Customer Reviews

The Letter

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The last, longest, and best of the Christmas Box trilogy, this book picks up from "Timepiece" and ends with the promise of "The Christmas Box."

Twenty years after Andrea's death, MaryAnne prepares to leave for England-forever. David has emotionally shut himself away after Andrea's death, and she can no longer stand the wreck of their marriage. While visiting her daughter's grave, MaryAnne discovers a letter that may be from David's mother, who ran away to become an actress when he was a child.

After MaryAnne vanishes, the only people David wants to communicate with is his business partner, Catherine the cook, and his old friend Lawrence, who was injured and blinded by racists. But when he goes to a party, he meets a young socialite named Dierdre, who is attracted to him and plans to do something about it.

Soon, David leaves to find out where his mother is, with Dierdre accompanying him. He discovers things about himself, his life, and his marriage, but it takes a tragedy to bring everyone together for the tearjerking finale.

This has more mature themes than before, with mentions of illegitimate children, alcoholism, suicide and Dierdre's pursuit of a married man. All are tasteful and relatively pure, though.

Characterizations are at their best here-David grows and blossoms painfully as he realizes how he has shut everyone out. The reader can feel Lawrence's despair at his blindness and mortality. Dierdre is, fortunately, not portrayed as an amoral homewrecker, but rather as a rather spoiled but kind young woman whose attraction to David grows into real love. MaryAnne is seen less than in the previous books, but we see stirrings of the sad, but beautiful and faithful woman in "Christmas Box."

An underappreciated classic, I'd love to see this made into a movie.

Well, I love his books! :) I started with A Christmas Box 8 years ago. It was a gift from a friend when my little boy died. And it gave me such inspiration and hope that I now feel compelled to read every single work that he has written. I have given his books as gifts to friends and I have hooked them all. Continue the great work, Mr. Evans. Thanks for helping me to cry and giving me reason to begin to smile once more. (Terry Blinkenberg)

Bravo!! "The Letter" concludes the love story of David and Maryanne Parkin. You must read "The Christmas Box" and "Timepiece", to capture the entire story. Set in the 1930's, Evans did a wonderful job portraying this era. The events, the characters, the places, all well written. This series is one of the best I have ever read. David Parkin is a incredible man. Maryanne is a wonderful, understanding, loving person. Together through their loss of their daughter, Andrea, their lives go in different directions. David sets off on a journey to find answers. As he was abandoned by his mother at six years old, his feelings always haunted him. When Andrea dies, he virtually relives the same feelings, even worse, only this time shutting out Maryanne from his heart. Maryanne makes a major decision that will break your heart. Their love for each is so strong and real, you can feel it just by reading this love story. I can't leave out the characters of Catherine and Lawrence as well. Their part through-out the series is very touching and two very dedicated friends to the Parkins. The ending was incredible. I won't say how it ends but only that I wasn't expecting it and I had to have a box of tissues. As Evans bids farewell to the lives of David and Maryanne, so do I. It was an incredible love story. Don't pass this series up.

The Letter is a great conclusion to a wonderful series of books. If you read "Timepiece" and "The Christmas Box", you must read "The Letter". This book was a little slow in the middle, but keep with it. However, the ending packed a powerful punch. Again, I cried. I fell in love with David and Mary Ann Parkin all over again.

Richard Paul Evans is a gifted writer. I hope he writes more books like this one.

I LOVED the Christmas Box and bought several copies for friends. I enjoyed The Timepiece but not quite as much but it would still be in my Top 20 books. The Letter, however, was a big disappointment. I felt it didn't remain true to the characters and I especially didn't want David and Mary Anne to have problems and waste precious "Time" together. It may be a truer account of life but that's not what I was looking for. The other story line in the book was all that held this together for me.

You may call me a sap, a die hard romantic, whatever you like, but this man is something. I saw Timepiece on tv on New Years Eve, and went directly to the library to get this book and Timepiece, and I read them both in two days time. And I got to say, the book is better. But let me address this one. I loved it. Now what was the purpose of digging up Lawrence's body?? What was he going to do down below anyhow?? Upset the other occupants? Now, that was simple and disrespectful. I was sorry for the Parkin's seperation, yet rejoiced in their reunion, and saddened for David. I cannot adequately describe Mr.Evans writings, but to say it is truly beautiful. Thank you Mr.Evans for your books.

I wish the Parkins' story didn't have to end. They were a family whose love endured all, and I loved imagining how powerful was the loved they shared. Although I liked The Timepiece better, this book is still a very well written book that takes you into the soul of this family. You will cry with them and feel their heartbreak. This is a great book to snuggle up with.

Even if I am just 11 years old I love the Richard Paul Evans books. My mom was so surprised when I showed an interest in his books because they weren't written for children but she didn't stop me. Now I have read three of them and working on a forth. He is a truly talented writer and his books captured my attention completely. I Love This Book!!!!!

After reading the first two books in The Christmas Box series, I felt compelled to finish reading the life tales of David and Mary Ann Parkin, and I'm glad I did. This final installment of David and Mary Ann's journey will give you the answers to the questions you had from before, but will also leave you with the most taunting of all questions...Why?

A man goes through life trying to figure out what he wants from the past. In the end he finds out it is not neccessary to stay and live in the past, but in the future and present.