Robert Harlan has three loves in his life: his wife, Allyson; his daughter, Carson; and his writing. He has hopes of one day having a successful writing career. When he is unexpectedly laid off from his job, Allyson encourages him to pursue his dream of writing. He writes a novel entitled A Perfect Day, based on the last few months Allyson and her father spent together as he died of cancer.
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Almost 10 years ago, Evans's first novel, The Christmas Box, became an enormous bestseller, thrusting him into the international spotlight. In his present novel, good guy protagonist Robert Harlan writes a novel titled A Perfect Day, about his wife, Allyson, and her relationship with her beloved father. The book comes out to popular acclaim, rockets up the charts and thrusts Robert into a new life of fame and fortune. An extended book tour, constant interviews, the adulation of millions of women, and a greedy Hollywood agent soon begin to erode his perfect marriage to the patient, loving, beautiful Allyson. There have been other books about authors self-destructing after great success-Youngblood Hawke by Herman Wouk, to name a notable example-but it's a story that seems timeless, still able to enthrall readers. Evans freshens the material by bringing in a hipster angel with attitude ("Actually, angel folklore is the height of nonsense, right up there with the Easter Bunny") and some bad news for Robert: in 40 days he's going to die. Robert begins to see his life in a new light, realizing that his pre-fame love for his wife and daughter is what he has wanted all along. But is it too late? Robert learns man's purpose on earth ("It's about learning how to love") and returns to hearth and home, hoping Allyson will take him back before he dies. The inevitable twist is clever, the writing throughout assured, the sentiment unapologetic and the author confident that he knows just what his readers want and that he's the man to give it to them. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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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.
Richard Paul Evans in his newest book, A Perfect Day, has written a title which will appeal to his old and new readers alike. Some will also recall Evans's rise to fame with the enormous popularity of his first book, The Christmas Box, which was self published for family and friends. The book was also made into a TV movie starring Richard Thomas and Maureen O'Hara. Evans also recently chronicled the history of The Christmas Box recently in his book called The Christmas Box Miracle which for his previous readers showed a glimpse into a writer's struggle and what appears to be overnight fame. Readers of a Perfect Day, therefore, should not be surprised if they consider that this book may not seem either coincidental or a thinly veiled autobiography when remembering back to Evan's Life.
Robert is a young man when he meets and marries the woman of his dreams. early in their married life Robert works at various jobs while his wife Allyson cares for their daughter and home. In his free time Robert pursues his dream by writing what he hopes one day will be a best-selling novel. Success does come finally but at a bitter price when Robert finds himself on endless book tours and sending less and less time at home. Although very lonely, Robert does respond positively to the many new people he meets. The temptation of a beautiful woman and the lure of a movie deal may threaten both his marriage and the very ideals and values he once had. Then Robert meets a man with almost mystical qualities who not only knows all about him but also predicts his imminent death. Who is this man and how will Robert settle his life if in fact he only has a matter of days left to him.
Although I did find the ending somewhat predictable, I also felt that the author provided a good journey. I also found the characters enjoyable and wondered how people who do achieve great success aren't blinded by the lights of fame and fortune.
While I hoped this book would be as inspirational as the titles from The Christmas Box Trilogy, I did think A Perfect Day was a good read. Despite that a similar theme has filled countless other books notably You Can't Go Home Again and Youngblood Hawke, it did teach me once again valuable lessons about the true meaning of love and success. As I usually do after reading Evans's newest book, I look forward to the next one.
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Richard Paul Evans in his book "A Perfect Day" gives us all food for thought.
What is the true meaning of life? What brings us to "A Perfect Day"?
This story brings to life all that matters to living a fruitful, peaceful existence but not without pain and suffering.
Our egoistic nature is very limited to what is "real" about ourselves and others. We need to let go of our own ego and look with different eyes at the world around us and the people we come in contact with but most especially our inner self.
Storytelling is a gift and Evans knows how to send out his message. He is one of God's messengers. Like Jesus, Evans gives us the true meaning of life in story form, it eases the pain as we look into ourselves and discover the truth of our being. His characters are human, vulnerable and most of all as real as anyone of us reading this story.
"A Perfect Day" is a book that can lead you to your deepest emotions. A must read for all of us who are searching for the truth and trying to live it "one day at a time".
If we are not in touch with our inner selves we cannot be in touch with each other.
In the end this is what makes or breaks us on the way to "A Perfect Day".
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This book is extraordinary. It's a must read for the season. This story takes your emotions on a roller-coaster. The charaters are so well developed you feel like you know them personally. This book is not only entertaining but also makes readers put their life in perspective and think about the real things that matter in life. Plan on reading the last half of the book with a box of tissues.
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