Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas
Encyclopedia
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas is a 2001 novel by James Patterson
that argues the importance of balance within one's life. Two interwoven stories are told throughout the novel. The framing story is based on Katie Wilkinson, a New York City
book editor, whose relationship with poet Matthew Harrison ends suddenly. During this period, Katie learns about Matt's past through the diary written by Suzanne.
. Continuing the trend with his novels, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas has sold millions of copies proving to be very popular.
Patterson used some of his experience with heartbreak to write Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. In 1974, Patterson fell in love with Jane Blanchard. After dating for several years, she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor
. When she died, Patterson devoted his time to writing and stayed away from romantic relationships. Over a decade later, he married Susan, who wrote a diary for their baby son.
entitled James Patterson's Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas that aired on CBS
on March 27, 2005. Written and directed by Richard Friedenberg, it starred Christina Applegate
as Suzanne, Johnathon Schaech
as Matt Harrison, and Kathleen Rose Perkins as Katie.
James Patterson
James B. Patterson is an American author of thriller novels, largely known for his series about American psychologist Alex Cross...
that argues the importance of balance within one's life. Two interwoven stories are told throughout the novel. The framing story is based on Katie Wilkinson, a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
book editor, whose relationship with poet Matthew Harrison ends suddenly. During this period, Katie learns about Matt's past through the diary written by Suzanne.
Background
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas marks Patterson's first attempt into the romance genre. Patterson, a best-selling author, is known for his mystery thriller series featuring detective Alex CrossAlex Cross
Alex Cross is a fictional character, the protagonist in a series of books by novelist James Patterson.-Character overview:Cross is a Black detective and psychologist living and working in the Southeast quadrant of Washington, D.C...
. Continuing the trend with his novels, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas has sold millions of copies proving to be very popular.
Patterson used some of his experience with heartbreak to write Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. In 1974, Patterson fell in love with Jane Blanchard. After dating for several years, she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
. When she died, Patterson devoted his time to writing and stayed away from romantic relationships. Over a decade later, he married Susan, who wrote a diary for their baby son.
Characters
- Katie Wilkinson is one of the central characters. Katie is a native of North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
but lives in New York City, where she works as an editor at a publishing house. Through her work she meets Matt Harrison, a poet whose first book she is working on. The two become involved in an intimate relationship. - Matthew (Matt) Harrison is a central character. He is Suzanne's husband and Nicholas's father. He later becomes Katie's boyfriend. Matt is a housepainter and handyman in Martha’s Vineyard. He also writes poetryPoetryPoetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
. - Suzanne Bedford Harrison is a central character and the author of the diary. She is the wife of Matt Harrison and the mother of Nicholas Harrison.
- Nicholas Harrison is the son of Suzanne Bedford and Matthew Harrison.
- Matt Wolfe was Suzanne's boyfriend when they were teenagers. He works as a fine art dealer and a lawyer for the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Michael Bernstein is Suzanne's boyfriend early in her story when she lives in Boston. Like Suzanne, Michael works at a hospital in Boston.
- Melanie Bone is Suzanne's next-door neighbor on Martha's Vineyard. A mother of four daughters, Melanie is Suzanne's friend and confidant during her time on the island.
- Lynn Brown is a friend of Katie. Lynn lives with her husband Phil and their four children on a farmFarmA farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
in Westport, ConnecticutWestport, Connecticut-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
. Katie babysits for them sometimes. - Susan Kingsolver is one of Katie's best friends.
- Laurie Raleigh is one of Katie's best friends.
- Mary Jordan is Katie's assistant at the publishing house.
- Dan Anderson is a pediatrician in Boston and Suzanne's old friend.
- Phil Berman is Suzanne's doctor in Boston.
- Constance Cotter (Dr. Cotter) is Suzanne's medical doctor on Martha's Vineyard.
- Gail Davis is Suzanne's cardiologist in BostonBostonBoston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. - Albert K. Sassoon (Dr. Sassoon) is Katie's gynecologist in New York.
- Holly Wilkinson is Katie's mother. She lives with Katie's father in Asheboro, North CarolinaAsheboro, North CarolinaAsheboro is a city in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 21,672 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Randolph County, and is the home of the state-owned North Carolina Zoo.-Geography:...
and works as a first grade teacher. - Katie's Father is a minister in North Carolina.
- Jean Harrison is Matt's mother, a widowWidowA widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
.
Film adaptation
The novel was adapted for a television movieTelevision movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
entitled James Patterson's Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas that aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on March 27, 2005. Written and directed by Richard Friedenberg, it starred Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate is an American actress. She is best known for playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married... with Children. Since then, she has established a film and television career, winning a Primetime Emmy and earning Tony and Golden Globe nominations...
as Suzanne, Johnathon Schaech
Johnathon Schaech
Johnathon Schaech is an American actor, writer, and director.-Early life:Schaech was born in Edgewood, Maryland to Joseph, a Baltimore City law enforcement officer, and Joanne Schaech, a human resources executive. He is of German and Italian descent, and was raised Roman Catholic...
as Matt Harrison, and Kathleen Rose Perkins as Katie.