The Letter, Richard Paul Evans
The Letter, Richard Paul Evans
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

The Letter

Author: Richard Paul Evans

Narrator: William Dufris

Unabridged: 6 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/03/2012


Synopsis

The Letter, the final book of the Christmas Box collection is, most simply stated, the love story of David and MaryAnne Parkin. But it is also everyone's love story, for it is about the storms that all relationships must face when the blissful state of romance vanishes into one of real-life challenges and difficulties. We often forget that it is in the hard times that we truly see what is best in love as well as in life. Though love may be temporarily darkened, true love never gives in, or up, but holds tight to noble ideas, which transcend this earth and all time.

The Letter is also about our pasts and our individual quests to discover who we are. In The Letter, David Parkin sets out on a journey to find his mother, a woman who abandoned him when he was a child. In truth, however, David is searching for himself as he seeks to free himself from the pain of her rejection and his fear that he was somehow unworthy of her love. In a sense, David's search is the same journey we are all pursuing. We are all seeking love.

My hope is that you will feel what I felt as I wrote this book -- the divine nature of loyalty and the understanding of why we must share love whenever and wherever.

One final note. I am saddened to finish the Christmas Box trilogy and to bid good-bye to the Parkin family. I do not know if I shall ever visit them again, but I am glad for this last story -- a story which I think is a fitting sendoff for the characters I've grown to love. I hope that the message you find in their lives is meaningful to your own. And, most of all, that in reading the Christmas Box collection, you, and those with whom you share my books, will never be the same.

With my love, Richard Paul Evans

About Richard Paul Evans

Showing great tenacity, American author, Richard Paul Evans, grew up in Murray City, Utah, and when he decided to write and publish a book, he could not find a willing publisher, so he self-published. That book was entitled, The Christmas Box. He had been working full time as an advertising executive, when he decided to write a Christmas story for his children. He distributed his book to area bookstores, and it became a huge local success.

The following year, The Christmas Box became the #2 bestseller on the New York Times list. That distinction led to a bidding war among publishers (who originally had no interest). Simon and Schuster won the bidding with their advance payment of $4.2 million! They released the book in hardcover in 1995, and it became the first book to be NYT #1 bestseller in both hard cover and paperback.

In 1995, The Christmas Box was made into a movie for television, starring Richard Thomas and Maureen O'Hara. In 1996 his book, Timepiece, was also made into a television movie starring Naomi Watts, James Earl Jones, and Ellen Burstyn. Other books adapted for movies were, The Locket, A Perfect Day, The Mistletoe Promise, and The Mistletoe Inn.

Evans is known for his conservative Christian themes appealing to family values, and for his children's books. He also founded Christmas Box House, Int'l that helps abused and neglected children, with a network of shelters and services. Another group was established to help men who have feelings of isolation caused by the "toxic masculinity" movement by some women. This group is called Tribe of Kyngs. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife, five children, and one grandchild.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Rosh ~on extended semihiatus~ on December 10, 2023

So here's an embarrassing anecdote! I have been seeing this series all over my GR feed thanks to some friends who read it this Advent and gushed over it. Their enthusiasm was so infectious that I decided to add it to my Christmas reading list. Today, I finally checked the details of the book. Guess wh......more

Goodreads review by beautywithbooks on May 09, 2018

This was a beautiful book. This is collection of three amazing stories that all intertwined and left you smiling with a broken heart. This is story between David and MaryAnne Parkin. Set in the early 20th century, the Parkins, through their experiences, teach us lessons of life, love and dealing wit......more

Goodreads review by Tracy on July 31, 2011

This was a beautiful book.....3 amazing stories that all intertwined and left you smiling with a broken heart. The Christmas Box has always been one of my favorite stories and it was wonderful to have the other two stories to add to the splendor of this story. MaryAnne and David Parkin are a beautif......more

Goodreads review by Sarah on December 23, 2010

A collection of three stories that tell of the love story between David and MaryAnne Parkin. Set in the early 20th century, the Parkins, through their experiences, teach us lessons of life, love and dealing with grief. The stories are interwoven beautifully and leave one weeping at their joys and gr......more

Goodreads review by Kim on December 16, 2016

I literally couldn't put this book down once I started! I read it in one day! Great characters, engaging plots, and lessons that everyone needs to learn.......more