Customer Reviews

The Carousel

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Each Fall I await two things--the turning of the leaves and a new book from Richard Paul Evans. The leaves are obvious, so I call around to make sure that Mr. Evans' new book is out, and am delighted when I find outthat it's time to buy it!

I bought one copy of THE CAROUSEL for myself, and 12 more to put away for holiday presents (no one is ever disappointed when they open up a gift and it's one of his books). The best treat is to have the time to sit down and read it all in one sitting--and this year I put aside a day to do justthat. Was that ever a good way to spend an afternoon/evening!

Once again, while reading one of his books, I laughed and I cried, and did it all over again. I came away from this book feeling a renewed faith in love. I looked around att hose I love and wanted to share so many emotions with them--and I did. I took extra time to tell my family I love them and have been thinking on ways I can be a better person.

This book is a great love story. The writing is beautiful, and I just wish there were more love stories with this much LOVE!!!

Thank you Mr. Evans for another great read!

Several years ago, Richard Paul Evans became known for his book The Christmas Box. In this short novel we are presented with the story of an elderly woman and her devotion to her family. Shortly thereafter, Evans followed this book with two ore about this woman and family in Timepiece and The Letter. Again readers were regaled the spirit of loyal relationships and caring individuals.

Through the years and in future books, these values would become the benchmark of an Evans novel as they became a recurring theme. And this is certainly true of hsi most recent book, The Carousel. In this book we, as readers, learn more about Faye Morrow and Micheal Keddington whom we first met in The Locket. While The Carousel deals with loyalty, sacrifice, salvation and ultimately redemption, it is also a beautiful story of a great and abiding love between two people during a diffciult time. And while the storyline borders on sappy at times, the reader comes to love the characters of Michael, Faye, their friend Hallie and Sarah so much that even the predictable ending is overlooked.

I do suggest that others read and take to heart Evans's words and views especailly when they think life has little left to offer them.

And while it might be too late to purhcase this for the holdiay season of 2000, be sure and put it on your list for reader's for next year. It is perfect for the spirit of the holidays as are most of Richard Paul Evan's' books.

I can't begin to explain how I just couldn't put this book down! I have read other books by Richard Paul Evans in the past, but this one touched my heart in places deeper than the other books seemed to go. I felt for Michael, in every instance, and felt myself rooting for him with each turn of the page. A must read and a great Christmas gift that truly captures the spirit of that season: Love.

Whoever wrote the review that this book was "boring", has surely not read Mr. Evans' copy of THE CAROUSEL, perhaps with their intellect, they've mistaken it for a copy of a children's book about a carousel they read. This book is the BEST that Richard Paul Evans has written to date. Like fine wine and cheese, he just gets better and better with age (and experience in writing). The real life issues that this book addressess on depression, suicide and multiple sclerosis will help our society realize that these do not have to be hidden "closet" issues. Finally someone teaches us that these are true diseases and not just a person's "problem". Thank you Richard Paul Evans for opening the door for thousands to see the truth. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone to read. Definatley a 5+ Star Novel.

Though I must admit the story was poignant and I agree that life is like a carousel at times, it left me unsatisfied... This is the first book I've read of Evans, and he's a good author, but at times I was left hanging and wondering...it felt like a soap opera episode... It's a decent read, though, and the publishing company did a really good job designing his books, so don't be surpised if you're drawn to this book.

This is the first book I have read by Richard Evans (aside from the children's book "The Dance"). I was not disappointed. While usually a reader of non-fiction, I am very "picky" when it comes to novels and work of fiction. This story was extremely satisfying. This book read very well, the story flowed nicely, the characters were well-defined, and everything happened for a reason. While some people may call this a "sappy love story", I choose to look at it as a painful, but must-have lesson about life and love. Growing up and coming of age - you know - the twenty-something years where you are no longer a child, but not yet a "real" grown-up. I will definitely go back and read some of Mr. Evans' other pieces - beginning with the prequel to this story. I highly recommend!!!

Like a ride on a carousel, the story deals with the unforeseen 'ups and downs' we are all faced with in a lifetime. It reveals how many of the characters struggle to conquer indecision, uncertainty, doubt and despair in their attempt to overcome the tough times. At the same time, the book delivers a hidden message illustrating how we as individuals can grow and actually become better people as a result of those unpleasant experiences that seemingly aim to rip our happy and peaceful lives to shreds.

I've read all of Richard Paul Evans' books and this one is right up there on top. Many successful authors seem to rest on their laurels after a few best sellers and amazingly continue to sell books despite their lukewarm slipshod offerings. It is refreshing to note that Mr. Evans does not fall into this category. It's as though he becomes more seasoned and strives to improve with each novel he writes. Unlike some of his previous novels, he delves into many ugly issues and problems we are faced with in today's world -- for example, child abuse, suicide, AIDS, sexual harassment, and drug abuse. However, as in his prior books, the realities are exposed but without the unnecessary overuse of expletives and explicit graphic detail.

The male protagonist, Michael Keddington, who was first introduced in The Locket, has a dream about his lovely girlfriend, Faye Murrow. In the dream she is on a carousel riding a handsome jeweled Arabian horse. On the first turn, she is smiling and happily waving to him while beckoning him to join her. On the second turn, she mysteriously vanishes from sight. Michael is troubled by his haunting dream and wonders whether it was just that...a dream, or a portent of things to come.

Prior to the two young lovers going their separate ways off to colleges 2000 miles apart, they decide to elope on the spur of the moment. From that time on they are faced with difficult challenges and a course of tragic circumstances that cut into their seemingly blissful relationship like a fresh wound. Many people of different walks of life and diverse backgrounds enter the scenario as if by destiny or fate. It shows how each helps the other in their own special way, whether by kind deeds, actions or words.

My favorite passage reveals a thought provoking message so beautifully expressed and is found in the introduction to Chapter 13 -- "...we do not walk alone in this life. There are others, fellow sojourners, whose journeys are interwoven with ours in seemingly random patterns, yet in the end, have been carefully placed to reveal a remarkable tapestry. I believe God is the weaver of that loom." This illustrates that although there are times we would like it to be so, no man or relationship is an island. Clearly put, people do indeed need people!

I highly recommend this book not only for an entertaining read but also for the inspirational powerful messages contained within the story that can be applied to our own lives.

The ups and downs set us off in directions that hopefully lead us back to each other. This is a continuation of the love story of Michael and Faye who we first met in the book THE CHRISTMAS BOX. Evans does it again, a five hanky novel that leaves you sobbing and thankful for what goodness your everyday life holds.

Faye goes off to medical school and Michael must stay behind. As if that isn't enough, a visitor at the nursing facility where Michael works has become very close to him as she watches her grandfather grow weaker and close to death. Faye makes friends with a waitress on the run who has a daughter to support and is faced with a crippling disease.

There is trouble on all fronts and Michael and Faye's world is about to be shaken to the very core. Evans' novels have some of the strongest characters I have ever come upon. They make mistakes but they have morals, and his message is unrelenting and moving. There is always a great feeling of resolution when you read the last page. Kelsana 6/25/01

"To dream is to hope. To hope is to live" (The Carousel). Richard Paul Evan's The Carousel comes to enlighten you with the story of Faye Murrow and Michael Keddington. So much in love they must somehow manage to subsist their separation while Faye is away at school. They come to face many hardships along the way. Dreams of the future give them hope, which in a sense gives them the energy to carry on and survive their time apart. This book has a very perceptive storyline. Each feat lead to another, yet it ws not predictable, a superb quality for a book to encompass. Each character was well developed and extremely realistic. During portions of this book I felt as if I was essentially surviving the situations along with the character. I got so involved in the book that I was on the edge of my seat foir hours just dying to know what would happen next. The twists and turns along the way made it easier to stay attached to the book. There wasn't a moment when I wasn't trying to hypothesize what would happen next. Overall, it was a very evocative story. It dealt with so many issues that are worth consideration; "I do not know why we delude ourselves that life is predictable and safe, when it's really just a carton of eggs - always just one stumble away from being scrambled" (The Carousel). It truly captured the spirit of the season and warmed by heart. Though happiness many not always surround the characters in this book, it is evident that they always keep it in mind. "There would be less suffering in this world if hummanity would learn this one truth: It is not what we recieve, but what we give that heals us" (The Carousel). If you didn't realize that happiness and love are the main theme of the holiday season before, you certainly will after reading this fabulous book. "We want to believe that we have control of our lives, but we don't. We can't even promise our time. The best we can do is promise our hearts. And the most we can hope for is to live each moment as if it's our last" (The Carousel). If nothing else this book is wonderful life lessons just waiting to be discovered and acted upon.

A very heartwarming book about life's ups and downs. This is my second Richard Evans book - my first was the "Last Promise" and I was looking for more. I wasn't disappointed by this one - I feel like I know the characters in this book. The style of writing is great and while I'm not a puritan, I do appreciate the fact that Evans keeps it clean without a lot of gratuitous sex or bad language that seems to be creeping into everything nowadays. I noticed one of the "professional" reviewers said it's not the great American novel but I heartily recommend this book as a nice read.