Blue Christmas by Various Authors
by Jenners • 12/09/2011 • 3.5 Stars, B Titles, Fiction, Short Stories, V Authors • 34 Comments
Blue Christmas: Holiday Stories for the Rest of Us edited by John DufrensePublisher: B&B Press, 2011
Pages: 224
Genre: Fiction, Short Stories
Where I Got It: Received a PDF file from a publicist
Why I Read It: Since losing my mom last year two days before Christmas, I dread the upcoming holiday season and this collection of stories seemed like it would fit my “anti-holiday” mood
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Book Description
From the Publisher: Edited by award-winning novelist John Dufresne, Blue Christmas is a collection of 17 original stories written by some of today’s finest contemporary authors exploring a variety of Christmas experiences. These storytellers know the truth: Christmas isn’t idyllic for everyone. In fact, there are scores of people who are not filled with tidings of comfort and joy during the holidays. Blue Christmas tells their stories.
Far from cynical, the themes in Blue Christmas are illuminating and gripping. Blue Christmas is comprised of beautifully written, insightful pieces that explore a time of year when we embrace the love we have found and grieve for the love we have lost, when we hone in on the fleeting moments and stand-out events that have irrevocably changed our lives. There is Jane Hamilton’s piece on the Christmas Eve in which she retraces her father’s deadly fall of off a cliff (“Christmas with the Coroner et al.”), Colin Channer’s gritty account of a young girl being held in a war-torn African camp (“Christmust Fever”), Ann Hood’s story of a woman whose disappointment with her life is big enough to fill a room (“La Vigilia”) and Robert Goolrick’s tale in which a man hungers for a “ghost of a life” he may never have (“The Place I Really Live”). These and the other stories in this collection run the gamut from love to death and from friendship to loneliness, but they all have a certain connective thread: no matter what the circumstances or course of events, these moments in life are universal to us all.
My Thoughts
I’ve never been a big fan of Christmas-themed books. They always struck me as too saccharine and contrived. I think we often spend so much time chasing the illusion of what Christmas can be that we rarely experience “the magic of Christmas.” If it doesn’t get lost in the business of the season, then it gets crushed by our outsized expectations. Books, stories and movies that feed into these false expectations annoy me. (Yes … I may have been the original Grinch.) Although having a child brought back some of the innocence and fun of the holidays for me, losing my mom two days before Christmas last year put me right back into a depressed state during the holidays. There is nothing like losing a loved one during the “merriest of seasons” to sour you on the trappings of the holiday.
So when I was offered a review copy of this book, I jumped on it. Part of it was a perverse desire to be “anti-Christmas”—to consciously undercut what I often view as the forced gaiety surrounding the holiday. I also wanted to read stories that would suit my mood around the holidays. Perhaps that is self-defeating, but that was what drew me to the book. And I don’t think I’m alone in the appeal of the book. If you’ve ever felt like you were faking the holiday spirit, this collection of stories will let you revel in that feeling and remind you are not alone.
The stories—as with most short story collections—vary in quality. Some of them will appeal more than others. They vary in tone, style and focus. Some deal directly with Christmas while others are simply set during the holiday season. As you might expect, several stories deal with the disappointments of life—when your dreams for yourself fall fall short of the reality (“A Wild Night And A New Road” by John Dufrense, “The Place I Really Live” by Robert Goolrick, “La Viglia” by Ann Hood ). Others deal with the holiday from the point of view of an “outsider” (“American Sweater” by Diana Abu-Jaber). Some deal with a crossroads in life, when life permanently changes in some fundamental way (“Rocket Man” by Steve Almond, “Anywhere Please” by Lee Martin, “Shut Up, Heart” by Les Standiford. Still others take a rather unexpected and horrifying turn (“I Am Dragon” by Preston Allen).
For me personally, the most affecting story in the book was Jane Hamilton’s “Christmas With The Coroner, Et Al.” When I read the first line: “When I was twenty-two, my father fell off a cliff,” my heart fluttered. As long-time readers might know, this is how my father died. The story was filled with eerie similarities to my own thoughts, feelings and reactions to my father’s death. It was downright spooky in many ways yet, at the same time, oddly comforting. Although I’m not sure if the story is autobiographical (though it seems to be), I immediately felt like writing to the author.
In the end, the book was filled with some gems and some duds. If the premise of the book appeals to you, I’d recommend it. After all, one thing that makes the holidays more bearable is when you know others are having the similar experiences to you.
Recommended For
Readers seeking Christmas-themed stories with a dark and melancholy feel to them
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Wow, so happenstance for you to pick up a book about Christmas and find such a hauntingly familiar to your life story inside. I am glad you were also comforted by the story. The holidays are always hard when you lose a close loved one and I can never begin to imagine how difficult it is to lose one so close to a holiday about togetherness. My dad always loved Christmas and was the one to get all of us excited. Christmas the past 3 years have been pretty blah without him. All we can do is put one foot in front of the other, right? I kind of like the premise of this book because I think it is a nice change of pace from all of the “heartwarming mushy gushy” Christmas books out there already. I like the mushy gushy Christmas (to an extent) but I also recognize the need for some realistic in Christmas too.
It was very strange to find a story that mirrored the circumstances of my dad’s own death so closely. Very eerie. It is tough when you’re grieving to face the holidays … I think you tend to notice more who isn’t there than who is there. It can be a challenge.
I don’t read many Christmas themed books either, way too sweet. I’m glad that this one was good for you this year. I’ll be sending you hugs this Christmas. You might have to look hard for them, but know that they’re there.
You’re so sweet … and your hugs are felt even at this distance!
This sounds like a sad and possibly difficult read, but I can also see where there would be a sort of comfort to it for some readers who have difficulties with the holidays.
((((HUGS))))
If you are feeling blue around the holidays, it does make you feel like you are in good company and that other people are out there feeling just like you, which oddly does make you feel better.
This appeals to me this year. (Did you get that “having a nice holiday”? question on your travels? Shudder.)
I’m sorry that you feel this way too around the holidays. But you’re not alone. And yes … everyone would gaily ask “Traveling home to be with your family?” and I’d almost burst into tears.
I am not usually a fan of Christmas books either, but this one sounds like it might be an exception.
If you really dislike the traditional sappy sugary Christmas book, then this would be a good fit! It is anything but that!
I think that happens with all short story collections, some are better than others. That is uncanny on the story that was a bit similiar to your father.
I can only imagine how hard the holidays are now that your mom has passed. Hugs to you.
The story that was like my dad’s death was eerie and weird and oddly comforting. Strange to come across it like that.
Doesn’t sound like a book I would enjoy. I love that you read so many different types of books. You asked what I’m currently reading, it’s called Endeavor in Time by Chris Hambleton.
I do like to read all kinds of different books … variety is the spice of life. I’ve not read that one you are reading now … you’ll have to let me know how it is!!
I know this must be a difficult time for you, but I also know that you should enjoy your BB(Big Boy) at this time. There is nothing like watching our children at this time of year, even if it’s only the first snow fall or the anticipation of what will be under the tree that makes you smile. Try hard to enjoy those moments, you don’t get them back, trust me, I know.
Having BB helps tremendously. I think that, without him, I’d basically just throw in the towel on the holidays. But, because of him, I can’t and his excitement and innocence makes it more bearable.
I am choosing to read a darker Christmas book this year too. I found a mention of some of Dickens’ less known Christmas works in the autobiography that I read a few weeks ago, and I am choosing one of those for this year. Christmas is hard for us too this year with so many family members terminally ill.
I know this is a bad time for you, and I will be praying for you and thinking of you.
I’m so sorry to hear that you are facing a difficult holiday season too. Terminal illness can be such a painful and exhausting experience for everyone involved. I hope you are able to find some peace and joy with them before their passing and have a chance to say good-bye.
Jenners, I am so sorry about your mother. I lost my own mother this year. This will be my first Christmas without her, and it’s upsetting.
That is uncanny about your father and the story in the book. It seems you were meant to read it, if only to bring you some comfort.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother. It is a terrible thing to lose your mother … and I’m sure it will be difficult this holiday to not have her with you. I feel your pain. Hugs to you … you are not alone.
There’s no good time to lose a loved one and, in my opinion, the holidays can be difficult to get through even under the best of circumstances.
My heart goes out to you, Jenners. (((hugs)))
You’re right … it is never a good time to lose a loved one but I found last year, as I flew out on Christmas Day to begin planning my mother’s funeral, that the other people (who were with their families and happy and laughing and going to celebrate) were such a contrast to my own feelings. It felt bizarre and I found myself feeling almost resentful of everyone enjoying their holidays. Thanks for your support.
I realized after I posted my comment how crass it sounded and I apologize for that. I truly didn’t mean it that way.
What are you talking about? I don’t think you sounded crass … and I don’t think I took it bad in any way.
Dark and melancholy is the only way to go for Christmas books.
I agree … I think I’m allergic to the sweet and saccharine ones.
I used to like Christmas and now I don’t. This time of year is hard.
It is hard for anyone who is grieving. Today, my husband found out that his coworker’s 15-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver. Another person for whom the holidays and Christmas will always be horrible.
I’m very sorry to hear that. Please pass along my condolences and also let them know about The Compassionate Friends, a support group (found around the world) for anyone who has lost a child at any age.
I know exactly where you’re coming from. My dad passed away 4 days after Christmas last year and I’m very blue this year – I have no spirit whatsoever.
I was thinking of you as I wrote this … I remember that we both had difficult losses at the same time last year. It does take the joy out of the holidays and makes them feel more melancholy. Hugs to you during this first Christmas without your dad.
I’m sorry about your loss and I know you are dreading the day. I think I have learned more about you in this one post (I should probably peek in on you more often). This sounds like something I’d like to read but either only during a Christmas season when DH is going to be home or at another time of the year.
It was probably one of the most revealing book reviews … some books are like that. You end up having such a personal reaction to them that you can’t keep it out of the review. I am dreading the actual holiday … but having a child helps to ease the pain somewhat.