Encompassing Father’s Love: Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks

My Personal Rating:

At the time of writing, I’ve read this book a total of four times.

Initially, I wasn’t impressed by the story and can barely believe that it was written by the same guy who gave my teenage heart a somersault with The Notebook and A Walk to Remember. For a year, the book lay at the corner of my shelf, forgotten and gathering dust. I rarely give second chances to “meh” types, but something compelled me to give it another shot. 

It was a winning decision. 

The second read was when I started appreciating its narrative and overall message. It’s a story of an unconditional, all-encompassing father’s love. I’ve read it twice more, and each time is more emotionally provoking than before.

The story is told from Russ Green’s perspective, a successful advertising executive, a loving husband, a doting father, a loyal brother, and a dutiful son. In a gradual succession of wrong decisions, daily life, and maybe some bad luck, he came to a heart-shattering realization that he is on the brink of losing his career, marriage, daughter, sister, and home. 

Two by Two has the distinct Sparks brand, yet different from his tried-and-tested romantic formula. It is centered on domestic challenges, with a bit of romance on the side. Russ’s internal and external conflict directly impacts him and the other main characters; their sorrows and joys are so relatable that their struggles are real. 

What’s best about this book is how well each character was developed. The readers were shown who the characters were, their role, and their relationship to another. Each person’s motivation and goals are clear, their actions and decisions logical. The plot doesn’t feel forced, and the dialogue is relatively natural.

Russ is a flawed character yet has integrity rare and challenging to achieve. Some readers may perceive him as weak because he seemingly doesn’t stand up for himself and avoids conflict with his wife. Yet he has the strength to endure what he did, resolve to do what is right and for those he cares about. 

I particularly love the relationship between Russ and his daughter. It reminds me of my childhood, a time when my dad has to make a living while building a home, heal his broken pieces and love me without reservations. As Russ juggles work demands and duties as a dad, the usual mundane activities turn to meaningful and heart-melting memories. 

On the other hand, there are areas of the book where it could have been better. Because this is a Nicholas Sparks book, someone may or may not die as the story unravels. And in my opinion, this may or may not be death is an unnecessary distraction. Sure, it evokes a high emotional impact. But I genuinely believe that Sparks is capable of writing a great payoff without being too bloodthirsty. 

If you are one of the multitudes who cried buckets reading (or watching) The Last Song, this is a book for you. After finishing this novel, it’s guaranteed that you will run to your loved ones to hold them with might and resolve never to let go.