Mary M. (emeraldfire) -
Helpful Score: 2
In 1967, on the eve of his daughter's wedding, a man reflects on his memories of her childhood as well as the gift that his one time employer has bequeathed to him to give to her. Nineteen years previously, only eleven days before her death, a loving widow named MaryAnne Parkin had gifted a beautiful rose-gold wristwatch to her household caretaker, Richard. She had only one request: that he give the beautiful heirloom to his then toddler daughter on the day before he would give her away. At the time, he is puzzled by her simple request, yet deeply touched by her kindness.
The story of how the wristwatch came to belong to MaryAnne, forms the basis of Timepiece - the prequel to Richard Paul Evans' heartwarming holiday classic, The Christmas Box. In 1908-era Salt Lake City, Utah, millionaire businessman and avid collector of clocks, David Parkin hires one MaryAnne Chandler - originally from England - to be his secretary. Thoughtful and sensitive David is the owner of the highly successful Parkin Machinery Co., and the spirited and spunky MaryAnne will someday become his wife.
Fragments of David's journal highlight this tale of the couple's courtship, marriage, and the development of their family. The elegantly fashionable rose-gold wristwatch was originally bequeathed to David's friend Lawrence Flake, a black man who repairs clocks. This priceless heirloom eventually passes into David's possession through a series of events which culminates in an horrific family tragedy.
In the devastating aftermath of such a tragedy, David and MaryAnne will each discover the extraordinary healing power of love, loyalty and forgiveness. Their shared experiences will ultimately prove that even in our darkest moments, we are still capable of shining the brightest light, demonstrating the incredible strength and remarkable resilience of the human spirit while revealing the best qualities of humanity; even as we suffer unspeakable cruelty.
I actually didn't think that I was going to enjoy this book quite as much as I did. However, I found the story to be extremely evocative and poignant. I found that the characters were very believable and I truly connected with them as they went through their various trials and tribulations. I would give this book a definite A!
The story of how the wristwatch came to belong to MaryAnne, forms the basis of Timepiece - the prequel to Richard Paul Evans' heartwarming holiday classic, The Christmas Box. In 1908-era Salt Lake City, Utah, millionaire businessman and avid collector of clocks, David Parkin hires one MaryAnne Chandler - originally from England - to be his secretary. Thoughtful and sensitive David is the owner of the highly successful Parkin Machinery Co., and the spirited and spunky MaryAnne will someday become his wife.
Fragments of David's journal highlight this tale of the couple's courtship, marriage, and the development of their family. The elegantly fashionable rose-gold wristwatch was originally bequeathed to David's friend Lawrence Flake, a black man who repairs clocks. This priceless heirloom eventually passes into David's possession through a series of events which culminates in an horrific family tragedy.
In the devastating aftermath of such a tragedy, David and MaryAnne will each discover the extraordinary healing power of love, loyalty and forgiveness. Their shared experiences will ultimately prove that even in our darkest moments, we are still capable of shining the brightest light, demonstrating the incredible strength and remarkable resilience of the human spirit while revealing the best qualities of humanity; even as we suffer unspeakable cruelty.
I actually didn't think that I was going to enjoy this book quite as much as I did. However, I found the story to be extremely evocative and poignant. I found that the characters were very believable and I truly connected with them as they went through their various trials and tribulations. I would give this book a definite A!
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