A book review: The Christmas Glass
Alborghetti, Marci. New York, New York. Published by Guideposts. 2009
I really like to read novels by the likes of Richard Paul Evans and Nicholas Sparks; novels that speak to the heart. Others might call them 'romance' novels, but that wouldn't be close to what I'm talking about. Sometimes I'm attracted to these books by their unique titles, 'The God of Animals,' 'The Last Promise,' 'The Notebook,' etc. ... so I was attracted to the book 'The Christmas Glass.'
Its always hard to do a book review because first you want to do justice to the book but on the other hand you want others to read it and so you try to give just enough to spark their curiosity at the same time give your feelings about it without prejudicing them. This book is about an Italian grandmother, who has come into possession of a rare German -blown twelve piece glass set. She distributes the pieces to family and friends as she sees fit, being extremely careful who gets what piece. The family is in disarray from inner conflicts and its seems they will never be able to come together as one family again, when old Filomena, the grandmother, announces that she won't move from assisted living to nursing home unless the family reunites one more time. Each chapter in this novel is almost like a book itself, telling the story of its name sake and how each relate to the Christmas glass set. You don't want to miss one chapter, some are about characters who don't seem to have that much importance to the story and if you skip over them you will never fully understand the closing chapter.
Its said that every author places themselves into their creation somewhere and if that is true Marci does a wonderful job in exposing perhaps not only her family but to some degree each of our family's. It is a story woven with faith, trust, disappointment and neglect ... and often those bonds that seem irreconcilable become the strongest bonds of reconciliation. In some ways its about placing family over self, which we in the West could certainly use some lessons on; other times its about the willingness to forgive. The ending of the book will leave you guessing, as all good novels do! ........... in some ways it allows you to write the ending, and that ending will depend upon your own family relationships! I actually did NOT want this novel to end, and as I came to the last chapter I intentionally read it more slowly hoping that the book might multiply..maybe there were a book the author had, or was going to write to continue the story?..
As we think about the Christmas season, and what an appropriate time to be striving to mend family relations, and the fact that over half of our population is over 50yrs old, this indeed is a timely book ..... and a great Christmas gift. Thanks Marci.
Alborghetti, Marci. New York, New York. Published by Guideposts. 2009
I really like to read novels by the likes of Richard Paul Evans and Nicholas Sparks; novels that speak to the heart. Others might call them 'romance' novels, but that wouldn't be close to what I'm talking about. Sometimes I'm attracted to these books by their unique titles, 'The God of Animals,' 'The Last Promise,' 'The Notebook,' etc. ... so I was attracted to the book 'The Christmas Glass.'
Its always hard to do a book review because first you want to do justice to the book but on the other hand you want others to read it and so you try to give just enough to spark their curiosity at the same time give your feelings about it without prejudicing them. This book is about an Italian grandmother, who has come into possession of a rare German -blown twelve piece glass set. She distributes the pieces to family and friends as she sees fit, being extremely careful who gets what piece. The family is in disarray from inner conflicts and its seems they will never be able to come together as one family again, when old Filomena, the grandmother, announces that she won't move from assisted living to nursing home unless the family reunites one more time. Each chapter in this novel is almost like a book itself, telling the story of its name sake and how each relate to the Christmas glass set. You don't want to miss one chapter, some are about characters who don't seem to have that much importance to the story and if you skip over them you will never fully understand the closing chapter.
Its said that every author places themselves into their creation somewhere and if that is true Marci does a wonderful job in exposing perhaps not only her family but to some degree each of our family's. It is a story woven with faith, trust, disappointment and neglect ... and often those bonds that seem irreconcilable become the strongest bonds of reconciliation. In some ways its about placing family over self, which we in the West could certainly use some lessons on; other times its about the willingness to forgive. The ending of the book will leave you guessing, as all good novels do! ........... in some ways it allows you to write the ending, and that ending will depend upon your own family relationships! I actually did NOT want this novel to end, and as I came to the last chapter I intentionally read it more slowly hoping that the book might multiply..maybe there were a book the author had, or was going to write to continue the story?..
As we think about the Christmas season, and what an appropriate time to be striving to mend family relations, and the fact that over half of our population is over 50yrs old, this indeed is a timely book ..... and a great Christmas gift. Thanks Marci.
In your first paragraph, you touch upon the problem I have with writing reviews. With six years spent and two degrees obtained in the study of literature, I had it beaten into me time and again by professors, "don't write a damn review; write a critical analysis." The problem is, without giving away the end, sometimes people read the review and think the book/movie/whatever sucks.
ReplyDeleteFor example, my Jewish blog friend Naomi read my Scipio review and thought the novel was antisemitic. In fact it is exactly the opposite, but to prove it, I'd have to give away the plot. Thus, I compromised and wrote her an email to tell her a little more in order to encourage her to read it.
Anyway, thanks for this and all your reviews.
Cheers.
Sherm
ReplyDeleteI like that concept of 'critical analysis,' I think it answers my dilemma; from now on, when I don't have a senior moment, I will do 'critical analysis.' thanks.