The Carousel

The Locket Trilogy #3

by Richard Paul Evans

This is the love story of Michael Keddington and Faye Murrow, a love story that takes place not in seclusion but in the real world, with the challenges that all lovers must face. No relationship is an island: There are threads that bind us all and pull at our lives -- the demands of family, of friends, of work, and social obligation. And there are times that the pull of those threads becomes greater than the strength of the relationship. In these times, no matter how much two people love each other, a relationship must grow strong or be torn apart. "The Carousel" is about what happens when life doesn't turn out the way that we planned. Beyond a love story, it is about faith, loyalty, and sacrifice.

My hope is that you, and those with whom you share this book, might find the message of this story meaningful and applicable to your own life.

And that in some way you might feel changed.


Sincerely,

Richard Paul Evans

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Christmas, Christian Fiction, Chick Lit, Adult Fiction, Inspirational

333 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

When Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author. His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. He has since written eleven consecutive New York Times bestsellers. He is one the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won several awards for his books including the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. His books have been translated into more than 22 languages and several have been international best sellers.

Reviews

[J.S. Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evans’ writing is not flowery or poetical. Yet he is an absolute master at evoking empathy & emotion for the characters in the reader!

[Katie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story reminded me of how hard life can be sometimes and how it can tear people apart or bring people together. It reminded me how much we need God and how much we need friends/family, the people who love us and support us. Some parts of life don't have a happy ending, but it helps to know that we're in it together and that in the end love ultimately wins. I especially liked this quote about carousels:

"She smiled in remembrance. 'I still come here a lot. Whenever life gets overwhelming I just sit here and watch it go around. It takes me back to when the most difficult decision I had was figuring out how to make the quarters last until Dad came back. [...] Maybe I like carousels because they're so constant. They always go to the same place. And they never change. You know, I've probably ridden every animal on there."

God is like that for me--the constant in my life whenever I am overwhelmed or life gets stormy. God is my refuge, my solid rock, my fortress, my strength, my comforter, my anchor, my firm foundation. God is the same yesterday, and today, and tomorrow. Everything else in my life can change in an instant but God is always the same and will always be there for me. I know that I am never alone and that I will always be loved.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful conclusion to Richard Paul Evans "The Locket" series. Once again the main characters are Michael Keddington and Faye Murrow, two young people in love. Both are headed off to more college: Michael to get his law degree and Faye to become a doctor. But their colleges are states apart and they will be separated for 4 years. They make a decision that will change their lives forever and consequences will result from that choice that will effect both their lives.

Richard Paul writes wonderful romantic fiction that is filled with a faith thread. Through all their ups and downs, Michael and Faye learned many important life lessons that made them each stronger and that lead to a greater appreciation of one another.

This is a series that is best read in order. Highly recommend.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ending to a great series! This one, for me, was the harder book to put down out of all three of the books. This one seemed to have more humor but also more drama in it. Plus a few plot turns. I am left wishing there was another book or two, or ten to follow this. I would say "Read it!" You won't be sorry.

At first I wondered what book #2 (The Looking Glass) had to do with books #1 and #3, other than it teaches the reader of the beginning of Bethel town. But upon further pondering, I realized there are similarities between the two main characters, Michael and Hunter. They both are dealt a bad hand of cards from life (depression, losing wives, suicide, false accusations, etc.etc.), but they both learn that even while we have some terrible things happen in life, life is still worth living, and still offers us a richness, a hope, a happiness in life that can come in no other way but by living life - right up to the end, no matter how slow or fast that end comes! Pushing through the hard times, and taking time to enjoy the good times. It is all in out attitude!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heartwarming homerun, as always, from Richard Paul Evans. The third and final book of the Locket trilogy. This book goes back to Faye and Michael, two of the main characters in the Locket, and continues their story. Life usually doesn't turn out as you planned, the trick is in how you handle the curve balls, the ups and downs and round and rounds….like a carousel.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently, this is part of a series, but I hadn't read the earlier ones, and I still enjoyed this book. The dynamics of the main characters and their families rang true to life--the ones you think might have the best lives still have their problems. It was another tear-jerker, but it wasn't as predictable as some of the books, so I did enjoy it and thought it was very well-written.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this trilogy.

[Bonnie Dieffenbacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good book, but a lot of sadness. Still, it was a good read.

[Danielle Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy his books at Christmas time

[Sarah Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the Locket Trilogy and it was a wonderful set of stories. Beautiful writing and a perfect time of the year to read them. I thought it was a good way to end my reading year even though I did not reach my goal. Too many jigsaw puzzles took up my reading time.

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars! So many hard things, but Richard’s books always had a ray of hope in the dark. I loved the ending.

[Cinderella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing story of Micheal and Faye from the Locket. Their roller coaster
relationship, and the people they help along the way.
A great read!

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally I like Richard Paul Evans' books. I'm coming to realize, though, that they are a bit of a conundrum for me. I spend much of each book depressed and sad about the terrible things that are happening to the main character, only to be totally turned around in the last 30 pages of the book and left happy and thrilled for the good ending. I'm not sure the last 30 minutes are worth the 3-4 hours of sadness. Sometimes it feels to me like the guy was repeatedly pounding his head against a tree. When asked why he was doing that, he replied, "because it feels so good when I stop." That was what reading The Carousel was like. Nonetheless, I found some thoughts worth of pondering:

1. "It is possible to learn more about compassion in one quiet act of selflessness than in a hundred fiery sermons." Agreed!
2. "Nowhere is our vision more distorted than when we turn it on ourselves." Yup, that one resonates with me too.
3. "If variety is the spice of life, routine is the bread of it." Never heard that thought before, but it is certainly true in my life. I like occasional interludes of "spice" -- travel, new projects, etc., but most of the time, I appreciate a life bounded by routine. One semester in college, I had tuna & noodle casserole every night for the entire semester. By the end...I still liked it and could have kept up the routine. I truly am a creature of habit and routine, I suppose.
4. "I have come to believe that 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 beenc arefully placed to reveal a remarkable tapestry. I believe God is the weaver at that loom." Me too...I have been blessed tremendously by some of those fellow sojourners. I hope that I have been able to do the same for some others.
5. "Though adversity is the fertile soil in which the human spirit best grows, we loathe it still. I do not see how it can be otherwise, for no rational being seeks out pain and misfortune. Still, I cannot help but wonder if it is not somehow wrong to enjoy the fruit of the tree but curse the tree." Indeed.
6. "There would be less suffering in this world if humanity would learn this one truth: It is not what we receive but what we give that heals us." An important truth, and one I must often learn anew.

And my favorite...

7. "I have come to believe that the defining moments of most lives are not acts of courage or greatness, rather they are the simple acts: expressions of virtue or vice that are tossed carelessly like seeds from a farmer's hand, leaving their fruits to be revealed at a future date."

To me, the most profoundly important moments are those that occur one on one, one heart ot another, one need met by another, one sorrow assuaged, one expression of love and caring to another human being. We best live our lives not in programs or institutions, but heart to heart, hand to hand, in service to one another. I'm glad to see another book that reinforces that message, even if it was a little bludgeon-like.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thinking this book should've been called "The Roller Coaster"! So many twists, turns, flipping upside down emotions. And, as always in a book by Richard Paul Evans, important life lessons. Be kind, generous, compassionate, understanding, patient, humble. This is the only way to really live.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story (a continuation from his book, The Locket) which will touch your heart as it did mine.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a gift. It was a quick, easy read during which I routinely stopped to ask myself “why am I reading this?” I have never read any of the other RPE books. I don’t understand why the chapters start with a random quote from the protagonist’s diary with no other mention whatsoever about him keeping a diary and the quotes seeming far more poignant than anything else in the book. This is the kind of book where a story is told to you, rather than you being able to reflect on emotions and actions.
There were multiple plot points that did not make any sense to me. The fact that Hallie was willing to just give up her daughter, Sarah, seemed completely unrealistic. I didn’t see the point in Jayne’s suicide other than to make something really bad happen that did not seem to alter the course of the book. There was not a lot of character development, so it was hard for me to get too sad when she committed suicide anyway.

[Rhonda B · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several things likable about this book and a dislike. First, I LOVE the 5" x 7" size of Richard's books. So easy to hold and stash in my purse for easy carry. The second is the little quips from the characters journal at the beginning of each chapter, as in "There would be less suffering in this world if humanity would learn this one truth: It is not what my we receive but what we give that heals us". Powerful words!

Typical feel-good story line for Richard about a love that has a bit of turbulence to it but ultimately survives. BUT, and here is the dislike, I got lost in a side tract adventure of the main character into his work life at a nursing home. It is needed to build his life outside his main relationship but a bit more in-depth than needed. This is my dislike and the reason for not a 5 star review.

[Kayrene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't think The Carousel would be one of my faves from RPE, but I do love his writing, so this is a pass for me. I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the first two (have I?), not sure. MK character seemed familiar so maybe I've read one of the earlier ones. I just think maybe just some tough subject matter in this story; especially the first event chronologically. Tough to hear about. But, love RPE, no doubt, and I'm glad I read this.

[Cortney Nadig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Richard Paul Evans. His books are so easy to get through and so uplifting. There are always trials and yet you put the book down satisfied and eager to fight any battles you might have of your own. Once I pick one of his books up, I can't put it down until I am finished.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Paul Richard Evans. Very inspirational.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed tissues several times today as I read this. Loved it!

[Neil Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors. I wouldn't say this was my favorite of his books, but it was still quite good. Evans has a gift for getting you involved in the lives and minds of his characters. His books are always inspirational, but they also have their harsh elements to them. I think this story had more than its fair share of tragedy, from Jayne's suicide to Faye's miscarriage to Hallie and her daughter Sarah, on the run from a horrible ex-husband who was a pedophile. This is not necessarily light reading. But it is real and heart-felt.

I kind of have a beef with how this story ended. All through the book, I found Faye to be an extremely selfish and unlikable character. Michael is such a good guy, and he's so devoted to her and would do anything for her. She doesn't deserve him. Though she claims to love Michael, she is unwilling to stand up to her dad for him. Instead, she makes him secretly elope with her, then moves away to school, gladly taking daddy's money that would otherwise not be available if she divulged her marriage to Michael. He repeatedly offers to move out to Baltimore to be with her, yet she refuses him. She wallows in misery about her sister Jayne's suicide, completely ignoring the fact that Michael was also close to Jayne and might also be hurting. She sees her pregnancy as a mere inconvenience to her school plans. Then, she wallows in her own pain after the miscarriage, again ignoring Michael's pain. And, in the end, this woman who supposedly loves Michael just kicks him to the curb because she can't deal with the pressures of being married. And, worst of all, after he drives multiple days to see her, an act that most women would swoon over, she again rebuffs him and leaves him to be beaten by the dorm security guards.

I so wanted Michael to get together with Blythe. She was as kind and selfless as Faye was cruel and selfish. Not only that, she had so much more in common with Michael than did Faye, who was basically a rich, spoiled princess. I felt so bad for Blythe, because she truly did love Michael and would have been so good for him. Why Michael went back to Faye after all she did to him was a mystery to me. I suppose that Faye somewhat redeemed herself by taking on her friend Hallie's daughter Sarah and helping Hallie get her life back on track. But if Faye was willing to take a break from school and stand up to her father for the sake of Hallie and her daughter Sarah, why wasn't she willing to do so for Michael? I suppose Michael was such a good guy that he was willing to forgive Faye for everything and take her back, but in the real world, nobody would take the abuse that Faye had given Michael and still be able to maintain the love they had once had, especially with a desirable and much more worthy alternative like Blythe waiting in the wings.

Anyway, that's my two cents worth. Kudos to Evans for creating characters that I became so emotionally invested in. He's a great writer and, regardless of my opinions about the ending of this book, this is a great story. It's certainly one that keeps your attention riveted until the very end.

[Kym McNabney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have suddenly become a huge RICHARD PAUL EVANS fan. First the CHRISTMAS BOX, then LOST DECEMBER, and now THE CAROUSEL. To say that I am in love and in awe of MR. EVANS writing is an understatement.

I would say that I have pretty high standards when it comes to telling a story, being a writer myself. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to accomplish what I believe to be great writing, but that does not mean I don’t recognize it in others. There are many great editors that do not have the knack for writing, but have the talent to identify a great story, and edit it to near perfection.

My joy and strength is not in writing what a story is about, but rather to identify the author’s ability to tell a story. MR. EVANS has a way of spinning a tale that will leave you feeling as though you stepped into the pages, forgetting there is a living world around you.

I LOVE the quotes before each chapter. They alone would make a great book. I LOVE the depth of his plots, the way he weaves a message of life lessons in a subtle yet powerful way. You can’t help put fall in love with the characters, and he has a way of not producing the expected in the traditional way. I foresee reading many more stories by this amazing writer.

From Amazon:

From bestselling author Richard Paul Evans, the final chapter of the love story that began in THE LOCKET. Richard Paul Evans, bestselling author of the beloved classic THE CHRISTMAS BOX and THE LOOKING GLASS returns to the unfinished story of Faye Murrow and Michael Keddington in a tale that will delight and inspire new readers, as well as Evans' established legions of loyal fans.
Amazon.com Review:
Michael Keddington and Faye Murrow are young lovers who marry on the eve of Faye's departure for medical school. While the bonds of matrimony and faith pull them together, the troubles of the real world do sunder: disapproving parents, work demands, distance, death, and an unplanned pregnancy. As in his earlier novel, The Christmas Box, nostalgia and emotion run unchecked, to the delight of most readers.
This is not the great American novel, but Evans never pretends that it is, he only hopes that you "might find the message of this story meaningful and applicable to your own life." If that is the standard, most readers should be satisfied.--Nancy R.E. O'Brien

[Jeanine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was a good story, but I didn't love it.
Firstly, I got this book for free, when leaving a used book store. I knew nothing about this author or even that this book was the third in a trilogy. Though it was fine as a stand-alone book, I think I may have enjoyed it more if I had first read the other 2 books. I may have felt more for the characters & understood them better.

However, it was a good weekend book, & the small size of the book added to the enjoyment. I did like the quotes that were at the beginning of each chapter, too.

There is a lot of sadness in this book, a lot of family drama. For some situations, such as the waitress with her child, I felt the story should have been drawn out a lot more. Trying to be a bit vague as to not give anything away, let me just say that that it seemed to be one situation, then all of a sudden, we're at a completely different place, with everything in the middle left to one's imagination. I would have liked to read a fuller story about how that part of the book progressed.

I don't think I will go back to read the first two books. However, if you are thinking about reading this book, maybe start with book number one. You may enjoy the overall story more than I did. :)

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book from the Locket trilogy. I am probably missing something, but I don't see how book #2 plays in with books one and three, except for the general location.

Faye and Michael are back to center stage in this book. Faye is off to Baltimore for her first year of medical school and Michael is working in a senior care center and finishing his undergrad in Utah. They really want their relationship to work despite the distance and Faye's father. Dr. Murrow hates Michael and thinks Faye can do so much better than Michael.

This book follows the ups and downs of their relationship and their individual lives throughout this time. A carousel is used as a metaphor for their relationship and their lives. Really this is a good metaphor for what everyone goes through in their lives. Lots of ups and downs as we travel around the circle of life.

Evans tells a good story. It is an enjoyable read. Lots of side issues that are raised that we all face from time to time. You will enjoy it. Make sure you read The Locket, which is the first book of the trilogy. The second book, The Looking Glass, isn't really necessary.

[Mickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'm getting to the point where I've read too many Richard Paul Evans books. I enjoy them all, and they basically all have a happy ending, but this one was a little too painful in arriving there. The book is the third of a trilogy, but I found the trilogy rather disjoint. "The Locket" was a charming story of Michael Keddington and his relationships with elderly residents of the senior care facility where he works. "The Looking Glass" stepped back in time about a century, and completely different main characters. At the beginning of "The Carousel," we're back with Michael, only this time the story revolves around him and his girlfriend/fiancee/wife, with whom he secretly elopes at the beginning of the book. Faye is on her way to graduate school clear across the country, Faye's father disapproves of Michael as a potential son-in-law, but Michael and Faye reason that getting married will cement them together as the geographic distance between them separates them.

I thought there was just too much death and sadness in this book. Michael is close to Faye's sister Jayne, who has issues. Jayne ends up committing suicide, and everyone blames him- or herself for not having been able to reach Jayne and give her the self-assurance that would have prevented the suicide.

Faye ends up pregnant, and loses her baby. She deals with this herself, and doesn't even tell Michael.

Faye is drawn to a down-on-her-luck waitress named Judy and her daughter. She doesn't understand why she cares so much about them, but I found this aspect of the story to be the most redeeming.

Michael gives Faye a little carousel early on in the book, and Evans uses the carousel as a metaphor to express that life has ups and downs, but still ends up on course.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, although the beginning was a bit slow. I liked the ending of Michael and Faye getting back together. I still think that Faye was still a spoiled brat but she came to her senses near the end of the book, I know she suffer two terrible heartache of losing her sister and the reason she was willing to throw her marriage away.
Her father Mr. Morrow was certainly no help. He didn't give Michael a chance, I had that happen to me. It is an awful feeling when someone doesn't like you before they know you.
I think if I re-read these books, I will read the books in this order:
1. The Looking Glass
2. The Locket
3. The Carousel
It feels like that is the order they should be in.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final installment of The Locket triology entitled The Carousel by Richard Paul Evans is perhaps the best of the three books in this series. This book returns to lives of Michael Keddington and his love interest Faye Murrow. The contents of this particular book consider the subjects of, but not limited to, elopement, unplanned pregnancy, multiple sclerosis, suicide, custody battles, forbidden love and incest. Even though I do consider it the best of the three and it does have a strong romantic theme, I would not recommend this reading for anyone younger than eighteen years of age.

[Laura Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story that seems so real and exposes the ups and downs of love as well as the trials and tribulations. Michael and Faye are in love and she is leaving for med school so decide to get married before she leaves and keep it a secret. Then real life sets in and the hardships begin. Their love is tested and fails for a time but in the end true love wins. Life is like a carousel at times and other times it isn't but life still goes on. As always Richard Paul Evans touches your heart and makes you think about life .

[Lisa Moncur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the humanity in Richard Paul Evans’ books. He has a way of capturing his characters’ lives that allows you to walk around in their shoes for a while and experience their joys and pains in a way that leaves you changed because of it. I loved this book. It was a bit dramatic, but that’s what makes it exciting makes you keep reading. I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen or who Michael was going to choose in the end because it was written so empathetically and in the moment.

Well done, Richard Paul Evans. This is why I keep reading your books!