Richard Paul Evans is a master story-teller! I've read five of his novels in the last three months and have thoroughly enjoyed each one! This from a guy who typically reads (maybe) one novel a year!
Lost December is a modern-day retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son. But don't let that dissuade you from reading it! Other than the fact that Evans includes the biblical story on the pages preceding his story, you will not find yourself thinking about the Bible story.
However, of course, if you're familiar with Jesus' story, you also know the plotline of the novel. I delighted in the way Evans made the story relevant. The characters - as always - were believable and real. I read the book in one afternoon/evening. I giggled and wept as I read it.
His strength is in the development of relationships - especially romantic ones. Evans crafts his stories with unexpected twists and reconnections that delight and surprise the reader.
I won't wait long to read another of his novels. So far, he's written eighteen - all of which were on the New York Times bestseller list. Each of the books I have read were borrowed from the New Middletown library. :-) Which proves: you don't have to own something to enjoy it!
Have you seen the movies based on his books "The Christmas Box" and "The Timepiece"? So good I HAD to own them :-) They are perfect for this time of year. Richard Thomas (John Boy) plays the author, Maureen O'Hara, Annette O'Toole, James Earl Jones and Ellen Burstyn are also among the movie's stars.
ReplyDeleteAnother book you might enjoy by a different author (who is a Christian) is "The Blue Bottle Club" by Penelope J. Stokes. I bought the hardback for myself awhile ago and then bought a copy for the church's library - it went through people's hands like water with excellent reviews by all!
Book description: [Quoting] "In the wake of the depression of 1929, four friends gather in a cold, dusty attic on Christmas day to make a solemn pact. 'Our dreams for the future,' they whisper, as they place tiny pieces of paper holding their life wishes into the blue, cabin-shaped bottle. Letitia dreams of marriage and children; Mary hopes to be a painter; Eleanor aspires to help those in need as a social worker; Adora longs to be a Broadway actress. Four girls, four dreams, and four futures sealed in a cobalt blue bottle. Sixty-five years later, local news reporter Brendan Delaney stumbles upon the bottle, discovering the most meaningful story of her career and possibly the meaning missing from her own life."
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Bottle-Club-Penelope-Stokes/dp/0849937809
Thanks again for taking the time to share! You may be keeping the library and Netflix busy for awhile to come ;-) ~ Jen :-)
Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered it for $.01 on Amazon. It sounds like a good story.
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