Lost December: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Richard Paul Evans (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 1, 2011

From one of America’s most beloved storytellers comes his most spiritual book since The Christmas Box.

“It has been said that sometimes the greatest hope in our lives is just a second chance to do what we should have done right in the first place. This is the story of my second chance.” —Prologue of Lost December

When Luke Crisp graduates from business school, his father, CEO and co-founder of Fortune 500 Crisp’s Copy Centers, is ready to share some good news: he wants to turn the family business over to his son. But Luke has other plans. Taking control of his trust fund, Luke leaves home to pursue a life of reckless indulgence.

But when his funds run out, so do his friends. Humbled, alone, and too ashamed to ask his father for help, Luke secretly takes a lowly job at one of his father’s copy centers. There he falls in love with a struggling single mother and begins to understand the greatest source of personal joy.

Lost December is Richard Paul Evans’s modernday holiday version of the biblical story of the prodigal son, a powerful tale of redemption, hope, and the true meaning of love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Three stars…The spreading of good tidings and a Santa-sized heart is palpable.”—USA Today

“Evans has his craft down to a fine art. If it's an old-fashioned tear-jerker you're after, he's your man.”—Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“A beautiful story of love and redemption.”—Deseret News

“An inspiring moral story filled with heartfelt family love and joy.”—Ventura County Star

“Evans offers up another heartwarming, feel-good tale in time for the holidays. . . . A touching redemption story.”—Booklist

About the Author

Richard Paul Evans is the #1 bestselling author of The Christmas Box. Each of his more than twenty novels has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list; there are more than seventeen million copies of his books in print. His books have been translated into more than twenty-four languages and several have been international bestsellers. He is the winner of the American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards for his children’s books, and the Romantic Times Best Women's Novel of the Year Award. Evans received the Washington Times Humanitarian of the Century Award and the Volunteers of America National Empathy Award for his work helping abused children. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1St Edition edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451628005
• ISBN-13: 978-1451628005
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (130 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Paul Evans
When Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author.

Officially, he was an advertising executive, an award-winning clay animator for the American and Japanese markets, candidate for state legislature and most importantly, husband and father. The Christmas Box was written as an expression of love for his (then) two daughters. Though he often told them how much he loved them, he wanted to express his love in a way that would be timeless. In 1993, Evans reproduced 20 copies of the final story and gave them to his closest relatives and friends as Christmas presents. In the month following, those 20 copies were passed around more than 160 times, and soon word spread so widely that bookstores began calling his home with orders for it.

His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. The Emmy award-winning CBS television movie based on The Christmas Box starred Maureen O'Hara and Richard Thomas. Two more of Evans's books were produced by Hallmark and starred such well-known actors as James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave, Naomi Watts, Mary McDonough and Academy award winner Ellen Burstyn. He has since written 10 consecutive New York Times bestsellers and is one of the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won three awards for his children's books including the 1998 American Mothers book award and two first place Storytelling World awards. Evans's latest book, The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth, is now available.

Of his success, Evans says: "The material achievements of The Christmas Box will never convey its true success, the lives it has changed, the families brought closer together, the mothers and fathers who suddenly understand the pricelessness of their children's fleeting childhood. I share the message of this book with you in hopes that in some way, you might be, as I was, enlightened."

During the Spring of 1997, Evans founded The Christmas Box House International, an organization devoted to building shelters and providing services for abused and neglected children. Such shelters are operational in Moab, Vernal, Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah and Lucre, Peru. To date, more than 16,000 children have been housed in Christmas Box House facilities.

As an acclaimed speaker, Evans has shared the podium with such notable personalities as President George W. Bush, President George and Barbara Bush, former British Prime Minister John Majors, Ron Howard, Elizabeth Dole, Deepak Chopra, Steve Allen, and Bob Hope. Evans has been featured on the Today show and Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Time, Newsweek, People, The New York Times, Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, USA Today, TV Guide, Reader's Digest, and Family Circle. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#12 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#17 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#19 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary

#25 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Literary Fiction

#33 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#12 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#17 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#19 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary

#25 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Literary Fiction

#33 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 107 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern day story of the Prodigal Son November 1, 2011

By Patty Kaye TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This Richard Paul Evans novel begins by recounting the biblical story of the Prodigal Son and states that this is much the same story. And that it is. It is, therefore, the predictable story of a greedy son who wastes his inheritance, hits the lowest point of his life, and yet is welcomed home by a loving and forgiving father.

The story is told through the eyes of Luke Crisp. He is born into a successful, wealthy lifestyle; all gained from hard work and wise decisions. He has an enviable relationship with his father, mutual love and respect. The influences of college friends tears that apart and changes his path in life. What follows is a whirlwind tale of extravagance, monetary waste, foolishness, deceit, rejection, and failure. This leads to his eventual downfall.

The main character warns you ahead of time that his story is the evil side of good-versus-evil, that you will find reason to dislike him. I can't say that I disliked him, just his choices. I think many people will see him instead as a good, hardworking person who is led astray, never really bad at heart but rather struggling with what happiness in life means. The fact that he consistently feels pangs of guilt and shame confirms that.

The second half of the story finds Luke at the very bottom. A true riches-to-rags outcome. He experiences life on the "other side of the tracks" so to speak. And when he couldn't dig himself any deeper of a hole in life, the love and care of a stranger turns his life around. This is where the lessons begin. Lessons is humility, gratefulness, the joy of giving and receiving, and ultimately true love.

As I mentioned, the story and its ending are predictable, but that is not a bad thing. It just reconfirms that life has its valleys and peaks, and in the end goodness wins out. All is well with the world.

My favorite quote from the book: "If it hadn't been for the darkness, I never would have known the light."

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You have to read this one. November 2, 2011

By DGlad

Format:Hardcover

Please note:
My reviews are being responded to by a negative reviewer saying I am suspicious and perhaps I am the author writing early reviews on B&N. I have been a long time fan of Richard Paul Evans. I am lucky to get to read his novels in advance. I am his assistant. This is my sincere review.

I picked up this book because I heard it was the retelling of the story of the prodigal son and I was curious to see how Richard Paul Evans would handle it. I was very happy that I did. This story kept me reading and evoked a lot of different emotions, from anger and frustration to forgiveness and joy. In the end I felt like I had become part of the story itself, welcoming Luke back. This wasn't just a great Christmas story, but a great story all year long.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Evans does it again November 3, 2011

By Lincoln Buff 2

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I first read Richard Paul Evans' work when he wrote the CHRISTMAS BOX, and occasionally picked up one of his books from time to time after that. He always pulled me right into his work and his characters seemed like someone I knew -- or someone I was or could have been. As I had more time to read, I discovered his WALK series and felt as if I were there with his characters each step of the way. I didn't want each book to end and can't wait for the future volumes.

LOST DECEMBER does the same thing. Luke Crisp could be any of us, making a wrong turn, then another and feeling so lost and alone we don't know if we can ever make our way home.

In this book we see people who represent the best of mankind -- and the worst of it. We see how each of them and their actions touches others -- yet, as we know it will in Evans' books, deep within its words is a love poured on the pages as only this author can. Another marvelous gift from this gifted scribe!