Description
Product Description
From the
New York Times bestselling author of
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? comes an enchanting collection of stories for the holiday season.
For years Jeanette Winterson has loved writing a new story at Christmas time and here she brings together twelve of her brilliantly imaginative, funny and bold tales, along with twelve delicious recipes for the Twelve Days of Christmas. These tales give the reader a portal into the spirit of the season, where time slows down and magic starts to happen. From jovial spirits to a donkey with a golden nose, a haunted house to a SnowMama, Winterson’s innovative stories encompass the childlike and spooky wonder of Christmas. Perfect for reading by the fire with loved ones, or while traveling home for the holidays. Enjoy the season of peace and goodwill, mystery, and a little bit of magic courtesy of one of our most fearless and accomplished writers.
Amazon.com Review
My friend’s boyfriend, a musician, was going through a bit of a creative slump, so she suggested he record a Christmas album. The holidays were approaching so it seemed the perfect time. He scoffed, “A Christmas album?! That’s what people do when they’re washed-up.” Though we didn’t agree (and neither does Mariah Carey), I have to admit that I shared the boyfriend’s skepticism. It just seemed, well, cheesy. This probably explains my dubiousness when I discovered that Jeanette Winterson had penned a collection of Christmas stories, despite the fact that she is one of my favorite authors. But I am not ashamed to say,
Christmas Days melted my cynical heart. There are twelve tales, of course, every one infectious with Winterson’s enthusiasm for the season. This is not to say that all of the stories are joyful. She slips a couple delightfully spooky ones into the mix, and there are accompanying holiday recipes as well. Again, not typically a fan of the story/recipe combo, but this book is breaking all of my literary rules because it’s just…well, magic. There, I said it. With feeling! In the introduction, Winterson writes: “I know Christmas has become a cynical retail hijack but it is up to us all, individually and collectively, to object to that. Christmas is celebrated across the world by people of all religions and none. It is a joining together, a putting aside of differences.” On the heels of such a contentious presidential election, a lot of folks are apprehensive about holing-up with family this holiday season. My advice? Leave politics at the door, watch
Elf for the tenth time, and begin the tradition of reading
Christmas Days--to yourself, to your loved ones (preferably by a fire with some hot cocoa). At the very least it will warm the cockles of your (cold/terrified/hopeful) heart.
--Erin Kodicek, The Amazon Book Review
Review
* A New York Times Editors’ Choice * One of the Los Angeles Times Holiday Books * One of USA Today’s New and Noteworthy Books
“Nowhere is [Winterson’s] faith in the transporting power of storytelling more on display than in her new book,
Christmas Days . . . dark, otherworldly and (trademark Winterson) wickedly funny . . . [a] holiday treasure . . . to be pulled out on a December night, fireside, and read aloud.” ―
New York Times Book Review
“If you crave the mystery, the family rituals, and the special victuals of Christmastime, you’ll savor . . . bold, revelatory feminist writer Jeanette Winterson’s Christmas Days.” ―
Elle
“A feast of stories . . . Winterson has wrapped up a holiday present between two covers.” ―
NPR
“Winterson has presented us with unexpected holiday cheer . . . perfect for stuffing the stockings of your eccentric relatives . . . The magical tales are all exuberant.” ―
Washington Post
“The edgy author continues the British tradition of writing funny, spooky stories for the Christmas season.” ―
Los Angeles Times
“Fables, reminiscences, ghost stories, recipes―Jeanette Winterson’s collection of holiday-themed fiction and essays has
Features
- Grove Press