A Perfect Day (Hardcover)

by Richard Paul Evans (Author) "It's Christmas night..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Salt Lake, New Year (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
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.

From Booklist
The author of The Christmas Box (1994) offers up another sweet tale about the importance of love and family. Robert Harlan isn't completely happy with his job selling radio advertising time, but he's hoping to get a promotion that will at least give him a sense of accomplishment. Robert is stunned when, instead of getting the promotion, he's summoned into his boss' office and fired. Robert agonizes over how he is going to provide for his wife, Allyson, and daughter, Carson. Allyson offers to get a job while Robert pursues his dream of finishing his novel. He takes her up on it, and when finished, sends it out to a slew of agents. The rejections start pouring in, and a dejected Robert goes to work for his brother's sprinkler company. And then an agent contacts Robert, certain she can sell his book. It ends up on the best-seller lists, and Robert is asked to appear on television and at celebrity functions. This doesn't sit too well with Allyson, who feels as though she's losing her husband to the fervor surrounding his book. Evans draws from his own knowledge of being catapulted into best-sellerdom in this moving tale of a man who finds success and then discovers that other things in his life may be more important. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult (September 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525947655
• ISBN-13: 978-0525947653
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #547,548 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be Careful What You Wish For!, April 12, 2004

By	Nancy R. Katz "NancyK18" (NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect in every way, May 13, 2006

By	Jackie St Hilaire "Memere Jackie" (Manchester, NH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Perfect Day (Hardcover)

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".

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Meaning of A Perfect Day, September 29, 2003

By	Kelly Williams (Arizona) - See all my reviews

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.