Paris, which Jenny couldn't go. For him to come out of his father's shadow is a task. He is the guy who will go to any extent for his loved ones. He is an emotional guy who loved his wife and wanted normal things in life. 

Jennifer Cavilleri: A witty, smart, spunky small-town girl from Cranston, Rhode Island, studying music major in Radcliffe, bagged a scholarship for higher studies in France. She lost her mother to a motor vehicle accident and raised single-handedly by her father whom she address by his first name. She shares a loving relationship with her father and values a great deal about it. She is catholic by religion, but atheist by belief. She drops off the plan to go to Paris to marry Oliver. She is the one who worked her ass off as a teacher to put him through Law School. She tries hard to reconcile her husband with his estranged father. When she was diagnosed with dreadful disease, she was brave enough to accept it was nobody's fault.

Two more worth mentioning characters are Phil Cavilleri and Oliver Barrett III.

My take: "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. The Beatles. And me."

It starts with narration from Oliver about a girl. So, from the beginning readers will know the love story is doomed. I liked the elemental humor in conversation between Oliver and Jenny. There are not many characters in the book, but it touches a cord. It talks about relationship, family, marriage, pain, lose, and importantly love. In a short span of knowing each other, protagonists go through a lot of struggle, yet they are optimistic about the future until the destiny struck them really hard. There are lot of cuss words used in conversation, but it definitely worked for them. By far Jenny is my personal favourite. She is not some damsel in distress or conventional heroine that we come across often in stories. And the remarkable "Love means never having to say you're sorry." That is perhaps one of the dumbest things I heard. Love means got to say sorry when one is at fault.

It is 45 years old, but still holds good in so many aspect. It is a breezy read, though not a tearjerker for me. I recommend to go ahead and read it because it deserves to be read.

I can think of two movies which were inspired by Love Story. One is Khawhish, staring Mallika Sherawat, yes before the noted "murder". Another one is "Amritadhare" Kannada movie starring Ramya and Dhyan.

My favourite quotes are:

What the hell makes you so smart?" I asked. "I wouldn't go for coffee with you," she answered. "Listen, I wouldn't ask you." "That" she replied is what makes you stupid."

"Please, if one of us cries, let both of us cry. But preferably neither of us."

"He had then warned his daughter not to violate the Eleventh Commandment." "Which is what"? I asked her. "Do 
not bullshit thy father," she said.