Summary This chapter begins with the same words as a Prologue: “When I was seventeen, my life changed forever.” Because Jamie agrees to marry Landon but has little time left, frantic preparations begin. Reverend Sullivan officiates the wedding; Landon’s dad serves as his best man, as is the Southern custom, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 13Summary and Analysis Chapter 12
Summary In this, the longest chapter of the novel, Landon discovers that Jamie has leukemia. She and her father have known for seven months and have told no one, deciding that they would rather live without the sadness and pity of others for as long as possible. Jamie and Landon […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 12Summary and Analysis Chapter 11
Summary Landon and Jamie begin to date. On New Year’s Eve, he takes her to a fancy restaurant on the advice of his mother. He first receives Reverend Sullivan’s blessing, however, and when he does, Landon notices that Reverend Sullivan cries as Landon leaves his office. Landon also notices that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 11Summary and Analysis Chapter 10
Summary Later that night, Landon contemplates Reverend Sullivan’s recent odd behavior, in which he appears sad and disconnected. Landon and Jamie discuss God and the importance of continued faith, and Landon invites Jamie to his house for Christmas dinner. Landon then holds Jamie’s hand, and although he hopes for a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 10Summary and Analysis Chapter 9
Summary The play is a huge success, and everyone is amazed at Jamie’s transformative beauty. When, after the closing curtain, Jamie thanks Landon for his part in the play, he feels a pang of sadness at not being able to walk her home that night. By the following Monday, however, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 9Summary and Analysis Chapter 8
Summary Feeling badly about hurting Jamie, Landon approaches her the night of the play to apologize; he finds himself holding her hand. After the two head to their respective dressing rooms, Eric enters and asks what funny or mean stunt Landon plans to pull during the performance. When Landon answers […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 8Summary and Analysis Chapter 7
Summary Excitement about the play builds in the community, especially because the playwright’s daughter has the starring role this year. But Landon feels no such excitement because his friends tease him relentlessly over his connection to Jamie. Landon begins walking Jamie home each night, at her request, because of the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 7Summary and Analysis Chapter 6
Summary In response to Jamie’s idea to perform in front of the orphans, Miss Garber, the drama teacher, suggests that the entire cast (not just Jamie and Landon) perform for the orphans. Jamie and Landon are charged with driving to Morehead City, the next town over, and asking the orphanage […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 6Summary and Analysis Chapter 5
Summary Landon secures the role of Tom Thornton and begins three weeks of rehearsals with the rest of the cast, led by the drama teacher, Miss Garber. Acting does not come naturally to Landon so he has to work hard both to remember his lines and to give a credible […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 5Summary and Analysis Chapter 4
Summary Life returns to normal for Landon. His father is back in Washington, D.C.; Landon and his friends sneak out to spend late nights at the graveyard; and Landon doesn’t see Jamie very much. Eventually Jamie calls Landon, although he first thinks the voice is Angela’s. Jamie asks Landon whether […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 4