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Only Love
Dr Matthew Hiller is a world class neurosurgeon intent on saving the life of Silvia, the wife of super-rich Nico Rinaldi. But she is also his former lover. Will he operate successfully only to lose her again, as he did back in Eritrea in 1979?
335 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Erich Segal
74 books1,319 followersErich Wolf Segal was an American author, screenwriter, and educator. He was best-known for writing the novel Love Story, a bestseller, and writing the motion picture of the same name, which was a major hit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
October 24, 2011
I love to read Erich Segal books. I just love the way he puts words together. This book is the story of two doctors that go to Africa in the 70s and fall in love. Then they break up unexpectedly. Now, twenty years later the female has a brain tumor and the man (now Dr.) must operate. They do not particularly have a good reunion from the man's point of view. But it does set him free. I really enjoyed this book.
May 15, 2016
Curiosidad. Así definiría este libro.
Por curiosidad, lo cogí de la estantería de la biblioteca y, al leer que era del escritor de LOVE STORY, por curiosidad, decidí darle una oportunidad. ¿Me ha gustado? Sí, la historia es buena, pero no ha logrado engancharse. Es decir, creo que el fin del escritor era que el lector soltara alguna que otra lágrima, y en mi caso no ha sido así. Sin embargo, sigo opinando que la historia es buena!
Por curiosidad, lo cogí de la estantería de la biblioteca y, al leer que era del escritor de LOVE STORY, por curiosidad, decidí darle una oportunidad. ¿Me ha gustado? Sí, la historia es buena, pero no ha logrado engancharse. Es decir, creo que el fin del escritor era que el lector soltara alguna que otra lágrima, y en mi caso no ha sido así. Sin embargo, sigo opinando que la historia es buena!
August 19, 2019
I generally don't like love stories. The book had been resting in the shelf for more than two years. After an unsuccessful effort to finish, "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad and, "London" by Edward Rutherfurd, I thought to give it a try. I don't know how I went through half of the book in one sitting. It engaged me.
.
The Love depicted in it is deep and dramatic. The writing style is flawless, I think it is the main attraction of the book that kept me alive till the end.
.
I will surely read Erich Segal's other works, particularly Love Story that is worldwide famous.
.
The Love depicted in it is deep and dramatic. The writing style is flawless, I think it is the main attraction of the book that kept me alive till the end.
.
I will surely read Erich Segal's other works, particularly Love Story that is worldwide famous.
September 4, 2023
4.5★
আমার কাছে বইটা অনেক বেশি ভালো লেগেছে। মনে দাগ কেটে যাওয়ার মত বই। ভালোবাসায় পরিপূর্ণ একটা বই। বইয়ের কাহিনীটা অনেক সুন্দর। তথাকথিত রোম্যান্টিক বই বলা যাবেনা, বইয়ের কাহিনীটা অনেক সুন্দর যে বইকে জনরা হিসেবে রোম্যান্টিক জনরায় ফেলা যায়। বইয়ে বেশ কিছু সুন্দর উক্তি আছে।
অনুবাদক বদরুল মিল্লাত দারুণ কাজ করেছেন। অনুবাদ অনেক সাবলীল, বইয়ের ভূমিকাতেই লিখেছেন বইটা অনুবাদ করতে কত কষ্ট হয়েছে। সোসাল মিডিয়াতে লেখক বেশ পরিচিত একজন মূখ যদিও উনার লেখা প্রথমবারের মত পড়ার সুযোগ হল এতদিনে। আমার কাছে সবকিছু মিলিয়ে বইটা দুর্দান্ত লেগেছে সেইসাথে অনুবাদও।
এক নজরে,
'অনলী লাভ'
লেখকঃ এরিক সেগাল
অনুবাদকঃ বদরুল মিল্লাত
'ডক্টর ম্যাথিউ হিলার তার জীবনের সবচেয়ে কঠিন পরিস্থিতির মুখোমুখি হতে যাচ্ছে। জেনেটিক ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং এর একজন পথিকৃত প্রতিভাধর এই নিউরোসার্জনের পরবর্তি কেসটি শুধুমাত্র ক্যান্সারে আক্রান্ত একজন রোগীকে নয়, এটি সিলভিয়া – তার একমাত্র ভালবাসাকে বাঁচানোর শেষ চেষ্টা !
ইতালীর অন্যতম ধণ্যাঢ্য ব্যক্তি নিকো রিনালদির স্ত্রী সিলভিয়া তার স্বামীর সাথে যখন তার চেম্বারে প্রবেশ করল, ম্যাথিউ দেখল, সে দেখতে সেই আগের মতোই সুন্দরী আর আকর্ষণীয়া।
প্রায় বিশ বছর আগে মানবতার সেবায় আফ্রিকার প্রত্যন্ত এক অঞ্চলে বিশেষ এক চিকিৎসা মিশনে একত্রে কাজ করার সময় তারা গভীর প্রেমে পড়ে যায় কিন্তু ঘটনাক্রমে তাদের বিয়ের ঠিক আগ মুহুর্তে তারা বিচ্ছিন্ন হয়ে যায়। যদিও তার রহস্যময় অন্তর্ধানের বিষয়টি ম্যাথিউর কাছে আজও অজানাই রয়ে গেছে, তাকে না পাওয়ার বেদনটা এখনো তাকে তাড়িয়ে বেড়ায়।
একজন ডাক্তার হিসাবে তাকে সারিয়ে তোলার জন্য ম্যাথিউকে সর্বোচ্চ প্রচেষ্টা করতেই হবে আবার অন্যদিকে একজন প্রত্যাখ্যাত প্রেমিক এবং একজন বিবাহিত পুরুষ হিসাবে তাকে তার অতীতকেও ভুলে যেতে হবে।
যদি তাকে সারিয়ে তুলতে পারে, তাহলে কী হবে, ম্যাথিউ সেটা ভাবতেও সাহস করেনা !'
আমার কাছে বইটা অনেক বেশি ভালো লেগেছে। মনে দাগ কেটে যাওয়ার মত বই। ভালোবাসায় পরিপূর্ণ একটা বই। বইয়ের কাহিনীটা অনেক সুন্দর। তথাকথিত রোম্যান্টিক বই বলা যাবেনা, বইয়ের কাহিনীটা অনেক সুন্দর যে বইকে জনরা হিসেবে রোম্যান্টিক জনরায় ফেলা যায়। বইয়ে বেশ কিছু সুন্দর উক্তি আছে।
অনুবাদক বদরুল মিল্লাত দারুণ কাজ করেছেন। অনুবাদ অনেক সাবলীল, বইয়ের ভূমিকাতেই লিখেছেন বইটা অনুবাদ করতে কত কষ্ট হয়েছে। সোসাল মিডিয়াতে লেখক বেশ পরিচিত একজন মূখ যদিও উনার লেখা প্রথমবারের মত পড়ার সুযোগ হল এতদিনে। আমার কাছে সবকিছু মিলিয়ে বইটা দুর্দান্ত লেগেছে সেইসাথে অনুবাদও।
এক নজরে,
'অনলী লাভ'
লেখকঃ এরিক সেগাল
অনুবাদকঃ বদরুল মিল্লাত
'ডক্টর ম্যাথিউ হিলার তার জীবনের সবচেয়ে কঠিন পরিস্থিতির মুখোমুখি হতে যাচ্ছে। জেনেটিক ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং এর একজন পথিকৃত প্রতিভাধর এই নিউরোসার্জনের পরবর্তি কেসটি শুধুমাত্র ক্যান্সারে আক্রান্ত একজন রোগীকে নয়, এটি সিলভিয়া – তার একমাত্র ভালবাসাকে বাঁচানোর শেষ চেষ্টা !
ইতালীর অন্যতম ধণ্যাঢ্য ব্যক্তি নিকো রিনালদির স্ত্রী সিলভিয়া তার স্বামীর সাথে যখন তার চেম্বারে প্রবেশ করল, ম্যাথিউ দেখল, সে দেখতে সেই আগের মতোই সুন্দরী আর আকর্ষণীয়া।
প্রায় বিশ বছর আগে মানবতার সেবায় আফ্রিকার প্রত্যন্ত এক অঞ্চলে বিশেষ এক চিকিৎসা মিশনে একত্রে কাজ করার সময় তারা গভীর প্রেমে পড়ে যায় কিন্তু ঘটনাক্রমে তাদের বিয়ের ঠিক আগ মুহুর্তে তারা বিচ্ছিন্ন হয়ে যায়। যদিও তার রহস্যময় অন্তর্ধানের বিষয়টি ম্যাথিউর কাছে আজও অজানাই রয়ে গেছে, তাকে না পাওয়ার বেদনটা এখনো তাকে তাড়িয়ে বেড়ায়।
একজন ডাক্তার হিসাবে তাকে সারিয়ে তোলার জন্য ম্যাথিউকে সর্বোচ্চ প্রচেষ্টা করতেই হবে আবার অন্যদিকে একজন প্রত্যাখ্যাত প্রেমিক এবং একজন বিবাহিত পুরুষ হিসাবে তাকে তার অতীতকেও ভুলে যেতে হবে।
যদি তাকে সারিয়ে তুলতে পারে, তাহলে কী হবে, ম্যাথিউ সেটা ভাবতেও সাহস করেনা !'
July 22, 2016
Disappointing read overall. The idea that one can only inspire "true love" by being exceptionally beautiful, as well as exceptionally talented and accomplished is tiresome indeed. While the protagonist did end up admitting in a rather so-so way that his wife was his real love, she too, had to be extraordinarily beautiful as well as talented. If you're just one of us regular folk who, in spite of not being exceptionally gorgeous or only moderately talented (or maybe even untalented but still able to work, love and enjoy life thoroughly), then perhaps this book will not inspire you. It did not inspire me.
February 10, 2025
“Every time I went there I imagined I saw Silvia. Sometimes I thought I heard her voice or glimpsed her walking just ahead of me.
I hurried to catch up only to realize that my mind was playing tricks again.”
Made me relive early 2010s when I binge-read Nicholas Sparks - although Erich Segal made one feel things a generation before(?!)
There’s love and then there’s loving love and traversing through life with and without it. Good read.
I hurried to catch up only to realize that my mind was playing tricks again.”
Made me relive early 2010s when I binge-read Nicholas Sparks - although Erich Segal made one feel things a generation before(?!)
There’s love and then there’s loving love and traversing through life with and without it. Good read.
March 29, 2015
It's tempting to say it's a romance, but it's really not.
It's a drama which entires its story upon a romantic relationship.
It's unusual for the biggest strength of a good book to be amazing writing. I can't think of many books that stand out in the memory as so well written, so imaginatively poised. Segal is an author I need to find again, for his way of melding words inspires. Easy to follow but beautiful at the same time, his poise is almost poetic, but it's not cloying.
Plot-wise it's interesting and I don't think I've read one like this one before - not overly romantic, not terribly suspenseful or gripping, and the story wraps up with a sad note (but not a haunting one.) Basically a doctor meets a patient of his who is dying, and recognizes the woman as a life of his life, and then begins remembering their relationship twenty years ago. A mixed bag here. Sometimes I did get a bit bored with some of the backstory details. Even if it's not overly nail-biting, there's something about it that keeps you reading.
The protagonist is a sympathetic character, a man with morals and drive but with human flaw. It was cool to read this kind of story from a male perspective.The heroine is likeable but of course from the protagonists POV twenty years later she is at fault. The ending allows him to feel closure for a life of his life.
It's not a novel that will grip your heart, but the magic of the writer at least makes your heart feel it.
It's a drama which entires its story upon a romantic relationship.
It's unusual for the biggest strength of a good book to be amazing writing. I can't think of many books that stand out in the memory as so well written, so imaginatively poised. Segal is an author I need to find again, for his way of melding words inspires. Easy to follow but beautiful at the same time, his poise is almost poetic, but it's not cloying.
Plot-wise it's interesting and I don't think I've read one like this one before - not overly romantic, not terribly suspenseful or gripping, and the story wraps up with a sad note (but not a haunting one.) Basically a doctor meets a patient of his who is dying, and recognizes the woman as a life of his life, and then begins remembering their relationship twenty years ago. A mixed bag here. Sometimes I did get a bit bored with some of the backstory details. Even if it's not overly nail-biting, there's something about it that keeps you reading.
The protagonist is a sympathetic character, a man with morals and drive but with human flaw. It was cool to read this kind of story from a male perspective.The heroine is likeable but of course from the protagonists POV twenty years later she is at fault. The ending allows him to feel closure for a life of his life.
It's not a novel that will grip your heart, but the magic of the writer at least makes your heart feel it.
April 6, 2019
One thing that you can surely learn from Erich Segal books is the way he uses fancy words and frames a sentence flawlessly. That's the first thing I have taken from this book. The story is pretty straightforward and it needs to be judged thinking it's a 1997 story. Loved it from writing's perspective. The characterization is up to T. I have been his fan from the time I read Love Story. Well, this book will now urge me to read more of his works. A nice read!
July 23, 2019
Disclaimer: I haven't read the much-celebrated Love Story, hence this review is solely about Only Love without any comparisons.
I started reading the book expecting a cheesy or sensuous romantic novel, a guilty pleasure, but it was none of that. The story, about individuals who find love, lose it and then learn to never let it go again, is as realistic as one can be in this genre.
While the impending loss of love looms over most of the book, it is never a tragedy, because the characters know better how to get up and invest their emotions in something meaningful.
Erich Segal is a gifted writer. In around 250 pages he spans the lives of multiple characters across decades, telling us what is essential and nothing extra. There is enough backstory to identify with a character but not enough to predict their every move. To write a short novel this way is an art, though I have some complaints on the hurried ending, which I shall come to later.
The romance is sprinkled beautifully in the writing.
'I stopped breathing. She was a poem without words.' is how the lead characters first encounter is described.
That they are doctors might not need to have been explicitly stated. There is science everywhere. This makes sense as that's how a student of science could see the world:
'I seemed to have short circuited the electric current of antagonism.'
'From this viewpoint the city resembled s terrestrial galaxy stretching to infinity in all directions'.
There are also enough touches of humour that occasionally bring back the story from the brink of darkness.
All said, this isn't a perfect book. While I appreciate the choice of the ending, the motivation of characters remains unclear. Which version of the truth was I supposed to believe, the dying women or her husband? If this uncertainty is due to a fault in my understanding, I would welcome comments to discuss the same. If it was a plot device used by the writer, I am not entirely convinced.
However, for me, the book deserves 4 stars instead of a 3 or a 5 because of the conviction of the writer with respect to his ambition. It does not aim to be a classic, it does not go too deep, but it paints the surface well, and for that, it deserves some applause.
I started reading the book expecting a cheesy or sensuous romantic novel, a guilty pleasure, but it was none of that. The story, about individuals who find love, lose it and then learn to never let it go again, is as realistic as one can be in this genre.
While the impending loss of love looms over most of the book, it is never a tragedy, because the characters know better how to get up and invest their emotions in something meaningful.
Erich Segal is a gifted writer. In around 250 pages he spans the lives of multiple characters across decades, telling us what is essential and nothing extra. There is enough backstory to identify with a character but not enough to predict their every move. To write a short novel this way is an art, though I have some complaints on the hurried ending, which I shall come to later.
The romance is sprinkled beautifully in the writing.
'I stopped breathing. She was a poem without words.' is how the lead characters first encounter is described.
That they are doctors might not need to have been explicitly stated. There is science everywhere. This makes sense as that's how a student of science could see the world:
'I seemed to have short circuited the electric current of antagonism.'
'From this viewpoint the city resembled s terrestrial galaxy stretching to infinity in all directions'.
There are also enough touches of humour that occasionally bring back the story from the brink of darkness.
All said, this isn't a perfect book. While I appreciate the choice of the ending, the motivation of characters remains unclear. Which version of the truth was I supposed to believe, the dying women or her husband? If this uncertainty is due to a fault in my understanding, I would welcome comments to discuss the same. If it was a plot device used by the writer, I am not entirely convinced.
However, for me, the book deserves 4 stars instead of a 3 or a 5 because of the conviction of the writer with respect to his ambition. It does not aim to be a classic, it does not go too deep, but it paints the surface well, and for that, it deserves some applause.
January 29, 2022
Not the usual Segal magnum opus a la Doctors, Acts of Faith and The Class. Still it was so very comforting to read the characteristic tapestry that Segal weaves with his words.
Quite a simple plot, enriched with his amazing writing.
Quite a simple plot, enriched with his amazing writing.
September 26, 2018
VETËM DASHURI – ERICH SEGAL
Vetëm dashuri! Kjo është ajo që kam kuptuar që duhet më së shumti në jetë! Shëndeti dhe dashuria, nëse ecin mirë bashkë, duhet të ndihesh e përkëdhelur dhe me fat!
Në k'të libër nuk është se gjen ndonjë nga ato dashuri që dridhesh, por kupton që jetës nuk i bën dot bisht kur ajo të troket 😊. ♡
Një histori e bukur, ku mjekësia dhe muzika ishin ndërthurur aq këndshëm për ta shplodhur tamam mendjen.
Ishte një libër i lehtë, jo i ngarkuar me historira të kota, jo me personazhe që si merr vesh pse janë aty 😁, ndaj rroft @biblophage_human që ma sygjeroi sepse me të vërtetë më dha shumë ndjesi të bukura, sa nuk doja të lija shumë pa lexuar mbi të nesërmen.
Mund të vij një ditë të takosh dashurinë e parë, atë të rinisë. Për mua është më mirë që mos t'i kthehesh më asaj, sidomos pasi ke ndërtuar një jetë familjare, bazuar te respekti e dashuria. Kshu dhe kjo histori me Dr. Methju, i cili pavarësisht tundimit nuk e tradhëtoj bashkëshorten.
Kur ka libra me temë mbi dashurinë, apo me personazhe fëmijë, mi jepni mua se ja gjej vendin në të qindën e sekondës dhe asnjëherë nuk lodhem e ankohem 🤩
Ky libër dhe një tjetër pas tij "5 gjuhët e dashurisë" ishin aq shumë në sinkromë me muajin tonë të përvjetorëve ❤, ndaj k'të muaj do ta mbyllim vetëm me libra të tillë 😉. ♡
Meqë sot kam një nga përvjetorët e dashurisë (celebrimi) po shkruaj diçka që sa herë ma thotë xhema, më del zemra nga vendi 🤗❤. "Në qoftë se pyet disa se ç'farë duan nga jeta, gjithmonë do gjejnë një gjë të të thonë se u mungon, por kur më pyet ti ç'farë tjetër dua nga jeta, mendohem, por më kot, asgjë tjetër të them sepse unë çdo gjë që kam dashur në jetë e kam gjetur te ty xhem' o shpirt.
Mund të duken si vargje poetike, por janë fjalë zemre të thënë nga goja e super, mega, big, great dashurisë!
Në këtë rast thjesht falenderon Zotin akoma më shumë seç bën çdo ditë që të ka bekuar me k'të njeri që depozitën e dashurisë e ka gjithmonë plot! ❤❤❤
Mirënjohëse deri në palcë që nuk rresht së dashuri!
Në çdo jetë, veç ty do të zgjidhja @studioligjore_saimirlame! 🙇♀️❤❤ #Xhemas_Love ➡️ #Deri_në_përjetësi 🙏❤ #muajijonë #ourmonth 2011/2014
#sharehugs #sharelove #love365
Vetëm dashuri! Kjo është ajo që kam kuptuar që duhet më së shumti në jetë! Shëndeti dhe dashuria, nëse ecin mirë bashkë, duhet të ndihesh e përkëdhelur dhe me fat!
Në k'të libër nuk është se gjen ndonjë nga ato dashuri që dridhesh, por kupton që jetës nuk i bën dot bisht kur ajo të troket 😊. ♡
Një histori e bukur, ku mjekësia dhe muzika ishin ndërthurur aq këndshëm për ta shplodhur tamam mendjen.
Ishte një libër i lehtë, jo i ngarkuar me historira të kota, jo me personazhe që si merr vesh pse janë aty 😁, ndaj rroft @biblophage_human që ma sygjeroi sepse me të vërtetë më dha shumë ndjesi të bukura, sa nuk doja të lija shumë pa lexuar mbi të nesërmen.
Mund të vij një ditë të takosh dashurinë e parë, atë të rinisë. Për mua është më mirë që mos t'i kthehesh më asaj, sidomos pasi ke ndërtuar një jetë familjare, bazuar te respekti e dashuria. Kshu dhe kjo histori me Dr. Methju, i cili pavarësisht tundimit nuk e tradhëtoj bashkëshorten.
Kur ka libra me temë mbi dashurinë, apo me personazhe fëmijë, mi jepni mua se ja gjej vendin në të qindën e sekondës dhe asnjëherë nuk lodhem e ankohem 🤩
Ky libër dhe një tjetër pas tij "5 gjuhët e dashurisë" ishin aq shumë në sinkromë me muajin tonë të përvjetorëve ❤, ndaj k'të muaj do ta mbyllim vetëm me libra të tillë 😉. ♡
Meqë sot kam një nga përvjetorët e dashurisë (celebrimi) po shkruaj diçka që sa herë ma thotë xhema, më del zemra nga vendi 🤗❤. "Në qoftë se pyet disa se ç'farë duan nga jeta, gjithmonë do gjejnë një gjë të të thonë se u mungon, por kur më pyet ti ç'farë tjetër dua nga jeta, mendohem, por më kot, asgjë tjetër të them sepse unë çdo gjë që kam dashur në jetë e kam gjetur te ty xhem' o shpirt.
Mund të duken si vargje poetike, por janë fjalë zemre të thënë nga goja e super, mega, big, great dashurisë!
Në këtë rast thjesht falenderon Zotin akoma më shumë seç bën çdo ditë që të ka bekuar me k'të njeri që depozitën e dashurisë e ka gjithmonë plot! ❤❤❤
Mirënjohëse deri në palcë që nuk rresht së dashuri!
Në çdo jetë, veç ty do të zgjidhja @studioligjore_saimirlame! 🙇♀️❤❤ #Xhemas_Love ➡️ #Deri_në_përjetësi 🙏❤ #muajijonë #ourmonth 2011/2014
#sharehugs #sharelove #love365
January 6, 2016
A short love story of Silvia and Matthew, hailing from completely different social background and brought together by their affection for music. Two lovers vowed to spend their life together only to fall apart in pieces.
This is the second book I have read that is written by Erich Segal. Love Story was brilliant in its portrayal of evident and non-evident emotions. Only Love, throughout its length was also impeccable, the everlasting bond between Matthew and Evie and the magnetism between Matthew and Silvia. A heartbreaking story of a love lost and a love found. But when it comes to end, how he (Matthew) can say that I have always loved you, Evie. We, as human, always keep parts of them whom we loved once. One can be free and moved on. And in order to do so, we forgive them and ourselves, keep the good memories with ourselves and not put blame on the other one. Whatever the reason Silvia had for her disappearance from his life whether it was sense of responsibility or fear for survival, it cannot change the fact what she and Matthew had once was beautiful and it was Love.
This is the second book I have read that is written by Erich Segal. Love Story was brilliant in its portrayal of evident and non-evident emotions. Only Love, throughout its length was also impeccable, the everlasting bond between Matthew and Evie and the magnetism between Matthew and Silvia. A heartbreaking story of a love lost and a love found. But when it comes to end, how he (Matthew) can say that I have always loved you, Evie. We, as human, always keep parts of them whom we loved once. One can be free and moved on. And in order to do so, we forgive them and ourselves, keep the good memories with ourselves and not put blame on the other one. Whatever the reason Silvia had for her disappearance from his life whether it was sense of responsibility or fear for survival, it cannot change the fact what she and Matthew had once was beautiful and it was Love.
June 3, 2008
This novel is my first encounter with Erich Segal's work. "Love Story" and "Oliver's Story" are maybe the more popular books, but for me this one surely amongst the best of Segal's
It was from a long time ago, around my last years in college. This book really impressed me, and successfully dragged me on through several other works of erich segal such as The Class, Prizes, The Doctors, Man Woman and Child, Love Story, and Oliver's Story.
It was from a long time ago, around my last years in college. This book really impressed me, and successfully dragged me on through several other works of erich segal such as The Class, Prizes, The Doctors, Man Woman and Child, Love Story, and Oliver's Story.
April 28, 2008
Not my favorite of his. It kept me reading and I always like his rich and sophisticated vocabulary. I couldn't connect with the intense love of music the male character had and in the end it just fell flat.
June 8, 2019
When I want to read a soulful and grounded love story, I inevitably turn to Erich Segal. Like may times before, I walk away from this book picking up yet an another nuance of what love really means.
September 18, 2010
my favorite book I ever read
February 6, 2015
Good but a little hard to start.
September 16, 2016
Readable. Nothing memorable about it, except the protagonist's self deprecating sense of humour.
September 30, 2018
Very light and beautiful story. After reading you still hang about with that light pang that you have after knowing the things that happened to someone you know.
July 19, 2025
মানবতার সেবায় আফ্রিকায় কাজ করার জন্য প্যারিসের একটি প্রতিষ্ঠানে প্রশিক্ষণের জন্য আসেন ডা. মাথিউ হিলার। সেখানে পরিচয় হয় ইতালির অন্যতম ধনাঢ্য পরিবারের অপরুপ সুন্দরী মেয়ে ডা. সিলভিয়া দালেসান্দ্রোর সাথে। অল্পদিনেই দুইজনের খুব ভালো বন্ধুত্ব হয়ে যায়, এবং উভয়েই আফ্রিকার ইরিত্রিয়ায় কাজ করার মিশনের জন্য নির্বাচিত হন।
ইরিত্রিয়ায় কাজ করার সময় ম্যাথিউ-সিলভিয়া দুইজনেই দু'জনার প্রেমে পড়ে যায়। বিয়ে করার সিদ্ধান্ত নেয় দু'জন। একদিন বাইরে রোগী দেখতে দু'জনে জীপে করে রওয়ানা হয়। কিন্তু গৃহযুদ্ধের সেই দেশে পথিমধ্যে তারা যুদ্ধাদের দ্বারা আক্রান্ত হন। একটি বুলেট এসে ম্যাথিউর মাথায় আঘাত করে। তারপর থেকেই বদলে যেতে থাকে ঘটনা। আচমকা তাদের সম্পর্কচ্ছেদ হয়। নিকো নামের আরেক ধনাঢ্য ইতালিয়ানের সাথে বিয়ে হয় যায় সিলভিয়ার!
কিন্তু কেন?
জেনেটিক ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং এর পথিকৃত, প্রতিভাধর নিউরোসার্জন ডা. ম্যাথিউর পরবর্তী কেসটি শুধুমাত্র একজন ক্যান্সার আক্রান্ত রোগীরই নয়, সিলভিয়া— তাঁর একমাত্র ভালোবাসাকে বাঁচানোর শেষ চেষ্টা! প্রায় বিশ বছর পর হারানো ভালোবাসার মানুষটির সাথে দেখা হয় ম্যাথিউর। ম্যাথিউ পারবে কি সিলভিয়াকে সারিয়ে তুলতে?
বিশ বছর আগে ছেড়ে যাওয়া বান্ধবী ইভীর জীবনেও ঘটে গেছে এক বড় দুর্ঘটনা। ইভী হলো সেই মেয়ে, যার সাথে ম্যাথিউর জীবনের সোনালী সময়টা কেটে ছিল। তখন চাইলেই ইভীকে বিয়ে করতে পারতো ম্যাথিউ। সময় আজ আবার দু'জনকে এক করে দিয়েছে। কিন্তু কোথায় গিয়ে দাঁড়াবে সেটা?
একদিকে মৃত্যুপথযাত্রী সিলভিয়া, অন্যদিকে ইভীর সাথে নতুন সম্পর্ক। সামাল দিতে পারবে তো ম্যাথিউ?
বেশ কয়েকদিন যাবত থ্রিলার পড়ার ফাঁকে একটু “রুচি বদলানো”র মতো করে এই বইটি টেনে নিয়ে ছিলাম আমি। এবং বইটি আমাকে তৃপ্ত করেছে, মুগ্ধ হয়েছি। রোমান্টিক উপন্যাস কিংবা একটি ভালোবাসার উপাখ্যান যেমন হওয়া উচিত, সত্যিকার অর্থে এই বইটি তা-ই।
বইটি পড়ার পর বুকের ভেতরটা খচখচ করে ওঠেছে। ভারী হয়েছে দীর্ঘশ্বাঃস!
তারপর... সেটাকে পূর্ণতা দিতে পিসিতে মুরাদের “আমি আগের ঠিকানায় আছি” গানটা ছেড়ে দিলাম। একটা ঘোর লাগা আবেশ তৈরি হয়ে গেল। আমার কলিজা ব্যথায় পরিপূর্ণ হয়ে ভরে ওঠলো। এবং বুঝতে পারলাম— ভালোবাসা কতোটা সংক্রামক!
বদরুল মিল্লাত স্যার কতোটা রসালো অনুবাদ করেছেন তা বইটি না পড়লে আপনারা বুঝতে পারবেন না! বইটি পড়ার আমন্ত্রণ রইলো। হোক সেটা ইংলিশ ভার্শন।
ইরিত্রিয়ায় কাজ করার সময় ম্যাথিউ-সিলভিয়া দুইজনেই দু'জনার প্রেমে পড়ে যায়। বিয়ে করার সিদ্ধান্ত নেয় দু'জন। একদিন বাইরে রোগী দেখতে দু'জনে জীপে করে রওয়ানা হয়। কিন্তু গৃহযুদ্ধের সেই দেশে পথিমধ্যে তারা যুদ্ধাদের দ্বারা আক্রান্ত হন। একটি বুলেট এসে ম্যাথিউর মাথায় আঘাত করে। তারপর থেকেই বদলে যেতে থাকে ঘটনা। আচমকা তাদের সম্পর্কচ্ছেদ হয়। নিকো নামের আরেক ধনাঢ্য ইতালিয়ানের সাথে বিয়ে হয় যায় সিলভিয়ার!
কিন্তু কেন?
জেনেটিক ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং এর পথিকৃত, প্রতিভাধর নিউরোসার্জন ডা. ম্যাথিউর পরবর্তী কেসটি শুধুমাত্র একজন ক্যান্সার আক্রান্ত রোগীরই নয়, সিলভিয়া— তাঁর একমাত্র ভালোবাসাকে বাঁচানোর শেষ চেষ্টা! প্রায় বিশ বছর পর হারানো ভালোবাসার মানুষটির সাথে দেখা হয় ম্যাথিউর। ম্যাথিউ পারবে কি সিলভিয়াকে সারিয়ে তুলতে?
বিশ বছর আগে ছেড়ে যাওয়া বান্ধবী ইভীর জীবনেও ঘটে গেছে এক বড় দুর্ঘটনা। ইভী হলো সেই মেয়ে, যার সাথে ম্যাথিউর জীবনের সোনালী সময়টা কেটে ছিল। তখন চাইলেই ইভীকে বিয়ে করতে পারতো ম্যাথিউ। সময় আজ আবার দু'জনকে এক করে দিয়েছে। কিন্তু কোথায় গিয়ে দাঁড়াবে সেটা?
একদিকে মৃত্যুপথযাত্রী সিলভিয়া, অন্যদিকে ইভীর সাথে নতুন সম্পর্ক। সামাল দিতে পারবে তো ম্যাথিউ?
বেশ কয়েকদিন যাবত থ্রিলার পড়ার ফাঁকে একটু “রুচি বদলানো”র মতো করে এই বইটি টেনে নিয়ে ছিলাম আমি। এবং বইটি আমাকে তৃপ্ত করেছে, মুগ্ধ হয়েছি। রোমান্টিক উপন্যাস কিংবা একটি ভালোবাসার উপাখ্যান যেমন হওয়া উচিত, সত্যিকার অর্থে এই বইটি তা-ই।
বইটি পড়ার পর বুকের ভেতরটা খচখচ করে ওঠেছে। ভারী হয়েছে দীর্ঘশ্বাঃস!
তারপর... সেটাকে পূর্ণতা দিতে পিসিতে মুরাদের “আমি আগের ঠিকানায় আছি” গানটা ছেড়ে দিলাম। একটা ঘোর লাগা আবেশ তৈরি হয়ে গেল। আমার কলিজা ব্যথায় পরিপূর্ণ হয়ে ভরে ওঠলো। এবং বুঝতে পারলাম— ভালোবাসা কতোটা সংক্রামক!
বদরুল মিল্লাত স্যার কতোটা রসালো অনুবাদ করেছেন তা বইটি না পড়লে আপনারা বুঝতে পারবেন না! বইটি পড়ার আমন্ত্রণ রইলো। হোক সেটা ইংলিশ ভার্শন।
September 29, 2018
From Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 1 1998 ~ Matthew met rich beautiful Silvia (heiress to FAMA, a well~known Italian car manufacturing company) in Paris when they were both trying to qualify for Project 62 of Medicine Internationale with the intent of being of use to the poor sick and hopeless people (without access to clinics or hospitals) in Africa. He was also good friends with Evie, a talented cellist who he met while still on his freshman year at med school, for aside from studying medicine he is also a gifted pianist, and music is their common ground. Until their ambush on the way to treat patients and deliver medicines to a nearby UN refugee camp, he and Silvia had become an item and were thinking of getting married by a Catholic priest following Silvia's Catholic upbringing. But after the ambush, Mathew never saw Silvia again. To Mathew, Silvia was the embodiment of a young man's dream and the timeless romance of first love. In reality, she went back to what was familiar and what represents security and safety (to her). After what happened to Matthew plus the unforgotten tragic repercussions of her mother's kidnapping in the past ~ she went back into the safe haven of Nico's protective presence just like when they were children and married him. Matthew's journey back to reality and to Evie is another heart~warming part of this story. Beautifully written with the auhtor's own brand of poignant gut~wrenching literary touch.
April 7, 2021
Have you ever felt that kind of love when it becomes the only reason to live? This novel creates a great depth of emotions where a man who had once fallen in love transcends to a stage when he couldn't even breathe without it. There comes a time when he no longer have the desire to create a melody, which he oh so ever is greatly known of.
When you are not being able to enjoy or feel then the 'life' part within You gets sucked.
I loved how the author has given us the true nature of its beauty i.e. Only love.
At times its important for us to get some closer; as our mind can never stop wheeling about it and even then life gets cruel too when you need to survive without getting one. This novel teaches you that.
When I had completed this book, I got completely lost in their world and when I was trying to comprehend, I realized that its better to try & work hard rather than give up at the very last minute.
"The ending is a lesson you all can show it to you younger selves."
When you are not being able to enjoy or feel then the 'life' part within You gets sucked.
I loved how the author has given us the true nature of its beauty i.e. Only love.
At times its important for us to get some closer; as our mind can never stop wheeling about it and even then life gets cruel too when you need to survive without getting one. This novel teaches you that.
When I had completed this book, I got completely lost in their world and when I was trying to comprehend, I realized that its better to try & work hard rather than give up at the very last minute.
"The ending is a lesson you all can show it to you younger selves."
October 13, 2021
When I rate a book, I go with my gut reaction. While I gave this book 4 stars, I could have also given it 3 just as easily. I have never read a book with so many errors…ever. While I enjoy exaggeration, this is no such time. The simple mistakes were throughout. They were glaring, so much so that they were insulting to the reader. A mistake here, a mistake there…it happens…but wow! Now, let me explain. I read an uncorrected proof for limited distribution, and maybe this is letting me know that I should never read another one as such again! It drove me bonkers! 🤪
There was some rather silly language. “I was feeling a bit of ocular humidity myself” (25). 🤨
I have not read or seen Love Story, also by Erich Segal, but maybe I will. As Only Love is also a Hallmark miniseries, I look forward to attempting to find it so I can watch it. This is the perfect book to make a Hallmark movie out of, if you enjoy that sort of thing! 🥰
There was some rather silly language. “I was feeling a bit of ocular humidity myself” (25). 🤨
I have not read or seen Love Story, also by Erich Segal, but maybe I will. As Only Love is also a Hallmark miniseries, I look forward to attempting to find it so I can watch it. This is the perfect book to make a Hallmark movie out of, if you enjoy that sort of thing! 🥰
April 12, 2022
Bien qu’il soit décédé, je regarde de temps en temps pour voir si un manuscrit aurait été trouvé par miracle. C’est dans ma bibliothèque que j’ai trouvé ce livre dont je ne me souvenais plus et que je n’avais pas lu, qui l’eut cru.
Tous les ingrédients de mon plat préféré y sont, la médecine, la musique, les gens de talent, instruits, experts dans leurs domaines avec Boston en toile de fond. Une histoire d’amour a peine consommée est détruite par les circonstances, l’homme ne s’en est jamais remis totalement. Elle, riche héritière avec un trauma du passé s’en distancie par obligation. Leur réunion quelques années plus tard, alors qu’elle a une tumeur maligne au cerveau et qu’il a développé un traitement génique expérimental remet en question la vie amoureuse et musicale de l'homme.
Oui, je sais, Segal est dans l’élitisme de la beauté, de la virtuosité académique et musicale, mais on ne s’ennuie jamais avec ses histoires.
Tous les ingrédients de mon plat préféré y sont, la médecine, la musique, les gens de talent, instruits, experts dans leurs domaines avec Boston en toile de fond. Une histoire d’amour a peine consommée est détruite par les circonstances, l’homme ne s’en est jamais remis totalement. Elle, riche héritière avec un trauma du passé s’en distancie par obligation. Leur réunion quelques années plus tard, alors qu’elle a une tumeur maligne au cerveau et qu’il a développé un traitement génique expérimental remet en question la vie amoureuse et musicale de l'homme.
Oui, je sais, Segal est dans l’élitisme de la beauté, de la virtuosité académique et musicale, mais on ne s’ennuie jamais avec ses histoires.
January 2, 2025
I can’t believe that this is the book I first finished in 2025. But who’s complaining though?!
Anyways with this I’m confirming my love and my itch to read sad romances. Like I don’t understand why I keep doing this to myself but “what-ifs”, “fate breaking us apart”, “hope I run into you someday” tropes have become my favourite. I have a problem with romance novels in general but with books like this I’m more than happy to read about love. What a story this was. Not at a single point I felt that the story was digressing or starting to get boring. Every character, every bit was soo important and yet real. So was the ending. Medicine and music?! a combo I never thought would engross me but here we are.
For anyone wanting to read something simple yet impacting this is for you. Just pick it up man.
Anyways with this I’m confirming my love and my itch to read sad romances. Like I don’t understand why I keep doing this to myself but “what-ifs”, “fate breaking us apart”, “hope I run into you someday” tropes have become my favourite. I have a problem with romance novels in general but with books like this I’m more than happy to read about love. What a story this was. Not at a single point I felt that the story was digressing or starting to get boring. Every character, every bit was soo important and yet real. So was the ending. Medicine and music?! a combo I never thought would engross me but here we are.
For anyone wanting to read something simple yet impacting this is for you. Just pick it up man.
February 12, 2018
I thought this was a great story. This story made the important distinction between perceived love and true love. This book was not a typical romance and was not predictable. It was a solid story about a man who loved and lost and then loved and won. It was a worthy read and was an excellent true to life story of love.
June 13, 2020
Erich Segal knows how to write a happy ending even in tragedy. Even though the characters in his books (Now that I see a pattern) are all highly accomplished, extremely talented, ethereally attractive (even if they don't admit it the first person, you can feel it), generally flawless and extremely unrelatable, he does manage to bring out the humanity in them.
October 2, 2021
I read this book written by Erich Segal, author of "Love Story," about six years ago. I came across an old notebook today.in which I'd written down titles of 35 books I'd read. I was impressed with the book then and thought I'd pass on a quotation which the author used.
"The better part of life is spent saying, 'It's too early.' and then, 'It's too late.' " Flaubert July, 1859
"The better part of life is spent saying, 'It's too early.' and then, 'It's too late.' " Flaubert July, 1859
March 18, 2023
Very much enjoyed this sad tale of love. I thoroughly enjoyed the use of language Mr. Segal allow to flow from page to page. Such a story seemed to me almost a real person's memoirs. It was honest, and raw, and certainly gave life to the varied characters in the story. A very well written piece and one I believe many people ought to read.
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