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cdjdhj's review
2.0
I know this book got rave reviews a few years back. I found it an rather poor attempt at a heart-warming, tear-jerking Christmas tale. It was neither for me. Richard Paul Evans must suffer from depression because it is like he makes his books as bleak and depressing as possible and then tries to pull out some rather weak moral lesson at the end. I have read three of his books because they are everywhere, but I think I am done with him for a good long while.
utahmomreads's review
3.0
I read The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans yesterday afternoon. The best thing about it was that it was short. I feel a little like Elaine from Seinfeld when she hated the highly acclaimed "English Patient".
There must be something wrong with me. That's the only explanation, right?
Don't get me wrong. It's a sweet story. A sad story and a good reminder of what is really, truly important--especially at Christmas. I get the message. I gave my babies extra hugs last night.
So, maybe my real problem with the book is actually the length. There wasn't time to develop any of the characters very well. I don't care about them yet. It's hard to be too emotionally moved by a story if you just don't care about them.
There must be something wrong with me. That's the only explanation, right?
Don't get me wrong. It's a sweet story. A sad story and a good reminder of what is really, truly important--especially at Christmas. I get the message. I gave my babies extra hugs last night.
So, maybe my real problem with the book is actually the length. There wasn't time to develop any of the characters very well. I don't care about them yet. It's hard to be too emotionally moved by a story if you just don't care about them.
tori519's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mrsbrewcrew's review
4.0
After reading this book, I promptly went and snuggled with my 4-year-old. A good reminder of how blessed I am...
hnbb's review
4.0
This book is short, sweet and to the point. I enjoyed it better this time. (Last time I was a child.) There didn't need to be more books added to this one. It should stand alone and not be a series.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
The Christmas Box is about a young couple and their young daughter who move in with an elderly widow to help her out with light chores in exchange for rooms. Mary, the widow, becomes an adopted grandmother to them all and feels compelled to pass on wisdom she has gained with her years.
This was a nice, easy read (I literally read it in about an hour). The lightness of the story, though, masks the underlying lesson about the first gift of Christmas and the preciousness of time.
I would recommend this to anyone, but especially busy parents who are maybe starting to lose sight of what really matters to their children.
This was a nice, easy read (I literally read it in about an hour). The lightness of the story, though, masks the underlying lesson about the first gift of Christmas and the preciousness of time.
I would recommend this to anyone, but especially busy parents who are maybe starting to lose sight of what really matters to their children.
clareobrien92's review
2.0
overall this was a bummer and much too long for the message (could have been a magazine short story really) but it did get me to cry and I loved this quote:
"Because He loved His children and wanted them back"
"Because He loved His children and wanted them back"
the_enobee's review
2.0
The Christmas Box was okay. Obviously a tearjerker when we're talking about the loss of a child, especially around Christmas. And the story will make you want to give your kids a hug, so it can't be all bad. However, I did feel a bit manipulated and the plot and character reactions were fairly predictable. Not something I could recommend, but it is brief if you're thinking about giving it a read.