Title: An Unexpected Life
Author: Evelyn Parker
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-5320-8869-8
Genre: Memoir
Pages: 76
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
Pacific Book Review
An Unexpected Life is a sweet look at a woman’s life through nature. Evelyn Parker has
written a memoir that will inspire readers.
An Unexpected Life is the story of Evelyn Parker and her husband, Joe. She details the
life they lived in various small towns in the South and the animals they encountered
around their homes in Arkansas and Florida. Parker explains how she and Joe had to
battle a dangerous snake that threatened them. Parker also recounts close encounters
with spiders that took over their home. She also shares heartwarming stories about they
nursed sick hummingbirds back to health and took care of rabbits as well.
In addition to Parker’s positive adventures with animals, she recounts nature’s wrath as
well. She writes about how her family survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992 while they
lived in Florida. Parker also recalls how she and Joe went back to school to improve
their lives. Even though they were of retirement age, they both returned to school and
obtained their college degrees.
In addition to their triumphs, Parker details how she survived her own health challenges
and Joe’s debilitating strokes. She also showed mercy to people that burglarized their
home through her Christian faith. Parker not only talks about faith, she shows it through
her kindness to those who have wronged her. An Unexpected Life also beautifully
details how nature and people can co-exist.
Parker’s writing is so homespun and relatable that readers will feel they’re in the heart
of the Ozarks with copperhead snakes or in Florida with flamingos and bluebirds. In
addition to writing about the animals in her life, her love for Joe and their love for each
other is evident in the book. As they take care of animals and their home, Joe and
Evelyn also take care of each other. Through all their challenges, they still managed to
persevere.
An Unexpected Life would be best for readers who want to learn more about nature.
The book would also be best for readers who liked Marley and Me or A Dog’s Purpose
will enjoy An Unexpected Life as well. Readers who want to read about people who love
to travel or make great changes later in life.
An Unexpected Life is a heartwarming and inspiration memoir that will resonate with
readers. Through stories about nature, Parker shows that even when life takes unexpected turns, it can still reap great rewards.
