Author: Richard Paul Evans
Published: 2009
Pages: 350
Genre: Fiction, Christmas
Rating: 3/5
Dear Reader,
When I was in seventh grade, my English teacher, Mrs. Johnson, gave our class the intriguing (if somewhat macabre) assignment of writing our own obituaries. Oddly, I don't remember much of what I wrote about my life, but I do remember how I died: in first place on the final lap of the Daytona 500. At the time, I hadn't considered writing as an occupation, a field with a remarkably low on-the-job casualty rate.
What intrigues me most about Mrs. Johnson's assignment is the opportunity she gave us to confront our own legacy. How do we want to be remembered? That question has motivated our species since the beginning of time: from building pyramids to putting our names on skyscrapers.
As I began to write this book, I had two objectives: First, I wanted to explore what could happen if someone read their obituary before they died and saw, firsthand, what the world really thought of them. Their legacy.
Second, I wanted to write a Christmas story of true redemption. One of my family's holiday traditions is to see a local production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. I don't know how many times I've seen it (perhaps a dozen), but it still thrills me to see the change that comes over Ebenezer Scrooge as he transforms from a dull, tight-fisted miser into a penitent, "giddy-as-aschoolboy" man with love in his heart. I always leave the show with a smile on my face and a resolve to be a better person. That's what I wanted to share with you, my dear readers, this Christmas -- a holiday tale to warm your season, your homes, and your hearts.
Reason I read this book: Read this book for a Holiday Reading challenge.
Thoughts: Like the other Evans book I read a few days ago, a nice light, Christmas read. Especially helps when one is waiting for a Harry Potter film and when the power goes out. While there is nothing revealing about the book other than a nice, light read, it is nice to read something like this when life gets a bit stressful and you feel like you are going crazy.
Bottom line: Just a nice read for when things are a little crazy.
4 comments:
Hi there, stopping by from the reading challenge. I looked at this one on Amazon to see if I might want to read it. great review!
my book blog: mykozykorner.blogspot.com
A great review - this sounds like a seasonal story that is just that little bit different, thanks for recommending it.
You can see my 2nd review for this challenge at
http://pettywitter.blogspot.com/2010/11/hogfather.html
If you'd like to join us you are more than welcome.
I read this for the Holiday Reading Challenge, too! Pretty much in one sitting! Modern day Scrooge, right? I could see this being made into a television movie too!
Julie @ Knitting and Sundries
Definitely sounds interesting. It will have to wait for next years challenge to be read though. I am throwing in the towel for this year.
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