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The Vow by Kim Carpenter (15-Jan-2012) Paperback
Life as Kim and Krickitt Carpenter knew it was shattered beyond recognition two months after their marriage when a devastating car wreck left Krickitt with a massive head injury and in a coma for weeks. When she finally awoke, she had no idea who Kim was and no recollection of their relationship. While Krickitt experienced personality changes common to those who suffer head injuries, Kim realized the woman he had married essentially died in the accident. And yet, against all odds, Kim and Krickitt fell in love all over again. The Vow tells the true story of this journey, one of a commitment unbroken and a vow fulfilled.
Includes an exclusive interview with Kim and Krickitt Carpenter!
Includes an exclusive interview with Kim and Krickitt Carpenter!
Unknown Binding
First published June 15, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,117 reviews
January 20, 2014
I was very disappointed by this book, and I think this is one of those rare instances where the movie will actually be better than the book.
By now, I'm sure everyone knows the story - and since there's a movie, there's no room for ending spoils, which is why I'll go into detail about what I didn't like.
The way the book was written was not ideal - the bylines say Kim and Krickett Carpenter, yet only Kim narrated. I would've liked to hear what Krickett had to say. And Kim was very repetitive. For a solid three chapters I heard about how she didn't recognize him, how she would insult him and this would lead to arguments. Surely, there had to be more to the story than that. By the time Kim decides to see a therapist (who decides the two need to start 'dating' again), I'm the one who's ready to give up. After what seems like three dates - and no indication of how they fell in love again - they are ready to remarry. I want to know: What made Krickitt decide to stay (besides the fact that she was a devout Christian - surely there was something inside her that said, I don't recognize this man, or this home, why don't I just start anew?) What was it like to fall in love again - what kinds of emotions led to this?
I understand why they decided to take their story to the media - for one, they really did believe they could help people, and hey, after a major accident they are left them in financial ruins. but the last two chapters seem to give more detail of their 16-year media tour and how their new best friends are Ann Curry and Leeza Gibbons, than it does of the year and a half after the accident.
By now, I'm sure everyone knows the story - and since there's a movie, there's no room for ending spoils, which is why I'll go into detail about what I didn't like.
The way the book was written was not ideal - the bylines say Kim and Krickett Carpenter, yet only Kim narrated. I would've liked to hear what Krickett had to say. And Kim was very repetitive. For a solid three chapters I heard about how she didn't recognize him, how she would insult him and this would lead to arguments. Surely, there had to be more to the story than that. By the time Kim decides to see a therapist (who decides the two need to start 'dating' again), I'm the one who's ready to give up. After what seems like three dates - and no indication of how they fell in love again - they are ready to remarry. I want to know: What made Krickitt decide to stay (besides the fact that she was a devout Christian - surely there was something inside her that said, I don't recognize this man, or this home, why don't I just start anew?) What was it like to fall in love again - what kinds of emotions led to this?
I understand why they decided to take their story to the media - for one, they really did believe they could help people, and hey, after a major accident they are left them in financial ruins. but the last two chapters seem to give more detail of their 16-year media tour and how their new best friends are Ann Curry and Leeza Gibbons, than it does of the year and a half after the accident.
April 2, 2012
I can not say enough good things about this book. In my honest opinion I think it should be required reading for any couple going through premarital counseling. After completing this easy read I honestly wanted nothing more than to hug their necks and tell them Thank You for sharing such a courageous story of their infinite faith and devotion to each other and to God.
But let me address the two most common complaints with this book.
It's Preachy: ok you are reading an amazing story of the miracle that God performed for this couple and their strong religious beliefs and faith are the very soul of this story. If you aren't religious then I could see you having this issue with it. However for me, and I consider myself a very religious person, I devoured the book as one of the greatest love stories ever told with God as the center of their relationship. I've read church bulletins that were "preachier" than this book. There is no condemnation of your own beliefs in this book, Kim and Kricket are simply telling you their story that includes their faith.
The writer tells the story very clinically without giving you details of how they fell in love again: Ok while this is partially true, it does read more clinical than emotional, you have to remember this is written by the husband who is NOT A WRITER. This is a real life story, not some fairytale. Please do not pick up this book expecting it to be exactly like the movie or a Nicholas Sparks novel because it is NOT A NOVEL.
I do wish we would have had a little more of an update on Kricket's behavior now at twenty years since the accident. We know she never regained her memory, but I am still curious as to how much of her personality returned and how much of the selfish, teenage tantrums still occur.
But let me address the two most common complaints with this book.
It's Preachy: ok you are reading an amazing story of the miracle that God performed for this couple and their strong religious beliefs and faith are the very soul of this story. If you aren't religious then I could see you having this issue with it. However for me, and I consider myself a very religious person, I devoured the book as one of the greatest love stories ever told with God as the center of their relationship. I've read church bulletins that were "preachier" than this book. There is no condemnation of your own beliefs in this book, Kim and Kricket are simply telling you their story that includes their faith.
The writer tells the story very clinically without giving you details of how they fell in love again: Ok while this is partially true, it does read more clinical than emotional, you have to remember this is written by the husband who is NOT A WRITER. This is a real life story, not some fairytale. Please do not pick up this book expecting it to be exactly like the movie or a Nicholas Sparks novel because it is NOT A NOVEL.
I do wish we would have had a little more of an update on Kricket's behavior now at twenty years since the accident. We know she never regained her memory, but I am still curious as to how much of her personality returned and how much of the selfish, teenage tantrums still occur.
June 18, 2025
Outra Vez O Amor
É sempre bom dissertar sobre Amor:
Amor é fogo que arde sem se ver
É ferida que dói e não se sente
É um contentamento descontente...
Oooops, parece que já ouvi isto em qualquer lado
E se calhar vocês também ?!
Bom...recomecemos então:
O Amor é como Fernando Pessoa...
Aposto que esta nunca ouviram, hein?
Continuando:
O que terá então o Amor em comum com Fernando Pessoa?
Há por aí ideias?
Talvez dando algum tempo para pensar:...
Já pensaram?
Ora óptimo!
É isso mesmo: são os heterónimos, pois claro!
Há o Amor pela família, pelos animais, pela natureza, pelos amigos, entre um casal, etc, etc...
Também podemos pensar no Amor como um arquipélago que é capaz de ser outra abordagem original
Como veem , apesar de já muito badalado ainda é possível encontrar novas formas de falar acerca deste nobre sentimento
E ainda bem, porque senão um destes dias, logo que se falasse ou escrevesse sobre Amor, os olhos e ouvidos fechar-se-iam o que acarretaria graves consequencias à felicidade de cada um...
Uma vez introduzido o tema, falemos então sobre este livro:
Sendo uma estória de amor verdadeira trata-se duma peça única
Nenhum dos membros do casal envolvido escreve profissionalmente. Encontram-se apenas a partilhar um momento algo complicado das suas vidas e como se socorreram do Amor para o enfrentar e superar
É uma estória vivida e sofrida que testemunha o poder milagroso deste sentimento e reconquista os mais desiludidos mostrando como ainda vale a pena investir nessa "strange lil thing called Love"!
5 gloriosas estrelas
É sempre bom dissertar sobre Amor:
Amor é fogo que arde sem se ver
É ferida que dói e não se sente
É um contentamento descontente...
Oooops, parece que já ouvi isto em qualquer lado
E se calhar vocês também ?!
Bom...recomecemos então:
O Amor é como Fernando Pessoa...
Aposto que esta nunca ouviram, hein?
Continuando:
O que terá então o Amor em comum com Fernando Pessoa?
Há por aí ideias?
Talvez dando algum tempo para pensar:...
Já pensaram?
Ora óptimo!
É isso mesmo: são os heterónimos, pois claro!
Há o Amor pela família, pelos animais, pela natureza, pelos amigos, entre um casal, etc, etc...
Também podemos pensar no Amor como um arquipélago que é capaz de ser outra abordagem original
Como veem , apesar de já muito badalado ainda é possível encontrar novas formas de falar acerca deste nobre sentimento
E ainda bem, porque senão um destes dias, logo que se falasse ou escrevesse sobre Amor, os olhos e ouvidos fechar-se-iam o que acarretaria graves consequencias à felicidade de cada um...
Uma vez introduzido o tema, falemos então sobre este livro:
Sendo uma estória de amor verdadeira trata-se duma peça única
Nenhum dos membros do casal envolvido escreve profissionalmente. Encontram-se apenas a partilhar um momento algo complicado das suas vidas e como se socorreram do Amor para o enfrentar e superar
É uma estória vivida e sofrida que testemunha o poder milagroso deste sentimento e reconquista os mais desiludidos mostrando como ainda vale a pena investir nessa "strange lil thing called Love"!
5 gloriosas estrelas
August 25, 2024
If you're reading this book because you enjoyed the movie and want more of it, you'll be a bit shocked or confused when you read this. The movie is cute and Channing Tatum is a lot of fun to look at, but the love story in the movie completely leaves out the reason why they decided to keep their vows in such a terrible situation: they loved God and wanted to honor the commitment they made to him. So the book centers on that theme: honoring God and being faithful. I think it's a really beautiful story and a great example of the kind of marriage that I would hope to have if I do get married one day. It reminded me a lot of my parents and how my dad loved and cared for my mom when she couldn't care for herself. It's stories like this that warm my heart and give me hope that people can really love others unconditionally.
January 27, 2019
A very inspiring book. It was a very enjoyable read. It also shows just how the Lord Jesus works in our lives when we submit to Him. Sometimes we think what is happening isn't fair, but in the end, we can say, "all things work together for good to those who love God to those who
are called according to His purpose."
are called according to His purpose."
March 5, 2012
This is going to be a weird review for a couple of reasons. I can't really talk about this one without talking about the movie, because it's non-fiction, and I would have never read it if I didn't think the movie was compelling but could be better. I don't read non-fiction, but I picked this book up thinking it would be better than the movie. Wrong. And I want to apologize in advance to the Carpenters as this won't be a five star review. I couldn't decide whether I should review this or not, because it's a true story, and I don't want to offend anyone. But I've checked the amazon reviews and my thoughts seem to be on par with a lot of people's.
The Carpenters are in a car wreck the day before Thanksgiving which leaves Krickitt in a coma. The movie opens up here. The book starts a year and a half earlier. The problem is this is the inciting incident. I know it's non-fiction, but I've read memoirs need to be as compelling as a novel. The story starts here. Another difference is that the movie moves pretty quickly from the car accident to her trying to rebuild her life. The book spends way too long on the details of her hospitalization and recovery.
The thing that surprised me is even though this is a memoir and the movie is fiction, I found the movie more believable in many aspects than the book. The couple were basically pen-pals for the first year of their relationship. They met in person 2 months before they got married and were only married 10 weeks before the accident. It then took a year and a half after the accident for them to rebuild any sort of relationship worth having. I know it's true, and I don't doubt it did happen, but there wasn't enough relationship building in the book to make me believe it as I read it. A couple of other things bothered me about the book. For example, I found the characters in the movie easier to relate to. Now, it's true an over-achiever who finally drops out of law school to do something artsy and takes crap from the whole family for it hits close to home for me, but I just felt the characters in the movie were more well rounded. (I'm not in any way implying that the Carpenters are not well-rounded individuals, just that you don't get that from the book).
Part of the reason I chose this book was because I caught part of an interview with the couple where they said they liked the movie but wish it paid more attention to the role their faith played in staying married. I find lots of expectations when writing and lots of things available for reading to be anti-faith. I thought I'd give this a try. I think the fundamental problem is that it's too much the other way. Rather than building characters (which should be easy to do--the writer knows these people) and building relationships, the writer spends the majority of every page in excerpts from prayer journals. If he really felt it was necessary one or two excerpts for examples would have been fine, but this book reads more like a list of events squeezed between prayers than a story. And I don't know that the overtness makes God's role more apparent to the story. If you're going to have massive head trauma and memory loss, Krickitt Carpenter's situation is the ideal way to do it. They had lots of really supportive family and friends. Her family wanted them to stay together had they taken advantage of her memory loss the way Paige's family in the movie did, I'm not sure this couple would have made it. In spite of having a family that wanted to get rid of her husband and not being able to remember who he was Paige still ended up where she was supposed to be. When she dropped out of law school the second time for the same reason. I just thought "Wow, you always end up where you're supposed to be. All roads lead to the same place." If I didn't believe in God I'd have to call it fate. Then she ends up with her husband again. I actually found that more amazing than being able to stay together with lots of encouragement and support. And it's kind of reflective of life too. We make bad or dumb decisions from time to time. It's called being human, but years later when I look back on it, I often find that had I gone another route I'd still end up where I am today.
bethfred.com
The Carpenters are in a car wreck the day before Thanksgiving which leaves Krickitt in a coma. The movie opens up here. The book starts a year and a half earlier. The problem is this is the inciting incident. I know it's non-fiction, but I've read memoirs need to be as compelling as a novel. The story starts here. Another difference is that the movie moves pretty quickly from the car accident to her trying to rebuild her life. The book spends way too long on the details of her hospitalization and recovery.
The thing that surprised me is even though this is a memoir and the movie is fiction, I found the movie more believable in many aspects than the book. The couple were basically pen-pals for the first year of their relationship. They met in person 2 months before they got married and were only married 10 weeks before the accident. It then took a year and a half after the accident for them to rebuild any sort of relationship worth having. I know it's true, and I don't doubt it did happen, but there wasn't enough relationship building in the book to make me believe it as I read it. A couple of other things bothered me about the book. For example, I found the characters in the movie easier to relate to. Now, it's true an over-achiever who finally drops out of law school to do something artsy and takes crap from the whole family for it hits close to home for me, but I just felt the characters in the movie were more well rounded. (I'm not in any way implying that the Carpenters are not well-rounded individuals, just that you don't get that from the book).
Part of the reason I chose this book was because I caught part of an interview with the couple where they said they liked the movie but wish it paid more attention to the role their faith played in staying married. I find lots of expectations when writing and lots of things available for reading to be anti-faith. I thought I'd give this a try. I think the fundamental problem is that it's too much the other way. Rather than building characters (which should be easy to do--the writer knows these people) and building relationships, the writer spends the majority of every page in excerpts from prayer journals. If he really felt it was necessary one or two excerpts for examples would have been fine, but this book reads more like a list of events squeezed between prayers than a story. And I don't know that the overtness makes God's role more apparent to the story. If you're going to have massive head trauma and memory loss, Krickitt Carpenter's situation is the ideal way to do it. They had lots of really supportive family and friends. Her family wanted them to stay together had they taken advantage of her memory loss the way Paige's family in the movie did, I'm not sure this couple would have made it. In spite of having a family that wanted to get rid of her husband and not being able to remember who he was Paige still ended up where she was supposed to be. When she dropped out of law school the second time for the same reason. I just thought "Wow, you always end up where you're supposed to be. All roads lead to the same place." If I didn't believe in God I'd have to call it fate. Then she ends up with her husband again. I actually found that more amazing than being able to stay together with lots of encouragement and support. And it's kind of reflective of life too. We make bad or dumb decisions from time to time. It's called being human, but years later when I look back on it, I often find that had I gone another route I'd still end up where I am today.
bethfred.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2012
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a Nicholas Sparks novel- I was so wrong. It is an incredible story but lacked the romance I was hoping for.
March 15, 2023
Es un libro no ficción, y creo que es el primero que leo. A pesar de que se me hizo un poco cuesta arriba y que por momentos me pareció excesivo en cuanto a lo religioso, entendí el mensaje final y fue grato entender la historia de vida de Kim y Krickitt llena de fé, amor y esperanza para con su matrimonio.
Ahora a ver la película 🎬
Ahora a ver la película 🎬
April 14, 2012
Five months ago my husband was in an accident and suffered a major head injury. So when my BBF dropped this book off to me yesterday. I was intrigued and read it from beginning to end. Our story is different in many ways. My husband remembered me but took time to remember others. We have been together for 18years and we already have children. But in many ways the thoughts and questions Kim had to work through are the same, the early days of my husband coming home were rough. Because of this the story for me was easy to relate to. Some reviews say it didn't have enough romance for them. I feel the simple moments of the book show real and true romance and more importantly love. True romance or love isn't the ripping off of clothes or the smoke of meaningless words. It's the staying and pushing through the hardships. The faith they had in God held them together. Love or romance is holding onto the glimpses of your future in someones eyes. Its grinding agaist your pain to continue on to be better for someone else. It's coming to the terms of lifes changes and becoming who you need to be ,to meet the needs of the ones most important to you. The book reminded me to pull my faith to the forefront and to be patient with love because that's God's biggest plan for us . God knows my place is beside husband today and always because of our vows.
June 13, 2022
Votos de amor nos relata la historia de Kim y Krickitt Carpenter quienes conservaron sus votos de amor y lograron superar las adversidades que llegaron a sus vidas a partir de un fatídico accidente de carretera producto del cual Krickitt perdió la memoria.
Una historia de amor real que fue llevada a la pantalla grande pero que impacta más el leerla.
Un libro que nos recalca el poder de la oración y una vida sustentada en la fe y el amor a Dios.
Una lectura edificante e inspiradora que nos recuerda lo que es el verdadero amor:
"El amor es sufrido, es benigno; el amor no tiene envidia, el amor no es jactancioso, no se envanece;
Todo lo sufre, todo lo cree, todo lo espera, todo lo soporta.
El amor nunca deja de ser."
Una historia de amor real que fue llevada a la pantalla grande pero que impacta más el leerla.
Un libro que nos recalca el poder de la oración y una vida sustentada en la fe y el amor a Dios.
Una lectura edificante e inspiradora que nos recuerda lo que es el verdadero amor:
"El amor es sufrido, es benigno; el amor no tiene envidia, el amor no es jactancioso, no se envanece;
Todo lo sufre, todo lo cree, todo lo espera, todo lo soporta.
El amor nunca deja de ser."
March 1, 2012
Very, very inspirational book. It's amazing how the prayers were answered from God.
"Krickitt's soul can't be affected by any injury because it's immortal. Her faith will always be there. It's there now. We've seen it. God has preserved her for some great purpose, and her faith is there to carry through." The ending paragraph of this book really hit me, I love this book. I can't wait to see the movie, I hope it's very inspirational like the book.
"Krickitt's soul can't be affected by any injury because it's immortal. Her faith will always be there. It's there now. We've seen it. God has preserved her for some great purpose, and her faith is there to carry through." The ending paragraph of this book really hit me, I love this book. I can't wait to see the movie, I hope it's very inspirational like the book.
May 10, 2012
Ugh. I decided to read the book that had been on the back of every shelf of every single library in the world (for good reason) because after seeing the trailer for the movie I was compelled to look for the book.. Being a reader myself and as im sure everyone thinks the same, books are always leagues aways from the movie.. So I started reading it, to make the story short I believe the movie will be better than the book. Something unheard of right? I havent seen it yet but ill give it that at least. I expect not to be completely dissapointed.. I even think the one star is too much. Repetitive and dull and full of God and the bible, not a book about love at all, if romance is what you seek. If id known before starting the book that the protagonist was actually religion it wouldnt have been so overbearing, but I didnt so I hated it. I mean they didnt even stay together for their love because im quiet sure she wasnt even feeling it at the moment, they were together for their vows to God and because being the religious people that they were (or are) they didnt want to get a divorce. That being said, theyre togehter so kudos to them. Anyways, the only reason to even consider this book is if you love God and faith and religion. Boring.
March 3, 2012
This is our March book club book. After seeing the movie, I was very intrigued to read this book. It's a quick read. I really enjoyed hearing about how their faith helped them through this trail. It's a great reminder that God is there for all of us. One of my favorite quotes, ”We don't dwell on the bad times but look ahead to the amazing things we know God still has in store for us.” One more that I loved, ” if there is something missing in your life, seek the Lord. If you once had him in your life And now he seems far away, guess who moved? He is still there; just go to him.”
March 5, 2012
This book was a super quick read but it was for sure uplifting!! It reminds you that love can conquer all! We cant see the whole picture but He can, this book helps you in remembering to trust in God. Now to see the movie :)
July 14, 2015
Heartwarming and inspirational.
I like it, but some parts are somewhat redundant.
I like it, but some parts are somewhat redundant.
July 8, 2012
Several months ago, my teenage daughter remarked that she wanted to see the movie, The Vow. When I was grocery shopping, I purchased the book in hope she would read the story. However, after the book sat for months unread, I decided to pick it up and check it out for myself.
This is when I discovered The Vow was based upon a true life story about Krickitt and Kim Carpenter. In 1992, the young couple met, bonded through their Christian faith and fell in love over a long distance phone call.
Shortly after, they were married and honeymooned in Hawaii. Ten weeks following their wedding, they unexpectedly survived a terrible car accident, which left Krickitt in a coma suffering severe head trauma. When Krickitt awoke, she experienced amnesia and had no recollection of meeting, dating or marrying her husband, Kim. Essentially, her past 18 months vanished from her memory.
I would definitely recommend reading this book. The inspirational true life story is what I loved most. I give a two thumbs up for Kim and Krickitt Carpenter for honoring their wedding vows. They took their vows seriously and kept them sacred. In this day and age, most marriages would have fallen to pieces and opted for a divorce.
In all honesty, while the main story was fantastic, I was disappointed there were some written mistakes in the book. The editing mistakes were (accidental) repeated words and spelling. This is why I only gave three stars, instead of five.
The book is NOTHING like the movie. I do NOT recommend the movie. Here is the post I wrote on my blog of the comparison between the two:
Once I finished reading this captivating real life story, I watched the movie, The Vow, with my teenage daughter. No sooner had the movie begun when I immediately noticed how Hollywood depicted a totally different story of Krickitt and Kim Carpenter.
From the smallest to the largest details, the movie was not what I had anticipated; an inspirational Christ-based story demonstrating God's miraculous power and grace.
Instead, I was shocked to discover Hollywood twisted and distorted the true life event. What should have been meant to glorify God, actually portrayed the farthest from the truth.
While the real couple, Krickitt and Kim Carpenter, led an upright Christian lifestyle, the couple in the movie, Paige and Leo (Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum), led a secular lifestyle, which was not the least bit Christ-like. A few examples are premarital sex and living together before marriage.
In addition, Hollywood tainted the movie, The Vow, by having Paige's father involved in an extra-marital affair, which actually never happened in the real life story. What highly disturbed me the most about the Hollywood version of The Vow, was having Paige and Leo divorce in the movie. Divorce destroys the sacredness of marriage vows.
"For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless." Malachi 2:16
Quite frankly, I can not fathom why on earth Krickitt and Kim Carpenter sold out their faith for Hollywood? They permitted their inspirational real life story to be turned into complete trash. Sadly, sleaze sells in our sick, demented society. Who better than Hollywood to portray lack of values or morals, yet have it glorified?
As a Christian Believer, I am utterly disappointed in the movie version and extremely disturbed this couple did not prayerfully choose a Christian producer, such as Sherwood Pictures who made Fireproof and Facing the Giants. Most importantly, I believe the Carpenter's sold out their faith in the name of the mighty buck.
Dear Lord, may I NEVER sell out on my Christian faith to you no matter how much money or power is promised....
"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" Matthew 16:26
This is when I discovered The Vow was based upon a true life story about Krickitt and Kim Carpenter. In 1992, the young couple met, bonded through their Christian faith and fell in love over a long distance phone call.
Shortly after, they were married and honeymooned in Hawaii. Ten weeks following their wedding, they unexpectedly survived a terrible car accident, which left Krickitt in a coma suffering severe head trauma. When Krickitt awoke, she experienced amnesia and had no recollection of meeting, dating or marrying her husband, Kim. Essentially, her past 18 months vanished from her memory.
I would definitely recommend reading this book. The inspirational true life story is what I loved most. I give a two thumbs up for Kim and Krickitt Carpenter for honoring their wedding vows. They took their vows seriously and kept them sacred. In this day and age, most marriages would have fallen to pieces and opted for a divorce.
In all honesty, while the main story was fantastic, I was disappointed there were some written mistakes in the book. The editing mistakes were (accidental) repeated words and spelling. This is why I only gave three stars, instead of five.
The book is NOTHING like the movie. I do NOT recommend the movie. Here is the post I wrote on my blog of the comparison between the two:
Once I finished reading this captivating real life story, I watched the movie, The Vow, with my teenage daughter. No sooner had the movie begun when I immediately noticed how Hollywood depicted a totally different story of Krickitt and Kim Carpenter.
From the smallest to the largest details, the movie was not what I had anticipated; an inspirational Christ-based story demonstrating God's miraculous power and grace.
Instead, I was shocked to discover Hollywood twisted and distorted the true life event. What should have been meant to glorify God, actually portrayed the farthest from the truth.
While the real couple, Krickitt and Kim Carpenter, led an upright Christian lifestyle, the couple in the movie, Paige and Leo (Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum), led a secular lifestyle, which was not the least bit Christ-like. A few examples are premarital sex and living together before marriage.
In addition, Hollywood tainted the movie, The Vow, by having Paige's father involved in an extra-marital affair, which actually never happened in the real life story. What highly disturbed me the most about the Hollywood version of The Vow, was having Paige and Leo divorce in the movie. Divorce destroys the sacredness of marriage vows.
"For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless." Malachi 2:16
Quite frankly, I can not fathom why on earth Krickitt and Kim Carpenter sold out their faith for Hollywood? They permitted their inspirational real life story to be turned into complete trash. Sadly, sleaze sells in our sick, demented society. Who better than Hollywood to portray lack of values or morals, yet have it glorified?
As a Christian Believer, I am utterly disappointed in the movie version and extremely disturbed this couple did not prayerfully choose a Christian producer, such as Sherwood Pictures who made Fireproof and Facing the Giants. Most importantly, I believe the Carpenter's sold out their faith in the name of the mighty buck.
Dear Lord, may I NEVER sell out on my Christian faith to you no matter how much money or power is promised....
"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" Matthew 16:26
June 26, 2018
I came to know this book when I watched the movie (which was good but could be better) and I was curious to read the real story from the real people. The book is told by Kim Carpenter but not Krickitt and I wish that she had also told us her story and what she went through. I wanted to know what she felt when she suddenly woke up and discovered that she was married to a stranger, how she coped with that and what made her decide to fight for her marriage.
And although Kim tells his story, I expected a bit more development in how they rekindled their relationship. He tells us they fall in love again, but we don’t read it for ourselves.
Apart from that, this is an amazing story, of survival and strength and love. Not only is surprising how Krickitt survived the crash and the following days, but also how Kim stayed by her even in their darkest moments, when it seemed like he had lost her. And it amazes me how they both relied in God to help them. I don’t believe in God and it was a bit weird at first to read how they so vehemently did believed in him, but the important thing is that that belief helped them overcome all the adversities they faced and that got to me. It’s an inspiring story and I glad I read the book instead of just watching the movie.
And although Kim tells his story, I expected a bit more development in how they rekindled their relationship. He tells us they fall in love again, but we don’t read it for ourselves.
Apart from that, this is an amazing story, of survival and strength and love. Not only is surprising how Krickitt survived the crash and the following days, but also how Kim stayed by her even in their darkest moments, when it seemed like he had lost her. And it amazes me how they both relied in God to help them. I don’t believe in God and it was a bit weird at first to read how they so vehemently did believed in him, but the important thing is that that belief helped them overcome all the adversities they faced and that got to me. It’s an inspiring story and I glad I read the book instead of just watching the movie.
February 18, 2012
I loved the story, but didn't feel like it was all that well written. The story alone is what kept me reading - Kim and Krickitt are inspiring people and the events surrounding their lives are tragic, yet also uplifting (in how the handled them). However, the book came off as very repetitive. Even as a short read, I felt like most pages after the accident were repeats of the same information/concept, written in almost the same way.
I think the book would have benefited from some of Krickitt's perspective. Kim shared some journal entries, but I would have enjoyed some POV jumping - Kim vs. Krickitt. Really the inspiration of it all came from them both - they both should have been represented in the writing.
This is definitely one instance where I'm fairly certain the movie will be better than the book.
The story with the Carpenter's faith-centered, Christ-centered perseverance is what kept me reading. The inspiration of how they endured, respected their vows, supported each other, and never gave up is what kept me remotely interested. I look forward to seeing the movie!
I think the book would have benefited from some of Krickitt's perspective. Kim shared some journal entries, but I would have enjoyed some POV jumping - Kim vs. Krickitt. Really the inspiration of it all came from them both - they both should have been represented in the writing.
This is definitely one instance where I'm fairly certain the movie will be better than the book.
The story with the Carpenter's faith-centered, Christ-centered perseverance is what kept me reading. The inspiration of how they endured, respected their vows, supported each other, and never gave up is what kept me remotely interested. I look forward to seeing the movie!
March 29, 2020
The Vow is a powerful and inspiring book that completely explains the meaning of the vow "for better or worst". I have watched the movie before and loved it but the book is a million times better. The book explains the difficult and devoted love story of Kim and Krickett Carpenter. Starting from the beginning, the book covers there early courtship. Kim quickly falls in love with Krickett when she helps him with ordering jerseys for his baseball team. With subsequent phone calls and eventual "in person" meeting there relationship blossomed until they were finally married. Kim and Kricketts devoted faith and belief in God make this relationship as strong as they come. After just mere months of marriage Krickett and Kim experience a horrific accident that leaves Krickett with severe memory loss and personality changes. Through the power of prayer and everlasting love Kim and Krickett work to restore there relationship and come out stronger from it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone especially those working through difficult times with a loved one. I honestly wish I could read it for the first time all over again.
April 26, 2012
Buku ini bagus banget...buku ini bukanlah buku yg hanya menceritakan kisah romantis ataupun kisah perjuangan sang suami untuk menyelamatkan istrinya. Tetap banyak hal yang aq peroleh setelah baca buku ini. Yang pasti baca buku ini menyadarkan kepada kita kalau disaat kita memiliki banyak masalah janganlah khawatir tetapi serahkan semuanya kepada Tuhan dan jangan pernah berpikir kalau Tuhan jauh dari kita atau tidak mendengarkan doa kita. Karena Tuhan tau apa yang terbaik untuk kita.
Selain itu, ada pesan penting dari buku ini untuk kita semua yaitu lebih baik memberi daripada menerima. Sehingga disaat kita menghadapi banyak masalah dalam hidup kita maka belajarlah untuk menerimanya bukan menjauh dari masalah dan saling berbagi dengan keluarga, teman dan terkhusus pada Tuhan. Sehingga kita akan tau apa arti menerima dan sebagai hasilnya kita akan tahu bagaimana untuk memberi kepada orang lain.
Ada beberapa kalimat2 dibuku 'The Vow' yang aku baca,,,sepertinya menarik untuk bahan renungan :
1. Being a Christian is having an ongoing intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. When I heard that Christ had died for me so my sins could be forgiven, it was the most awesome news I’d ever heard.
3. the message of Christ had touched me. It wasn’t a quick process, but in time I came to fully trust and follow Jesus as my Savior.
4. She had incorporated her faith into every part of her life. She wasn’t a Christian just on Sunday mornings; being a Christian was the core of who she was. And I adored that about her.
5. “Lord, I really need your wisdom and Spirit to guide me with Kimmer. . . . Part of me wants to meet him—I think it would be fun. Part of me doesn’t because I don’t want to begin to have feelings for him if this is not of you. If it is, I pray you would show me that. I want to be led by you. I see so many ways in which we relate, but you must be the center.”
6. “Life isn’t fair; it’s life,” she said softly, confidently. “Everybody has times when they feel like God’s just not there. But he’s always there, always bringing you closer to him, even when your mother’s sick and your baseball team isn’t playing well.”
7. Philippians 4:6–9—Read and dwell on this.
8. The Lord is constantly teaching us. I know He has me in His right pocket and I’m very safe there. I love to see Him really work in my life, and I know He’ll use me in His due time.”
9. you can’t do it by yourself. You need God,.”
10. “God hasn’t forgotten you,” he said with quiet confidence. “God will never forget you. He says he will never leave you comfortless, and he won’t. You can’t use him up or wear him out. Hang on to him, Kim. He’s the most powerful force for good you have. He won’t forget you. So please don’t forget him.”
11. “Dear Lord, I thank you so much for being by my side and being so faithful to me. I need you now, and daily. I can see that I cannot do this on my own strength, but I need you to carry me and help me through each and every day
12. From that moment on we gave it up to God. Our lives were in his hands, and he was having us look to the future, not to the past.
13. Our family lives by three sayings. -> The first is that we “dothe right thing.” If you were to walk up to one of my kids on the street and say, “Remember . . .” they will respond with, “do the right thing.” -> Our second saying is, “It’s important to give it all you got.” We have learned that life is precious, so while we’re here we need to give all we have. -> our third saying is, “I got gaps, and together we fill them.” Think about that for a moment. We all have things that we’re good at and not-so-good at, but together we fill each other’s gaps. When we work together and complement each other by filling in the gaps, we can achieve our dreams hand in hand. I believe that as our family lives out those three things, we can give to others what has been given to us. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
14. I’m no hero. I have made mistakes just like anyone else has, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without my faith and trust in him. This story is not about me, and it’s not about Krickitt. It’s about the Lord and how He brought my wife and me through a terrible time to a life that is greater than we could have ever imagined.
15. I want you to remember that in life you will encounter some very tough times, but you can find your strength in God. If there is something missing in your life, seek the Lord. If you once had him in your life and now he seems far away, guess who moved? He is still there; just go
to him. He loves you with an everlasting love, and through obedience to him all commitments will endure.
16. Life is a gift from the Lord and he is our refuge and strength in good times and bad, in sickness and in health. He has blessed us by creating individuals that have played such an instrumental role in our lives.
17. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Selain itu, ada pesan penting dari buku ini untuk kita semua yaitu lebih baik memberi daripada menerima. Sehingga disaat kita menghadapi banyak masalah dalam hidup kita maka belajarlah untuk menerimanya bukan menjauh dari masalah dan saling berbagi dengan keluarga, teman dan terkhusus pada Tuhan. Sehingga kita akan tau apa arti menerima dan sebagai hasilnya kita akan tahu bagaimana untuk memberi kepada orang lain.
Ada beberapa kalimat2 dibuku 'The Vow' yang aku baca,,,sepertinya menarik untuk bahan renungan :
1. Being a Christian is having an ongoing intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. When I heard that Christ had died for me so my sins could be forgiven, it was the most awesome news I’d ever heard.
3. the message of Christ had touched me. It wasn’t a quick process, but in time I came to fully trust and follow Jesus as my Savior.
4. She had incorporated her faith into every part of her life. She wasn’t a Christian just on Sunday mornings; being a Christian was the core of who she was. And I adored that about her.
5. “Lord, I really need your wisdom and Spirit to guide me with Kimmer. . . . Part of me wants to meet him—I think it would be fun. Part of me doesn’t because I don’t want to begin to have feelings for him if this is not of you. If it is, I pray you would show me that. I want to be led by you. I see so many ways in which we relate, but you must be the center.”
6. “Life isn’t fair; it’s life,” she said softly, confidently. “Everybody has times when they feel like God’s just not there. But he’s always there, always bringing you closer to him, even when your mother’s sick and your baseball team isn’t playing well.”
7. Philippians 4:6–9—Read and dwell on this.
8. The Lord is constantly teaching us. I know He has me in His right pocket and I’m very safe there. I love to see Him really work in my life, and I know He’ll use me in His due time.”
9. you can’t do it by yourself. You need God,.”
10. “God hasn’t forgotten you,” he said with quiet confidence. “God will never forget you. He says he will never leave you comfortless, and he won’t. You can’t use him up or wear him out. Hang on to him, Kim. He’s the most powerful force for good you have. He won’t forget you. So please don’t forget him.”
11. “Dear Lord, I thank you so much for being by my side and being so faithful to me. I need you now, and daily. I can see that I cannot do this on my own strength, but I need you to carry me and help me through each and every day
12. From that moment on we gave it up to God. Our lives were in his hands, and he was having us look to the future, not to the past.
13. Our family lives by three sayings. -> The first is that we “dothe right thing.” If you were to walk up to one of my kids on the street and say, “Remember . . .” they will respond with, “do the right thing.” -> Our second saying is, “It’s important to give it all you got.” We have learned that life is precious, so while we’re here we need to give all we have. -> our third saying is, “I got gaps, and together we fill them.” Think about that for a moment. We all have things that we’re good at and not-so-good at, but together we fill each other’s gaps. When we work together and complement each other by filling in the gaps, we can achieve our dreams hand in hand. I believe that as our family lives out those three things, we can give to others what has been given to us. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
14. I’m no hero. I have made mistakes just like anyone else has, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without my faith and trust in him. This story is not about me, and it’s not about Krickitt. It’s about the Lord and how He brought my wife and me through a terrible time to a life that is greater than we could have ever imagined.
15. I want you to remember that in life you will encounter some very tough times, but you can find your strength in God. If there is something missing in your life, seek the Lord. If you once had him in your life and now he seems far away, guess who moved? He is still there; just go
to him. He loves you with an everlasting love, and through obedience to him all commitments will endure.
16. Life is a gift from the Lord and he is our refuge and strength in good times and bad, in sickness and in health. He has blessed us by creating individuals that have played such an instrumental role in our lives.
17. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
January 22, 2020
2.5 stars
Heartbreaking, struggling, devastating, inspirational and emotional story.
Heartbreaking, struggling, devastating, inspirational and emotional story.
October 9, 2013
Já há algum tempo, fui presenteada com um livrinho adorável - the vow - que devorei numa hora, se tanto!
Trata-se duma história de amor, que não pertence ao reino da fantasia! É, para variar, bem real e por isso é tão especial!
Numa época em que os desentendimentos e divórcios estão na ordem do dia, o casal Carpenter apostou e investiu no Amor, mostrando-nos ser possível um relaccionamento durar e perdurar!
Quando terminamos este livro, por mais desilusões que tenhamos coleccionado, há um pensamento que nos assalta:
Se resultou com eles porque não connosco?
Bem...nao vou adiantar nada sobre a história mas...não resisto a deixar aqui algumas citações que colhi na edição original, so' para estimular o apetite dos mais curiosos:
I chose to stay with him for all the things that he did right and not leave him for one thing that he did wrong.
Not knowing whether to try harder or just give up..
Love doesn’t walk away…. people do.
Sometimes you end up losing yourself trying to hold onto someone who doesn’t care about losing you.
Love doesn’t need a reason. It speaks from the irrational wisdom of the heart.
Never give up on something you really want. It’s difficult to wait, but more difficult to regret.
I vow to speak when words are needed.
I vow to help you love life.
What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you?
The worst thing about distance is that you don’t know whether they’ll miss you or forget you.
I vow to always hold you with tenderness & to have the patience that love demands.
Just because I let you go, It doesn’t mean that I wanted to.
I never knew, love like I’ve known it with you.
Smile! Someone out there needs it.
Life’s all about moments of impact, and how they change our lives forever.
I vow to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home.
I vow to love you. And no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other.
I have nothing, If I don’t have you.
We’ll never lose it again, cause once you know what love is.. you never let it end.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it destination full of hope.
Don’t blame me for walking away when you never even asked me to stay.
Cherish all the moments with your loved ones, before they turn into memories.
If there ever comes a day when we cant be together, keep me in your heart and I’ll stay there forever.
When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, and no one can ever tear them apart.
It’s sad when two people are meant to be together, but they’re both too afraid to do anything about it.
A person who truly loves you, is someone who sees the pain in your eyes, while everyone else believes the smile on your face.
It’s hard to wait for something you know might never happen, but it’s even harder to give up when you know it’s everything you want.
If It’s meant to be, It’ll be.
Trying to forget someone you love is like trying to remember someone you never even met.
The hardest part of moving on is not looking back at the memories I once shared with someone.
Sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together.
Everything that I fell in love with is still there.
How do you look at the girl you love and tell yourself it’s time to walk away?
Trata-se duma história de amor, que não pertence ao reino da fantasia! É, para variar, bem real e por isso é tão especial!
Numa época em que os desentendimentos e divórcios estão na ordem do dia, o casal Carpenter apostou e investiu no Amor, mostrando-nos ser possível um relaccionamento durar e perdurar!
Quando terminamos este livro, por mais desilusões que tenhamos coleccionado, há um pensamento que nos assalta:
Se resultou com eles porque não connosco?
Bem...nao vou adiantar nada sobre a história mas...não resisto a deixar aqui algumas citações que colhi na edição original, so' para estimular o apetite dos mais curiosos:
I chose to stay with him for all the things that he did right and not leave him for one thing that he did wrong.
Not knowing whether to try harder or just give up..
Love doesn’t walk away…. people do.
Sometimes you end up losing yourself trying to hold onto someone who doesn’t care about losing you.
Love doesn’t need a reason. It speaks from the irrational wisdom of the heart.
Never give up on something you really want. It’s difficult to wait, but more difficult to regret.
I vow to speak when words are needed.
I vow to help you love life.
What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you?
The worst thing about distance is that you don’t know whether they’ll miss you or forget you.
I vow to always hold you with tenderness & to have the patience that love demands.
Just because I let you go, It doesn’t mean that I wanted to.
I never knew, love like I’ve known it with you.
Smile! Someone out there needs it.
Life’s all about moments of impact, and how they change our lives forever.
I vow to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home.
I vow to love you. And no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other.
I have nothing, If I don’t have you.
We’ll never lose it again, cause once you know what love is.. you never let it end.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it destination full of hope.
Don’t blame me for walking away when you never even asked me to stay.
Cherish all the moments with your loved ones, before they turn into memories.
If there ever comes a day when we cant be together, keep me in your heart and I’ll stay there forever.
When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, and no one can ever tear them apart.
It’s sad when two people are meant to be together, but they’re both too afraid to do anything about it.
A person who truly loves you, is someone who sees the pain in your eyes, while everyone else believes the smile on your face.
It’s hard to wait for something you know might never happen, but it’s even harder to give up when you know it’s everything you want.
If It’s meant to be, It’ll be.
Trying to forget someone you love is like trying to remember someone you never even met.
The hardest part of moving on is not looking back at the memories I once shared with someone.
Sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together.
Everything that I fell in love with is still there.
How do you look at the girl you love and tell yourself it’s time to walk away?
March 26, 2012
I picked up this book after finding that people who downloaded books with similar taste with me also picked up this. I was intrigued upon seeing the cover, I realised then, the cover made me attracted to read the book.
The novel much basically covers Kim's whole point of view the first few chapters were interesting especially on how they met, fell in love and then, when the accident happened, life changed especially when Krickitt's short term memory of being married to Kim had been wiped out from her memory.
The moment Krickit's recovery progress started after she went back to live with her husband, the plot seemed shallow since it doesn't delve further on their misunderstandings even Krickitt's point of view. I would love to know how they dated even special moments that they have especially when Kim had to go through the whole process of courting his wife whom doesn't even realise that they are married to each other. That would have been better and made the story much more interesting since Kim deliberated the first part on how they met and fell in love with each other.
The last two chapters can be easily combined since most of it focused on the attention they got with the media, and maybe they just need to simplify the story on how their life has changed. But, I personally think Kim doesn't want to delve into that further, since the message they want to deliver is - how hard or difficult a marriage is, believe in God and believe in yourself.
"You might be married to the worst man ever, like Asyah was married to Pharaoh - but it didn’t change her and her loyalty and love to Allah.
You might be married to the best of men, like Prophet of God, and still not enter Heaven - like the wife of Nabi Lut a.s.
You might be not married to any man, like Maryam (alaiha salam), and Allah can make your rank higher than any women on the Earth. Know your priorities. Love and trust is with Allah first."
The novel much basically covers Kim's whole point of view the first few chapters were interesting especially on how they met, fell in love and then, when the accident happened, life changed especially when Krickitt's short term memory of being married to Kim had been wiped out from her memory.
The moment Krickit's recovery progress started after she went back to live with her husband, the plot seemed shallow since it doesn't delve further on their misunderstandings even Krickitt's point of view. I would love to know how they dated even special moments that they have especially when Kim had to go through the whole process of courting his wife whom doesn't even realise that they are married to each other. That would have been better and made the story much more interesting since Kim deliberated the first part on how they met and fell in love with each other.
The last two chapters can be easily combined since most of it focused on the attention they got with the media, and maybe they just need to simplify the story on how their life has changed. But, I personally think Kim doesn't want to delve into that further, since the message they want to deliver is - how hard or difficult a marriage is, believe in God and believe in yourself.
"You might be married to the worst man ever, like Asyah was married to Pharaoh - but it didn’t change her and her loyalty and love to Allah.
You might be married to the best of men, like Prophet of God, and still not enter Heaven - like the wife of Nabi Lut a.s.
You might be not married to any man, like Maryam (alaiha salam), and Allah can make your rank higher than any women on the Earth. Know your priorities. Love and trust is with Allah first."
November 13, 2013
Kim Carpenter tells the gripping story of his whirlwind romance and marriage to Krikkit, followed two months later by a devastating three-vehicle accident that put his new wife into a comma. Miraculously, she survived the severe brain injury and coma - but she had lost all memories of meeting, courting, marrying, honeymooning and beginning a new life with her husband.
This is a book of great love and faith through huge obstacles that kept me glued to the page. Kim is courageously honest in retelling the heartbreak and struggles for both him and Krikket and includes excerpts from Krikket's journals, though I would have loved to have heard directly from her. It seems pedantic to mention some minor editorial glitches because this is an inspiring story of faith and love that lifts the heart and leaves one smiling.
This is a book of great love and faith through huge obstacles that kept me glued to the page. Kim is courageously honest in retelling the heartbreak and struggles for both him and Krikket and includes excerpts from Krikket's journals, though I would have loved to have heard directly from her. It seems pedantic to mention some minor editorial glitches because this is an inspiring story of faith and love that lifts the heart and leaves one smiling.
March 15, 2022
DNF at 21%
When I got this book, I was really excited to read about the couple that inspired the movie but this was a disappointment for me.
I just didn’t like the way the story was being told and didn’t connected with the characters (maybe it was because all the religious talk).
Unfortunately this time, the movie is better than the book.
When I got this book, I was really excited to read about the couple that inspired the movie but this was a disappointment for me.
I just didn’t like the way the story was being told and didn’t connected with the characters (maybe it was because all the religious talk).
Unfortunately this time, the movie is better than the book.
April 15, 2012
Glad I read this book . . . different from what my usual read . . . and Kim Carpenter's right in his message - their story gives people hope. . . I admire his patience and his love for Krickitt . . .
Overall: 4.0 stars!!!
Overall: 4.0 stars!!!
December 17, 2022
Enjoyed parts of the book but overall I enjoyed the movie more.
January 29, 2019
This story was short and sweet although not what I was expecting when I picked it up. The central theme is the couple's faith and how God pulled them through their devastating car accident and their commitment to maintain their marriage vows despite Krickitt not remembering any of their courtship, wedding, honeymoon, or initial months as a married couple. I remember seeing the movie in theaters in 2012 but don't recall God and their faith being central to the story line, I could be mistaken but thought it was interesting that in the book they talk about how happy they are that different publications don't ignore the importance of faith in their lives and then say shortly after they thought the movie was an excellent portrayal of their lives.
May 5, 2024
I have never seen the movie so I cannot compare, but this was an easy enjoyable read, though in no way a novel, as is a true account of events. I can imagine if you’re not open to talks of God or religion it wouldn’t be as easy a read. I thought it was well written and easy to follow, though I would have liked a bit more detail at times maybe from the wife’s perspective.
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