A total of 15 million copies went over the counter. The book was also the basis for the film of the same name starring US actor and director Robert Redford.
Born in Worcestershire, England, Evans worked as a journalist before pursuing his career as a writer. He was also successful with his four other novels. He and his wife Charlotte had to cope with a stroke of fate when they suffered severe mushroom poisoning in 2008. Both then required a kidney transplant. Evans leaves behind his wife and their four children.
