Finished 12-24-11, rating 3.5/5, fiction, 180 pages. pub. 2011
Don’t you feel it? Christmas is the force field of heightened possibility. It’s not about religion, those myths we were brought up with are only tools to direct us toward the mystery of the under self. It’s about the ecstatic visualization of psychic world is calling us toward balanced consciousness. Don’t you feel that? There is a lightness and spontaneity that is struggling to get through all the commercial static and leads us out of our linear consciousness into a global wholeness, don’t you?”
Chapter 17
James Sparrow is a very rich man with a pump handle obsession who hates Christmas. His wife, Joyce (James & Joyce, cute right?) is a graceful woman who loves all things Christmas and would celebrate all year long if she could. James is preparing to fly to Hawaii for the holiday when he receives a call from his cousin in North Dakota that his Uncle Earl is dying. Seeing that Uncle Earl was the only good thing about his childhood, James charters his private jet to Looseleaf for a quick visit before continuing on to the warm beaches of Hawaii. Only the spiritual powers in North Dakota have conspired to ground this modern day Scrooge until he learns to make peace with Christmas.
Once I looked at this book as a modern take on A Christmas Carol I enjoyed it much more. At first the talking wolf and dream sequences put me off a bit when I was expecting a nice, sweet holiday read. I’ve never read Keillor so I didn’t know what to expect and while I enjoyed this holiday story I won’t be rushing out to read more.
Checked this book out of the library.
Stacy's Books 
I’ve never heard of this book, but you’ve made me want to read it! Thanks, Stacy. Joyous holidays to you and yours!
I started reading/listening to this book but gave up on it. Now I see I should have had more patience. The audio was read by Garrison Keilor and I liked that. Okay, next year. Merry Christmas Stacy to you, your husband and that precious baby.
Interesting – I had no idea he had a book like that! And a Merry Christmas to you and your adorable family!!!
I read The Prairie Home Companion and didn’t love it like everyone else seemed to, so I haven’t looked for anymore of Keillor’s work. I think this is the first time in years I haven’t read a Christmas book. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Sounds like a great holiday read. I have never tried this author.
Happy Holidays to you and Yours Stacy.
Merry Christmas!
You’ve been on a reading roll!!!
Merry Christmas, Stacy!! Hope the day brings wonderful times with family!!
As the literary giant Opus once quoth, “Hairy Fishnuts!”
You’ve got mail. And a text.
I tend to like Garrison Keilor. I may have to pick this up next year.
I just finished this book. PIcked it up at the grocery store because it had a pretty cover and said the word “Christmas” (I’m a sucker.) But I really didn’t like it. It started out well, but like you, I thought it began to derail with the talking wolf. I soldiered on and finished, but didn’t really get enough of the “Christmas Carol” vibe to make me like it. Good to know someone else struggled also.
I so get the “modern retelling” part just from the blurb…it instantly jumped into my mind. I am not a big christmas story reader (my mother is mad keen and reads enough at Christmas for both of us). I am not sure why I dont read Christmas books, I just never have. Weird. Maybe next year I should give one a bash 🙂