A brief biography of the author...

Nicholas Sparks is known for a variety of books, some examples being The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Dear John. He has had over seven #1 New York Times bestsellers. Some of his stories were later became movies.

Sparks lives with his wife and family in North Carolina, the same place where most of his books take place.

Setting...

The Choice is set in present times in a small town in North Carolina.

Plot Summary...

Travis Parker has a live any man would want to live, including friends, a waterfront home, and the good life. He doesn't believe in serious relationships for fear they would put a damper on his lifestyle. He thinks that until Gabby Holland moves door.

Characters...

• Gabby Holland: Red hair, very distant. Isn't big on the type of guys Travis hangs out with.
• Travis Parker: Typical southern prep. Barbeques, boating, swimming, friends, etc. Probably muscular.

Theme...

The theme of the novel is that love conquers all. When Gabby suffers from an accident, Travis must make a life or death decision.

Conflict...

There are two major conflicts in The Choice.

1. Gabby won't talk to Travis due to her longtime boyfriend, and her general opposition to the stereotypical southern prep.
2. Gabby gets into an accident and falls into a coma. Travis decides whether she's taken off life support or put into long-term care.

Quotes...

• “If conversation was the lyrics, laughter was the music, making time spent together a melody that could be replayed over and over without getting stale.” This quote establishes travis's feelings about his love for Gabby.
• “How far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?” This quote is perhaps the most important quote about the whole book, because it establishes the whole mood.
• “How far should a person go in the name of true love?” Establishes a purpose.

Definitions...

• Dignify: honor
• Underscore: stress or emphasize
• Assail: attack with arguments
• Gregarious: fond of the company of others
• Proximate: imminent