Consider the one star rating a 0. This is one of the worst books I've read in a long time. Utter drivel. Sappy and manipulative. Poor dialogue. No character development. Poor writing. I read this for a book club and I can't decide if I am going to the discussion.I've all ready spent about an hour or so of my life reading this book that I'll never get back.

The one star rating is for the cover. I thought it was pretty. ( )

(3.5 / 5)

A young family of 3 move into a mansion to be companion and helper to an elderly widow named MaryAnne. As the Christmas season progresses, the narrator--husband & father Richard--uncovers MaryAnne's painful secret, and in turn, is reminded of what is truly important in life, and what Christmas is really about.

I read this in about an hour and a half, and it was a decent read. The writing was clear and simple. The characters weren't very fleshed-out, but for a story of this length, I wouldn't expect them to be, so it didn't bother me. The plot developed in a way that made it seem like I was meant to be surprised by some reveals near the end, but it all seemed pretty obvious to me.

The message about why it's important to spend time with your loved one while you can was portrayed clearly, if not a little heavy-handedly. I must admit, though, that the Christmas box itself seemed like a much smaller element than I would have expected. There also some pseudo-supernatural elements that weren't explained.

The thing that confused me the most is that apparently the book is set in the late 1940s, but it's almost like it was a secret. The only way I realized it is by doing some math from some passing comments and a date shown on a letter.

I think this book would be enjoyed by those who are looking for a poignant book about love, loss, and the importance of family. The book is the first in a trilogy, which are all included in the collection copy that I have. The later 2 books are apparently both prequels to the first one. And each installment basically doubles the size of the previous. I don't think I'll likely end up reading any more of this trilogy this season, but I will make sure to keep it on my list to remember to read at least book #2 next Christmas season. ( )

A nice little holiday tale about the true meaning of Christmas. ( )

53403

I gave this little book to my mother for Christmas. I hadn't read (or heard of) it before, but saw it at the library's book sale. My mother has read Little Dick's Christmas (by Etheldred B. Barry, 1903) almost every year since she was a child and I was hoping (and I was right!) that she would enjoy this new book as another quiet, heartfelt and touching Christmas story. Although it could never replace adorable little Dick, we agreed that the Christian message in The Christmas Box was especially worthy and inspiring--and something that Little Dick's Christmas lacked, although sharing a general message of love and family.

I acknowledge that some readers might object to this book as a sentimental tear-jerker, but personally, I did not feel that it was overly sentimental. (I've read much more sentimental stuff I guess is what I'm saying). The characters were interesting, realistic, and relatively well fleshed out for the book's length. The plot was well-structured and the writing was pretty good.

Of course, other readers will object to this book on religious grounds. This is to be expected, as the book does not apologize for its biblical view of Christmas. If you are not a Christian, the conclusion will probably seem ridiculous and disappointing, unless you regard it in merely symbolic terms. I imagine some Christians might object to the specific theology in the book, including certain views about angels, Unlimited Atonement, or object to the fact that the author was a Mormon (which honestly isn't evident in the story itself), or wish that the author had gone farther in his exposition of the gospel. Perhaps the best thing about its theology, in my opinion, is that the author does not give us too much, but lets the story be enjoyed by all kinds of believers and denominations, focusing on the essential elements that unify us.

One thing that somewhat intrigued and bothered me about the book was its use of the author's real family's names, while simultaneously claiming to be a work of fiction. I wasn't sure how to interpret this, but mostly it just distracted me from the story as I wondered how much of it was fiction and which parts weren't--e.g. Was the kind widow completely made up? Or were only her name and certain characteristics changed?

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone at Christmastime who would like to enjoy an uplifting story and wants to be reminded of what truly matters. I definitely recommend it as a read-aloud. Next Christmas, when I read this again, we'll see how my opinion has changed. I'm actually glad I didn't know this book had been so popular, because if I had known, I never would've given it a chance, which tells you more about me than the book.

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