Book Review: A Yuletide Universe

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

A Yuletide Universe     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Brian M. Thomsen
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Fantasy   Mystery   Holiday   [Short Stories]

One of the great advantages of a collection of short stories over a novel can be the variety of ideas and approaches on a theme in a single book. In this book, the sixteen stories range considerably in length, style and even period -- from Neil Gaiman's single page to Bret Harte's western story. Most of them contain Santa Claus in some form. Not, of course, the current commercial version of Santa Claus -- that would be rather predictable and boring. The stories often refer to the popular Santa Claus (and a few other well-known Christmas stories), but with a twist. The focus is on the more secular aspects of the holiday -- this is not a complaint, merely a warning that although it is definitely a Christmas anthology, those looking for Nativity scenes won't find them here.

Not all stories in a collection of this sort will appeal to every reader. That is part of the charm of such a collection; that the reader can discover the variations on the theme. My favourites among them were both in the Variations on the Holiday Theme' section. Connie Willis' story of a harried office worker's run-ins with the Spirit of Christmas Present, accidentally conjured up by her New Age sister, was light and entertaining, ideal holiday fare. And I read McHugh's story about a Christmas spirit in China twice, fascinated by the themes of travel as an escape attempt and the importance of choice. Although I enjoyed other stories, those two made the anthology worth reading.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM