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THE SUNFLOWER By Richard Paul Evans
I should offer this disclaimer right up front – I am honored to consider Richard Paul Evans a friend. It would be impossible for me to criticize one of his works. Thank goodness I haven’t wanted to.
Yes – I’ve read every book Rick has ever written. I heard a woman describe his books as “comfort reads.” Yes, that’s true, but they’re more than that. Richard’s books are triumphant love stories. His characters are rich. They go through such challenges, such torment and indecision, and they come out the other side living with integrity and truth. I love that.
The Sunflower is the story of a young woman, Christine, who is jilted by her fiancé a week before her wedding. It is also the story of Paul, an ER doctor who goes to the jungle to escape the pain of losing one too many patients in the emergency room. The Sunflower refers to an orphanage in Peru where the lives of these two compelling characters intersect.
I have yet to make it through a Richard Paul Evans book without crying. I feel a little sappy admitting that, but it’s true. When his characters finally reach out for love, it touches me. Nobody writes that moment like Richard.
Will you forgive me if I admit that this was not my favorite of his books, largely because I did not enjoy the location in South America as much as I have some of his other settings? But having said that, if you are looking for a comfort read, there is none better. The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans. On the Book Beat for KSL Newsradio, I’m Amanda Dickson.
