The Christmas Box: 01/15/09

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans started life as a written as a personal project: a love letter to his family and a Christmas present. He then self published it in 1993 but it was picked up by Simon & Schuster in 1996. I mention its humble beginnings as another example of why I willingly read and review self published works. Sometimes they thrive well beyond their initial small publishing.

The Christmas Box is a novella; short enough to read in an hour or two. I read my copy at the park. In 83 pages it tells the story of a young family crammed into a one bedroom apartment so small that their 4 year old daughter is still sleeping in a crib. A caretaker job that seeks a young family with children offers them the chance to escape their current cramped situation. For providing meals for Mary, the elderly widow, on her schedule and doing basic upkeep to the home and yard they are given one wing of the house to live in as their own. In the attic of Mary's home they find a Christmas box filled with letters. The nature of the letters and how they are a part of Mary's past helps the Evans family learn some important life lessons.

Richard Paul Evans fills his fiction with emotionally charged moral lessons. Of the two I've read, The Christmas Box and The Locket, he somehow manages to keep the stories interesting and compelling without being preachy. I'm now reading through the sequel, Timepiece which chronicles Mary's life and am enjoying it. I will be reviewing it later this year.

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Tuesday, January, 20, 2009 at 14:26:27

Kristina

I loved this book! Richard Paul Evans is a good author, don't you think? I've read The Christmas Box, The Timepiece, The Letter and I have on my TBR pile The Carousel, and The Locket and The Sunflower. You make me want to read them all now!

Comment #2: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:04:12

Pussreboots

I've certainly enjoyed the two books I've read and want to read more. Enjoy the books on your TBR pile.