I can see what the author was striving for with this story: a wry look at the complex life of a family, as seen through the eyes of a naive boy on the cusp of adolescence, with a hearty dose of 1960’s nostalgia via endless pop culture references. Unfortunately, it was predictable and dull, and didn’t have anything new or fresh to offer. Also, while I think some authors can do an outstanding job of reading their own work on audio (hello, Mr. Gaiman!), someone should have prevented Wally Lamb from doing so. His narrative stylings made this only mildly interesting book into a deadly dull audio.

DNF at 46%.
( )

Two good characters, and shallowly delightful book. Lightweight. ( )

2.5 stars. I was hoping the audio version of this book would really engage me and be great listening to kick off the Christmas season. It didn't live up to my hopes. ( )

I read this book for “Christmas in July.” It is set in the mid-1960s in Connecticut. It is touted as a Christmas story, but the holiday portion does kick in until the half-way point. Up until then, it is a juvenile tale of a ten-year-old boy, the book’s narrator, attending parochial school. He plays practical jokes and interacts with friends and classmates. I think it is supposed to be funny, but the humor is crude and did not appeal to me. The primary set-piece is a fifth grade Christmas pageant. The ending is cute. Call me the Grinch, but this book is just OK. ( )

Love this author, always have, always will. ( )