Rating: 
Summary: kind of like a long soap opera episode
Review: I think the above reviewer says it best when she points out that judging Evans by the standard of books that make you feel good, this is a good book. Judging him next to Hemingway, well that's another story. Let's start out with the positives: the plot is nice, the story is interesting and the book itself looks gorgeous. I have to admit that what I admire most about Evans isn't his ability to crank out an endless number of similar novels on inspirational themes, it's the fact that Simon and Schuster makes these books so inviting. The font is beautiful, the covers are attractive, the use of two color print draws you in and the jagged pages make the book even more attractive (I'm sure that has a name, but I don't know what they call those uneven-edged pages). I thought the Looking Glass was much better written than this one which was more straightforward.Evans is a solid writer of mass market mush, but you'll be none the worse for reading it. His books are written in such earnest that it makes you feel bad for trying to criticize or hold him up to more literary authors. A solid read.
Rating: 
Summary: For teens and thier parents
Review: I was fortunate to have my 19 year old son employed in my office this summer and given the 60 mile trip, we listened to Books on CD, first The Locket and then The Carousel, by Richard Paul Evans. We loved it so much, my son wants to write now as well as to "read" every book written by this sensitive author. His characters evoke our sympathies and love........ I cried, laughed and applauded while listening to these books. My son is going to the library to borrow "The Carousel" so that he can "write down the great quotes" that interested him in starting a journal. I will read everything for adults that he provides.
Rating:
Summary: For teens and thier parents
Review: I was fortunate to have my 19 year old son employed in my office this summer and given the 60 mile trip, we listened to Books on CD, first The Locket and then The Carousel, by Richard Paul Evans. We loved it so much, my son wants to write now as well as to "read" every book written by this sensitive author. His characters evoke our sympathies and love........ I cried, laughed and applauded while listening to these books. My son is going to the library to borrow "The Carousel" so that he can "write down the great quotes" that interested him in starting a journal. I will read everything for adults that he provides.
Rating:
Summary: Carousel rides with 'ups and downs' ...
Review: Like a ride on a carousel, the story deals with the unforeseen 'ups and downs' we are all faced with in a lifetime. It reveals how many of the characters struggle to conquer indecision, uncertainty, doubt and despair in their attempt to overcome the tough times. At the same time, the book delivers a hidden message illustrating how we as individuals can grow and actually become better people as a result of those unpleasant experiences that seemingly aim to rip our happy and peaceful lives to shreds. I've read all of Richard Paul Evans' books and this one is right up there on top. Many successful authors seem to rest on their laurels after a few best sellers and amazingly continue to sell books despite their lukewarm slipshod offerings. It is refreshing to note that Mr. Evans does not fall into this category. It's as though he becomes more seasoned and strives to improve with each novel he writes. Unlike some of his previous novels, he delves into many ugly issues and problems we are faced with in today's world -- for example, child abuse, suicide, AIDS, sexual harassment, and drug abuse. However, as in his prior books, the realities are exposed but without the unnecessary overuse of expletives and explicit graphic detail. The male protagonist, Michael Keddington, who was first introduced in The Locket, has a dream about his lovely girlfriend, Faye Murrow. In the dream she is on a carousel riding a handsome jeweled Arabian horse. 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. Michael is troubled by his haunting dream and wonders whether it was just that...a dream, or a portent of things to come. Prior to the two young lovers going their separate ways off to colleges 2000 miles apart, they decide to elope on the spur of the moment. From that time on they are faced with difficult challenges and a course of tragic circumstances that cut into their seemingly blissful relationship like a fresh wound. Many people of different walks of life and diverse backgrounds enter the scenario as if by destiny or fate. It shows how each helps the other in their own special way, whether by kind deeds, actions or words. My favorite passage reveals a thought provoking message so beautifully expressed and is found in the introduction to Chapter 13 -- "...we do not walk alone in this life. There are others, fellow sojourners, whose journeys are interwoven with ours in seemingly random patterns, yet in the end, have been carefully placed to reveal a remarkable tapestry. I believe God is the weaver of that loom." This illustrates that although there are times we would like it to be so, no man or relationship is an island. Clearly put, people do indeed need people! I highly recommend this book not only for an entertaining read but also for the inspirational powerful messages contained within the story that can be applied to our own lives.
Rating:
Summary: An inspirational love story......
Review: Michael and Faye are young lovers who decide to marry before going their seperate ways to college. There are many trials they go through regarding faithfulness, a runaway wife & child, an unexpected pregancy, a death in the family and so much more. Mr.Evans weaves all these elements into this tale of inspirational love. These are people the reader can relate to and feel for what they are going through. This is a charming little novel and would make an excellent TV movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Ups and Downs
Review: Michael and Faye's story began in another book and continued in this one is one that promises lasting love and emotion....hope even in the event of adversity...... Maybe it is idealistic for me to feel that "love conquers all" but having been married to my first and only husband for nearly thirty years and two children and two grandchildren, I KNOW that love does conquer all and that no matter what happens you can get past it and continue to live and be happy!!!
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite
Review: Once I started The Carousel I couldn't put it down. I will definitely read this one again. It was one of the best love story's I have ever read! It was a book that gave me hope even when life doesn't turn out the way we had planned. It teaches of love and forgiveness. One of the characters struggled with a similar challenge that I am faced with and I received strength and hope from how they faced their problem. Thank you Mr. Evans for touching my life in a very powerful way.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone has a Judy...
Review: One of the most important messages to me: Everyone has their Judy, another human being that may be a friend, your sister, a co-worker, or just someone who might have a question but ends up living with you because she needed a place to stay.
Rating:
Summary: Richard Paul Evans has done it again!!
Review: Richard Paul Evan's book tell the story of love, lost and found, forgotten and awakened. They each, to me, seem better than the first one and I found this book to be an absolutley amazing peice of literatue i will treasure for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: Another heartwarming read from Evans!
Review: Several years ago, Richard Paul Evans became known for his book The Christmas Box. In this short novel we are presented with the story of an elderly woman and her devotion to her family. Shortly thereafter, Evans followed this book with two ore about this woman and family in Timepiece and The Letter. Again readers were regaled the spirit of loyal relationships and caring individuals. Through the years and in future books, these values would become the benchmark of an Evans novel as they became a recurring theme. And this is certainly true of hsi most recent book, The Carousel. In this book we, as readers, learn more about Faye Morrow and Micheal Keddington whom we first met in The Locket. While The Carousel deals with loyalty, sacrifice, salvation and ultimately redemption, it is also a beautiful story of a great and abiding love between two people during a diffciult time. And while the storyline borders on sappy at times, the reader comes to love the characters of Michael, Faye, their friend Hallie and Sarah so much that even the predictable ending is overlooked. I do suggest that others read and take to heart Evans's words and views especailly when they think life has little left to offer them. And while it might be too late to purhcase this for the holdiay season of 2000, be sure and put it on your list for reader's for next year. It is perfect for the spirit of the holidays as are most of Richard Paul Evan's' books.
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