Customer Reviews

Angels and Other Strangers

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Around the holidays, so many different collections of inspirational stories appear on bookstore shelves, that it's often hard to muddle through them all, in an attempt to find the gems. With Katherine Paterson's ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS, however, it was quite simple to discover that this was one of the gems, based on the first story alone.

ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS - After a series of aggravating Christmases spent in various strange places, including the hospital, Julia Thompson is happy to know that this year, there will be no interruptions from crabby Aunt Patty. However, on Christmas Eve, she receives a call, and suddenly finds herself, along with her infant, and young son, Kevin, reluctantly riding the dark roads of Washington on her way to pick up the renowned Aunt Patty. When she runs out of gas, a man she has never met before named Jacob, on his way (on foot) to visit his pregnant daughter Arlene. Upon their paths crossing, the two each receive a holiday miracle that they'll never forget. 4/5 stars.

GUESTS - Pastor Nagai has had a lonesome year, having been the victim of a terrible bombing that took his entire family away from him, simply because he believes in Christ, and the American holiday traditions. Traditions that are not embraced by the Japanese. Even so, on Christmas Eve, Pastor Nagai begins his holiday service, only to be surprised by guests who are interested in hearing what he has to say. 4/5 stars.

MANY HAPPY RERUNS - Elizabeth is sick of everything lately. From the screechy singing voice of her Sunday School teacher, Miss Violet, to the fact that she has to endure annoying Aunt Gladys until her mother returns from the hospital, a new baby in tow. However, none of that can compare to the fact that her parents are practically forgetting about Christmas, and Elizabeth altogether - spending too much time fussing over the new baby. So when Elizabeth decides to do something about it, she has no idea that she'll put herself in the position to learn yet another lesson just in time for the holidays. 4/5 stars.

TIDINGS OF JOY - Carol can't wait for her new baby to be born. The name - Joy - is already picked out for the little girl. But when she has a terrible nightmare three months into her pregnancy, she's shaken up, worrying non-stop until the baby is born, and her nightmare is proven true. Now, without the love of a newborn, Carol finds it hard to take care of her toddler, finding herself snapping at him at all different times, for no reason. That is, until she finally realizes that Joy was meant to do something better in life than stay here on Earth. 4/5 stars.

MAGGIE'S GIFT - When Mr. McGee is invited to spend Christmas in Hawaii with his daughter, and rich husband, he quickly turns down the offer, not interested in spending his holiday in the warm sun surrounded by hula dancers. So when he's offered the chance to open his home, and his heart, to two orphans (a brother and sister), he quickly accepts; only to find that his new charges are ungrateful, and searching for things that he can't afford. It is only when Mr. McGee (who is temporary family have begun referring to as Maggie) teaches the two children a lesson about giving back and sharing, that the holiday begins looking up. 4/5 stars.

STAR OF NIGHT - Carl has been searching for his drug-abusing son Jimmy for years, ever since he first left Chicago. Rumors of death have been floating around since then, but Carl has never been sure. So when he receives a phone call from one of Jimmy's old friends, saying that he was spotted in Washington, Carl, noting that it's Christmas, hops a plane, leaving his family behind, in an attempt to search for his son. When he arrives, however, he is surprised by something even more unexpected. Something that is sure to make his holiday bright. 4/5 stars.

HE CAME DOWN - Lydia has been suffering from depression ever since her husband passed away, leading her to lock herself up tight in her home, and shut everyone out. However, when her son Stephen, a pastor, invites her to spend the holiday with him, she feels that she can't refuse. Then she is asked to take care of a sick woman's baby as her daughter participates in the Church play, in the character of Mary. Lydia is wary, but soon realizes that spending time with this sick woman, along with her child, is exactly what both women needed. 4/5 stars.

WOODROW KENNINGTON WORKS PRACTICALLY A MIRACLE - Woodrow Kennington has always found his younger sister Sara Jane to be supremely annoying. Messing up his stuff, digging through his room. Which is why he's excited to learn that his parents are expecting a new baby - hopefully one who will respect him. When Sara Jane learns about this, however, she becomes obsessed with the Lord, and praying, and slowly begins to drive Woodrow out of his mind. So, in an attempt to bring the old Sara Jane back, he plays a trick on her; only to find that it questions her faith, and leaves her rejecting what she previously embraced. 4/5 stars.

BROKEN WINDOWS - Philip has been a pastor for over 35-years, but still can't manage to come up with a sermon for the holidays that will work wonders - which is what he's looking for. Then, something strange happens, a baseball breaks a church window, and Philip encounters two little boys and their mother (their father having left them), who want nothing more than a nice Christmas and their father back. Philip, having yelled at them previously, feels horrible for what he's done, and now plans on helping them to have the best Christmas they've ever had, while writing a sermon that will knock his congregation of their feet. 4/5 stars.

I was hesitant to read ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS when I first stumbled upon it, as there are so many holiday short story collections that rarely live up to your expectations. Which is why I am happy to say that ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS did not fall into this category. From the very first story to the very last, I was absorbed in reading these touching tales that flocked all over the world, describing families of all different nationalities, races, and more. With each story, you are filled with a warmth that stays with you long after the book is completed. The shining stars of this collection would most likely have to be WOODROW KENNINGTON WORKS PRACTICALLY A MIRACLE and ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS. However, each story must be read in completion, for they all possess their own traits, and miracles, which can't be missed. Katherine Paterson has woven an inspiring collection of short stories that will make you smile from ear to ear, and thaw even the Grinch's cold heart and soul. Your heart will sing like a choir of angels upon completion of this joyful holiday effort.

Erika Sorocco

Freelance Reviewer

This is an inspiring collection of true Christmas stories by Katherine Paterson, author of the Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, and other high-quality books. She has won numerous awards for her work. The stories in this book are not your typical meaningless holiday tripe. Instead, they deal with real people in real situations, and how they found hope, courage and faith in the midst of them. This is a book to be treasured.

Lovers of children's literature are familiar with Katherine Paterson as the author of The Great Gilly Hopkins, Bridge to Terabithia, and other outstanding children's books. In 1967, though, Katherine Paterson was a young wife and mother whose pastor husband asked her to find a story he could read to his congregation on Christmas Eve. Unable to find a story at the library that wasn't too "saccharine" or "sappy," the young wife wrote one.
A few years later he asked for another, and an annual Christmas story became a tradition. Not until 1979 were the stories collected and published. Now they have been reprinted with a new introduction by the author.
Written for families, the stories include children but focus on adult characters: an irascible aunt who always manages to ruin carefully laid plans; a lonely widower who takes in two less-than-grateful foster children; a mother grieving for the baby who inexplicably died at birth; the father searching the snowy streets of Washington DC for his runaway son. Christmas is not all joy for these characters--but it is a time when God breaks through human barriers in startling and uplifting ways.

This is one of my favorite of Katherine Paterson's books. I bought it for a friend as a gift. The book is wonderful and even though the stories are centered around Christmas, they are universal and timeless.