The Looking Glass, Richard Paul Evans
The Looking Glass, Richard Paul Evans
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The Looking Glass

Author: Richard Paul Evans

Narrator: Richard Thomas

Abridged: 2 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/01/1999


Synopsis

When I started to write The Looking Glass, I intended to create a story about the healing power of hope and love. But as this story developed, a message began to emerge that I had not foreseen, a message about the distorted mirror in which we view ourselves, binding ourselves with shackles of self-doubt and fear.
The Looking Glass is aptly named, for it is about seeing the reality of ourselves: to see a true reflection of who we are.
It is the story of Hunter Bell, a Presbyterian minister turned gambler, and the founder of a gold camp named Bethel. (Which you may remember was Esther's hometown in The Locket.) He is running from the bitter memories of his past, his ministry, and ultimately, from his God.
Venturing into a blizzard to chase away wolves drawn close to his cabin by hunger, Hunter finds a beautiful young woman in the snow, wounded by the wolves and half dead with the cold. Her name is Quaye McGandley, and she is an Irish woman sold into marital slavery to a brutal husband who then brought her to America against her will. As Hunter nurses her back to health, he finds that his tender ministrations to Quaye have opened his heart to his greatest fear -- that he might love again.
It is my hope that you, and those with whom you share my audiobook, might through its message better see the divinity within yourself and the reality of who you are worthy of love, gentleness, and grace.

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 Diane on March 08, 2017

very complex and emotional..a story about surviving the Old West..(paperback!)......more

Goodreads review by Nandi on April 26, 2008

If you want to read a story about a woman in historical times who survived the odds somehow in spite of the limitations, then this is the book for you. It's about a wayward preacher who hurt by the death of his wife after giving birth to their child, leaves his home in Pennsylvania and heads west be......more

Goodreads review by Heidi on April 03, 2012

Really liked this book. could hardly put it down. Very well-written. **Spoilers** HOWEVER, I read this a week or so ago & STILL cannot get over that Hunter dies in the end. Especially right after all the promises he made to Quaye. I RE-wrote the ending in my head & he recovers after all & they both m......more

Goodreads review by Christine on December 31, 2020

I thought it was really good, combining both historical facts but romance and conflicts......more

Goodreads review by Kari on January 07, 2020

Despite an extremely sad and unexpected ending, I loved this book. (ummmm hello….you see who the Author is….of course I loved it) Set in a a town called Bethel, a small gold camp in western Utah in 1857 (50 years prior to the arrival of Esther Huish from The Locket). It's a love story, as well as a......more