Book Review –The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans
A Story of Love and Adventure
The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans is the story of a woman, Christine, who has recently had her heart broken. She is motivated by her best friend, Jessica, to visit Peru on a ten day humanitarian mission. The mission includes, among other things, community work at an elementary school and an orphanage. Christine reluctantly agrees to embark upon the journey, hoping to heal her broken heart. The trip turns out to be more than she had bargained for.
Christine meets Paul, a fellow American who runs an orphanage in Peru. Paul also came to Peru for reasons similar to her own, but stayed on when he saw that the orphanage needed someone to run it. She becomes closely attached to some of the children at the orphanage and also to Paul. He takes her on an adventure through the jungles of Peru, which includes activities like crocodile hunting and camping out.
Literary Style and Theme of The Sunflower
The story is written in a beautiful, poetic style and has a theme that appeals to both the adventurous at heart and also to the sentimental, romantic reader. The story is set in a world that is very different from the one that the average reader lives in, both geographically and culturally. It provides an insight into a different culture and a different world, in a way that the reader can almost see the locals in their colorful quechuan costumes, smell the tea made from the coca leaves and taste the cuy, a Peruvian dish made from fried guinea pig.
The events and circumstances in the story are often deeply touching and teach the readers a thing or two about putting their problems into perspective by familiarizing them with circumstances much worse than their own. The whole idea of moving past one’s own misery by helping other, less privileged people, has also been put across well.
About the Author, Richard Paul Evans
Richard Paul Evans is The New York Times bestselling author of various books, including The Christmas Box, his first novel. He has also written a number of children’s books. Many of his books have been turned into popular movies.
He is also the founder of The Christmas Box House International, a foundation devoted to providing shelter for orphaned or abused children. The foundation has set up shelters in Moab, Vernal, Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah and Lucre, Peru. The author himself lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children.
Peruvian Woman in Quechuan Costume
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