Customer Reviews

The Boat of Dreams: A Christmas Story

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"The Boat of Dreams" is my candidate for this year's run-away Christmas gift. It's an appealing story for the whole family and a lovely volume to give to friends and relatives.

The Boat of Dreams by Richard Preston is a heart-warming tale of hope and love, which was originally written for his friend who was dying of breast cancer. This is a wonderful story to share with the entire family, especially during the holidays.

Preston brings Santa to life in a very `realistic" way, much to both the horror and delight of thirteen-year-old Will and his six-year-old sister, Lila. "Santa" teaches Will and Lila to dream their biggest dreams, allowing their love to flow for everyone, as they transverse the world on Christmas Eve in their departed father's beloved lobster boat. Magic and miracles are in the air as Will and Lila have the adventure of their life on this unforgettable night. They learn that things are not what they seem and that love does indeed create miracles.

This Christmas tale will fill one with hope and love, with several chuckles along the way and will leave the reader with a warm spot in his or her heart along with a tear or two!

I heartily recommend this book!

Richard Preston has written an entirely contemporary, essentially timeless Christmas story. Who else but this New Yorker writer who's published widely acclaimed books on everything from American steel to African viruses would be brave enough introduce youngsters to a Santa Claus who begins this book as a depressed couch potato and gradually reclaims his rightful status as God's own St. Nicholas. I challenge you to read it aloud. Your children will laugh heartily through much of the tale, but you'll be hard pressed to finish it with dry eyes.

What a joy to read. Mr. Preston has done it again! He has woven a wonderful story that reminds us what Christmas is all about! It is NOT about commercialism and shop til you drop, it is about wishing and hoping and caring about each of us on the planet!
Imbedded in this marvelous story is a bit about life in Maine and life in the late 1960's and even what it's like to be a Red Sox fan (very relevant for 2003!)
It is a great book for children and adults to read together! A must have holiday book! I highly recommend it!

The Boat of Dreams is a departure for Richard Preston, but what range it shows! This is destined to be a family treasure that comes out every holiday to be read and shared by all. It is a tender story of loss, and love, and most importantly hope... a story that will bring tears to your eyes and encourage a few laughs, too. The genesis behind the writing of this jewel is moving as well, and Preston's intentions to share the profits for cancer research are to be commended (and copied!). Enjoy.

This is a little gem of a book, for all ages. It reminds us of what Christmas should be all about: not shopping, but of love, kindness and faith. There's lots of magic, humor and drama, too, with children flying through the sky in Santa's lobster boat-sleigh, a mean landlord trying to evict the family, a father away at war, and neighbors who at first covet the missing father's particularly beautiful lobster boat and in the end find the true spirit of Christmas in their hearts. The scenes and characters are beautifully evoked and drawn. And it shows the impressive breadth of this author known for his meticulously researched books on bio-terrorism.

I just finished reading this book to my Nursing home residents. They were rapt in attention as we read the final two chapters quickly realizing this was not a "normal" Christmas tale. The ending is lovely, and considering WHEN it was written... true at this date.
A wonderful read for old and young alike....The tale will help you send your dreams to others for the holidays.

I won't have to do a lot of shopping this Christmas. I'm giving everyone _The Boat of Dreams_. When I first read it, I laughed and felt genuinely moved. Most Christmas stories, especially ones involving Santa, feel cheap to me. The happy emotions aren't earned; they are just ladled out. This book is the exception. Its setting feels real, so its turn to fantasy seems real, too.

_The Boat of Dreams_ is a book that I can read to my niece and discuss with my fellow English professors. I think it is going to be a classic. All my friends and every relation to the third degree will find a copy in their stockings. This year I'm sure my cousins are going to enjoy what I give them for Christmas.

This is an incredible story. I picked it up on a whim & am grateful I did.I absolutely could not put it down! I won't give anything away, but suffice it to say
it is money well spent to purchase this book. You'll want many copies to share with family & friends. A deeply moving & heartwarming holiday treat!

The reason this book was written gives it even more poignancy but the book itself stands alone as a testament to faith and the power of love. All of the characters are clearly drawn and I found myself racing along to finish - it's a very easy read and certainly a wonderful book to read aloud with children, family and friends. I hope it becomes another XMAS classic. Thanks, Dick!