Before I purchase or read a book that I purchased on a whim, I go to Amazon and read a few reviews. Typically, a couple of the five star as well as the one star reviews, getting a feel for both spectrums. The few negative/one star reviews that I read for THE CHRISTMAS BOX, didn’t deter me. Why they believe the book to not be good wasn’t concerning enough. The second thing I do is go inside the book and read a few paragraph to get a feel for the authors writing style. If there was ever a book I was glad to have not been swayed by the bad reviews, it’s THE CHRISTMAS BOX by RICHARD PAUL EVANS. Wow! One would think it much easier to write a novella, but when in fact it’s harder. With a full-length novel, you have pages of words to convey your story. With a novella, not so much. It takes a skilled writer to pull off a novella that contains all the elements required to make a great story, and that’s exactly what RICHARD PAUL EVANS has accomplished in this wonderful short story. Richard works hard to keep his family afloat with a shared business, while his wife cares for their soon-to-be four-year old daughter, Jenna. When his wife Keri spots an ad in the newspaper for a live-in family to make a lonely widow - Mary Perkins - meals, along with doing a few odd jobs, they are quick to apply, having outgrown their cramped apartment. Richard and his family are quickly welcomed into Mary’s home where they soon become a family. There are secrets discovered in the attic, and even greater lessons to be learned.THE CHRISTMAS BOX will keep your interest, wanting to read the next page before you’ve completed the one your reading. It will capture your heart, your soul, make you smile, and make you weep. As I began to read THE CHRISTMAS BOX, I didn’t have high hopes for a well-rounded story with only 87 TINY pages. I certainly didn’t expect to be in awe of MR EVANS writing. But that’s exactly what happened. The way he strings words together with brilliant descriptions that flow naturally, is nothing short of amazing. RICHARD PAUL EVANS storytelling is of one that I will not only be reading to learn the craft of writing, but seeking out his future novels.
Entrei eu numa Bertrand em Dezembro, para ver as novidades e se havia alguma pechincha quando me deparo com uma caixa de madeira com o título "A arca de Natal".Eu, uma maníaca pela época, peguei logo logo nele e li a sinopse. Não que o fosse deixar lá quando o tema é o Natalinho, mas só para ver o que dizia. . .Quando dei por mim estava a dirigir-me para a caixa e, como tinha dinheiro acumulado no cartão, ficou-me por apenas 8€. Estava a prenda de Natal de mim para mim feita.A arca de Natal é um conto que é tão belo quanto triste.É um livro pequenino que se lê numa hora ou duas.Contém uma mensagem preciosa.Uma família com uma pequena filhota, em que a mãe procura emprego, consegue esse mesmo emprego junto de uma senhora rica que mete o anúncio num jornal. A casa dessa senhora é grande e é perto da do casal e assim torna-se a situação. . . ideal.A mãe consegue o emprego, no entanto, o emprego implica que a família toda se mude para a nova casa pois a senhora, quer apoio a tempo inteiro. Dispõe um piso para toda a família, e, com o arrastar dos dias, ocupam a casa toda juntamente com a senhora. Moram todos na mesma casa.Acontece que a família começa a notar que a senhora os quer por lá mais pela companhia do que pelas tarefas que possam eventualmente desempenhar e é assim que notam que algo se passa. . . A senhora dá-se muito bem com a menina pequenina e até, inclusivé, chama a atenção do pai de família para o possível tempo que está a recusar à filha, pois o pai trabalha muito e são poucos os momentos que são dedicados à família. . . e chama a sua atenção mais do que uma vez. . .E assim os dias se vão passando, até que algo acontece com a senhora. . .e esta insiste com o pai de família para este descobrir o verdadeiro significado do Natal. . . e faz até uma pergunta:"Qual foi o primeiro presente de Natal"?Esta pergunta arrasta-se e apenas nas últimas páginas o personagem se apercebe do que isto significa e consequentemente o que significa para nós, leitores. . .Todo o pequeno livro se passa nos dias que antecedem o Natal.Recomendo aos fãs acérrimos do Natal, como eu.
What do You think about The Christmas Box (1996)?
I was looking for some books to bring on a Christmas trip to Canada, and to my dismay, I didn't have enough room for some books higher up on my tbr list. Then I saw this one on my bookshelf, so little which would benefit my packing and my goodreads 2012 reading challenge I was behind on, so I brought it along. A nice, simple Christmas story. It was so short it seemed like it could have been a magazine article story or something of the like. But I was secretly thankful for the length. I only wished that the story had more of a WOW factor. It was predictable from the time he first found the box. The book itself has a nice cover and it looks nice enough to use as Christmas decor.
—Jacqueline
*FYI: Spiritual as well as very personal content. Read at your own discretion:THE CHRISTMAS BOX by Richard Paul Evans is a simple story about the true meaning of Christmas. Mary, the elderly woman in the story, truly GETS what Christmas is all about because, like God Himself, she gave (albeit unwillingly) her child's life. Anyone who has lost a child, knows and understand the sacrifice God made in sending HIS ONLY Son to live and die simply because He loves us so very much. Parents love their children. They would do anything to keep their children safe. Parents would do anything for their children. Parents hope to give everything possible to their children. Jesus was the first true Christmas Gift....He was born as a baby--God sent Him because He loved us even though we had yet to be born...and Jesus lived a full life only to die a horrible, terrible, awful death on the cross because HE loved us--and continues to do so. God sent His Son to live and die--to be SACRIFICED--for the very simple fact that He loves me, Polly Anna Watson. He WILLINGLY sent His son to die a sacrificial death. Wow.When my children died, I didn't give any of the three of them up willingly--not one. In fact, if I had my choice, if I had my way, if I could, I would do whatever it took to bring each and every one back home to be with me. But God loved me enough that He SENT, He GAVE, He SACRIFICED His ONLY Son..........Wow. Wow. And Wow.
—Polly Watson
2.5 stars, but I will round up to 3 stars because it is trying to accomplish some good by emphasizing a thoughtful message for the Christmas season. I read this many years ago. I even own a copy. I pulled it from a box, (yes a box,) while I was looking for something else. I read it again since the Christmas season is fast approaching. I liked what the author tried to accomplish with this book. He obviously was on a mission to prove a point. I can appreciate that, but this is NOT my kind of book. It was too sweet for me and too obvious. I wish it were a little more 'story', because it seemed to be all 'message'.
—Donna
