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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
From the blurb.
It is in the darkest skies that stars are best seen -- perhaps it is divine irony that within the darkest moments we are capable of revealing the greatest light, demonstrating what is best with humanity.
Book 2 of The Christmas Box is a historical fiction set in Utah. Told through a diary of David Parkins from the early 1900s through the Depression. This sad and happy holiday story is thought provoking with many life lessons sprinkle throughout. David's wife, MaryAnne ties into the first book of the collection. I love the historical aspect of the novel and the message of forgiveness.
I'll be be reading book 3, [b:The Letter|199796|The Letter (The Christmas Box, #3)|Richard Paul Evans|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442704361l/199796._SX50_.jpg|2918712] sometime soon.
It is in the darkest skies that stars are best seen -- perhaps it is divine irony that within the darkest moments we are capable of revealing the greatest light, demonstrating what is best with humanity.
Book 2 of The Christmas Box is a historical fiction set in Utah. Told through a diary of David Parkins from the early 1900s through the Depression. This sad and happy holiday story is thought provoking with many life lessons sprinkle throughout. David's wife, MaryAnne ties into the first book of the collection. I love the historical aspect of the novel and the message of forgiveness.
I'll be be reading book 3, [b:The Letter|199796|The Letter (The Christmas Box, #3)|Richard Paul Evans|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442704361l/199796._SX50_.jpg|2918712] sometime soon.
Good prequel to the Christmas Box detailing David and Maryanne Parkin. Not really a holiday book like the last book. This was sad.
Some memorable quotes:
"The only promise of childhood is that it will end. And when it is gone, it is gone."
"I cannot answer for the whole of human suffering. I can only speak from my experience. But I have found that my pain is instructive. That through it I become more than I would otherwise."
Some memorable quotes:
"The only promise of childhood is that it will end. And when it is gone, it is gone."
"I cannot answer for the whole of human suffering. I can only speak from my experience. But I have found that my pain is instructive. That through it I become more than I would otherwise."
I picked up Timepiece for its first and last pages–for the passage above and the last passage. I also picked it up for its cover, its elegant interior, and because of my insatiable fascination with clocks and time. I love books that address the menace of time–and even better if they have foreboding clocks. Timepiece is a prequel to The Christmas Box, which I’d heard about but never read and wasn’t terribly interested in reading. But hey, prequels can stand alone, and this book looked interesting in its own right.
The first half of this book was fantastic. Clever, crackling, appropriately archaic dialogue between romantic but amusing characters. MaryAnne’s lofty snark and self-respect endeared me to her, and David’s awkward, well-meaning attempts to get to know her were enjoyable. I’m not usually one for feel-good (or in this case, feel-good-then-break-your-heart) love stories, but David and MaryAnne were realistic and their dialogue always hooked me. Thus was the first half of the book.
The second half of this book is where things started to go awry. The dialogue fell out–and for good reason, in some cases. Tragedy struck. But instead of the characters handling it realistically, instead of them coping together, instead of me seeing them struggle and cry, and instead the menace of time being highlighted in moments of grave clarity, the book descended into melodrama. I felt like half-way through, someone told the author he had to pull on the heart strings, and I feel like maybe the characters weren’t ready for that yet. The lively personalities of David and MaryAnne fell flat in the end, making the tragedy less than heartwrenching. By the end, I felt like someone was trying to manipulate me into crying, even though I had lost interest as soon as the characters fell out. Disappointing.
What makes it especially sad is that Richard Paul Evans is one hell of a writer. He can turn a phrase with fantastic and powerful precision–that stark attention to detail and succinct gravity is what initially interested me in this book. But even that seemed to fade near the end. In summary, Timepiece had a great setup, but the delivery fell flat. I do want to read more Richard Paul Evans. But this book just frustrated me in the end.
However, as always, what can be learned as a writer from this experience?
1. Being precise, succinct, and powerful with your words is a great way to hook readers. When I read that first passage, I was immediately excited. What a brief but intriguing bit of writing. What a fantastic setup for conflict! I can forgive many things if the writing gives me chills of delight.
2. No matter how cliche the situation, if your characters are well-developed, the story is still interesting. So, I’ve heard the love story of David and MaryAnne a dozen times over in other books–but that never bothered me, because David and MaryAnne were so distinct as characters. For that first half, their banter was fresh, their actions authentic and enjoyable. Characters make everything!
3. Whatever you do, don’t force the story into places where characters fall flat! If your characters aren’t having any of the drama, recalibrate your course. The worst possible thing that can happen to ruin a book (in my opinion) is to have your characters fall out! Without that, plots quickly become dry, cliche, forced, and often melodramatic. Wherever the story goes, make sure the characters go with it, and don’t draw out tears at the expense of those characters.
The first half of this book was fantastic. Clever, crackling, appropriately archaic dialogue between romantic but amusing characters. MaryAnne’s lofty snark and self-respect endeared me to her, and David’s awkward, well-meaning attempts to get to know her were enjoyable. I’m not usually one for feel-good (or in this case, feel-good-then-break-your-heart) love stories, but David and MaryAnne were realistic and their dialogue always hooked me. Thus was the first half of the book.
The second half of this book is where things started to go awry. The dialogue fell out–and for good reason, in some cases. Tragedy struck. But instead of the characters handling it realistically, instead of them coping together, instead of me seeing them struggle and cry, and instead the menace of time being highlighted in moments of grave clarity, the book descended into melodrama. I felt like half-way through, someone told the author he had to pull on the heart strings, and I feel like maybe the characters weren’t ready for that yet. The lively personalities of David and MaryAnne fell flat in the end, making the tragedy less than heartwrenching. By the end, I felt like someone was trying to manipulate me into crying, even though I had lost interest as soon as the characters fell out. Disappointing.
What makes it especially sad is that Richard Paul Evans is one hell of a writer. He can turn a phrase with fantastic and powerful precision–that stark attention to detail and succinct gravity is what initially interested me in this book. But even that seemed to fade near the end. In summary, Timepiece had a great setup, but the delivery fell flat. I do want to read more Richard Paul Evans. But this book just frustrated me in the end.
However, as always, what can be learned as a writer from this experience?
1. Being precise, succinct, and powerful with your words is a great way to hook readers. When I read that first passage, I was immediately excited. What a brief but intriguing bit of writing. What a fantastic setup for conflict! I can forgive many things if the writing gives me chills of delight.
2. No matter how cliche the situation, if your characters are well-developed, the story is still interesting. So, I’ve heard the love story of David and MaryAnne a dozen times over in other books–but that never bothered me, because David and MaryAnne were so distinct as characters. For that first half, their banter was fresh, their actions authentic and enjoyable. Characters make everything!
3. Whatever you do, don’t force the story into places where characters fall flat! If your characters aren’t having any of the drama, recalibrate your course. The worst possible thing that can happen to ruin a book (in my opinion) is to have your characters fall out! Without that, plots quickly become dry, cliche, forced, and often melodramatic. Wherever the story goes, make sure the characters go with it, and don’t draw out tears at the expense of those characters.
Starting off 2022 with an solid 3,5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Enjoyed the first one a bit more.
Enjoyed the first one a bit more.
4.5 stars. This was another fantastic story in this series. I will say that I was expecting a Christmas book since the first book had Christmas themes. However, it was wonderfully written, and I enjoyed the audiobook narrator as well.
Being a prequel to the Christmas Box, it has another sweet tooth sensation of love and spirit, as we enter into Mary Anne's world of the past. Through this book of heart ache and friendship we learn of a two lovers whose life combines into a beautiful love story. Though I cannot give details, this book is amazing and really made me think of my own life and how I live it. You'd quite enjoy this christmas story, as much as I did.
reflective
slow-paced
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes