dramastef's Full Review: Richard Paul Evans - The Carousel: A Novel
At one time or another, most of the people who write reviews here at Epinions leave a comment saying something to the effect of Don't be discouraged by low ratings, we all got them at first. About a month ago, I was looking through my older ratings, and I couldn't believe just how bad they were, so I deleted them and thought I'd seen the last of them... enter sleeper54. He comes up with this great idea about a Re-Write Write-Off. So here I am, with the first of my two entries...
The Re-Written, Write-Off Review:
Ever since I first read The Christmas Box, I have been a big fan of Richard Paul Evans. I find his novels to be refreshing changes from a lot of fiction that I read. The characters often rely on prayer and God, they are faithful and monogamous, and true love prevails. I have come to expect these qualities in each new Evans novel, and was not disappointed after reading The Carousel.
Plot and Characters:
In The Carousel we learn more about Faye Morrow and Michael Keddington whom we first met in The Locket . In the beginning of the novel, Michael has a dream about his girlfriend, Faye, where she is on a carousel. On the first turn, she is smiling and happily waving to him while beckoning him to join her. On the second turn, she mysteriously vanishes from sight. The next day, the day before Faye departs for college 2000 miles away, she takes him for a picnic at a park with an old fashioned carousel. She tells him that she loves watching the predictable round and round, up and down movement and wished life could be so predictable. So in love, and so moved by emotion, the two decide to defy her father and elope. From that point on, the two are faced with a number of seemingly insurmountable road blocks and problems.
Michael, as the character who believes in God and love and life, refuses to give up on their relationship even after Faye throws it away. Meanwhile, in college, Faye has found the meaning of true sacrifice and love for someone other than herself with the help of a woman in need and her daughter. It is in this giving of herself that she was able to truly find herself, and in finding herself that she was able to find what her relationship with Michael really was.
Writing Style, Motif etc.:
Written in the first person from Michael's point of view, this style adds a personal touch that makes us love this sentimental character that much more. This novel was an extraordinarily quick read, beautiful prose.
The Carousel deals with loyalty, sacrifice, salvation and ultimately redemption, as well as a beautiful story of the trials and tribulations of love. In other words, it’s the truth of love, rather than the fairy tale we hear all too often. The story definitely crosses the line of sappy at times but I still found myself drawn to the story, to the characters.
The Author:
You can read more about Richard Paul Evans at his website: www.richardpaulevans.com. Seven of his books have become National Bestsellers, and I recommend all of his books without hesitation, even his latest, The Last Promise, which was just a cut under his previous novels.
My thoughts and Recommendations:
I would recommend this book not only for a good entertaining read, but for a message of inspiration and a story of conquering love. Real love, not just that Cinderella love we hear about all the time. While it definitely appeals more toward women and romantics, it is a nice story to read or listen to for any couple who has found truth of pain and difficulties after the honeymoon. And after you read it together, go and buy your significant other a Carousel to remind them of life’s ups and downs.
Go take a look at sleeper's write-off page (http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/sleeper54/rewrite/writers.html) with the links of other writer's who've decided to re-write some of their earlier horrors, I mean reviews.
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