The Gift: A Novel (Hardcover)

by Richard Paul Evans (Author)
Key Phrases: Salt Lake, State Street, Pastor Tim (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Evans (The Christmas Box) returns with narrator Nathan Hurst, a frequently traveling, Tourette's-suffering security chief for a retail chain. When Nathan gets snowed in at the Denver airport at Thanksgiving, he offers half his hotel suite to a stranded needy family: recently divorced single mom Addison (a massage therapist), and her two children, Lizzy and Collin. Collin, who has leukemia, cures Nathan's Tourette's with his gift of healing touch. Exercising his secret gift makes Collin sicker, though, and as news of his healing powers eventually leaks out, leading to a demand for his services, his condition worsens. Nathan, meanwhile, feels emboldedened by his cure, and moves to address childhood woes when visiting his nursing home–bound mother. The tightly honed narrative, brimming with good intention to find courage in shared suffering, soon brings everyone together. (Oct.)
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Product Description

There is no hurtso great that lovecannot heal it

Nathan Hurst hated Christmas. For the rest of the world it was a day of joy and celebration; for Nathan it was simply a reminder of the event that destroyed his childhood until a snowstorm, a cancelled flight, and an unexpected meeting with a young mother and her very special son would show him that Christmas is indeed the season of miracles.

From the beloved author of the international bestseller The Christmas Box comes another timeless story of faith, hope, and healing.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (October 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416550011
• ISBN-13: 978-1416550013
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #251,230 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Gift, January 1, 2008

By	Ratmammy "The Ratmammy" (Ratmammy's Town, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

THE GIFT by Richard Paul Evans
January 1, 2008


Amazon Rating: 4/5 stars

In Richard Paul Evans latest novel, a man witnesses a series of miracles performed by a young, terminally ill boy, and learns lessons in love and giving. Nathan Hurst doesn't realize what is missing in his life, but upon the start of this new relationship, Nathan makes some changes in his own life and also learns the lesson of forgiveness.

Nathan works for a retail store in which he is to prevent and catch employees who are stealing from the company, in particular, merchandise. During one of his business trips visiting one of the stores, he encounters a boy and his family while waiting at the airport on a very snowy night. This young boy is terminally ill, but Nathan discovers a gift that this young boy has. It's a type of gift that is kept secret, because once it is known, the boy's mother knows that the media will be on their backs, as will the rest of the world. For the sake of the boy's health, his mother tries her best to hide this special gift from the public.

Nathan gets involved with the woman and her two children by volunteering his hotel room for the night, as their flight has been cancelled due to the snowstorm. This act of kindness leads to one thing and another, and soon he has fallen in love with the woman, as he also learns lessons in unselfish love from the young boy.

THE GIFT is the type of book geared toward the holidays, a story filled with miracles. It's an emotional story, so be sure to have a box of Kleenex by your side! Readers who enjoy reading books by Mitch Albom will love THE GIFT.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Fulfilling Story, October 9, 2007

By	Anonymous (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews

Richard Paul Evans has written his best novel in years! I was not planning to read this book in one sitting, but I could not put it down. This was a wonderfully emotional book. I enjoyed so many relationships from Addison to Nathan, Collin to Elizabeth and Nathan to his mother. I was completely enthralled in their world and it made me reflect on my own life and relationships. As always, the diary entries are such a great part of the story. My favorite "Small kindnesses often, unintentionally, produce the biggest payoffs." It's what life is all about. This is a truly amazing book from an incredible writer.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Wonderful, Inspiring Story from Richard Paul Evans!, November 26, 2007

By	JJ Stark (Cicero, IL USA) - See all my reviews

What can I say that hasn't already been said? If you enjoy reading Richard Paul Evans' novels year after year, you certainly won't want to miss this one. If you've never read a RP Evans before, this is as good a place to start as any. The story moves along at a nice pace and the characters are well defined. We understand their thoughts and actions and the reasons that they do things. Under the pen of other authors, this is not always accomplished. RP Evans knows how to bring characters to life and make us feel like we know them personally. As you read a RP Evans novel, you'll think you're reading an article in your local newspaper or magazine. The characters and stories feel that real.

Inspirational without being mushy or over-dramatic. He tugs at just enough heartstrings without leaving you feeling overwhelmed or exhausted with emotion.

I look forward to Mr. Evans novels year after year and he never disappoints. My only complaint is that I get through the book so darned quickly, I'm left hanging for another 11 months looking for something to fill that void (nothing ever really does!) I look forward to many more books and wonderful reads from truly one of the most inspirational authors of the 21st century!

If you like Nicholas Sparks, Debbie Macomber, Luanne Rice, Kristin Hannah then you'll love Richard Paul Evans!