The Christmas Sweater (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kevin Balfe (Author), Jason F. Wright (Author)
Key Phrases: bread bags, Aunt Cathryn, Merry Christmas, Wonder Bread (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Beck's debut novel, the conservative radio and TV host (An Inconvenient Book) makes a weak attempt at a holiday classic in the vein of It's a Wonderful Life. Despite his single mother's financial hardships, 12-year-old Eddie is certain this Christmas he will receive his much-desired Huffy bike. To his dismay, what he finds under the tree is "a stupid, handmade, ugly sweater" that his mother carefully modeled after those she can't afford at Sears (one of four places she keeps part-time jobs). Eddie tosses the sweater and insults his mother before the two go visit his grandparents at their farmouse. On the drive home, though, Eddie's exhausted mother falls asleep at the wheel and crashes, dying instantly. Sent to live with his grandparents, an increasingly bitter and angry Eddie lashes out at his accommodating guardians, engages in typical teenage angst and grapples with belief in God. For all his focus on traditional family virtues like respect, love and forgiveness, Beck's lightweight parable cruises on predictability, repetition and sentimentality.
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Product Description

If You Could Change Your Life by Reversing Your Biggest Regrets, Sorrows and Mistakes...Would You?

#1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned radio and television host Glenn Beck delivers an instant holiday classic about boyhood memories, wrenching life lessons, and the true meaning of the gifts we give to one another in love.

We weren't wealthy, we weren't poor -- we just were. We never wanted for anything, except maybe more time together....

When Eddie was twelve years old, all he wanted for Christmas was a bike. Although his life had gotten harder -- and money tighter -- since his father died and the family bakery closed...Eddie dreamed that somehow his mother would find a way to have his dream bike gleaming beside their modest Christmas tree that magical morning.

What he got from her instead was a sweater. "A stupid, handmade, ugly sweater" that young Eddie left in a crumpled ball in the corner of his room.

Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don't always get what they want, and too young to understand that he already owned life's most valuable treasures, that Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie's dark and painful journey on the road to manhood. It will take wrestling with himself, his faith, and his family -- and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell -- to help Eddie find his path through the storm clouds of life and finally see the real significance of that simple gift his mother had crafted by hand with love in her heart.

Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith and forgiveness that offers us a glimpse of our own lives -- while also making us question if we really know what's most important in them.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 284 pages
• Publisher: Threshold Editions; First Edition/ First Printing edition (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141659485X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416594857
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (357 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Holidays > Christmas
  #49 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

198 of 225 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your personal sweater, November 11, 2008

By	Richard Langel (Ankeny, Iowa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I received my pre-ordered book last Friday, and finished it in less than 12 hours. At first I was disappointed that the message wasn't stronger, that the end didn't just hit me like Glenn predicted.

But as I went on afterwards and thought about it, the more it hit me. The power of this message is in redemption, it's in knowing how to handle the storms in your life and knowing who you can always count on. I now look at people in a different light, from my family to our friends to my kid's friends, trying to figure out what part of their personal storm they're in. I also look at myself, trying to decide to be a Russell or Glenn's grandpa, and actively help people along to get through their storm. It's a personal challenge to me to do even more than what I have in the past to be the person that God has wanted me to be. It's definitely worth the time to read.

79 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read; even better gift!, November 11, 2008

By	James R. Brown "Jim 'Gymbeaux' Brown" (Slidell, Louisiana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yesterday I received an advanced order copy of Glenn Beck's book. Last night instead of watching mindless TV programs I began reading it. I have only read two other books cover to cover in one sitting, Living at the Summit by Dr. Tom Hill and The Little Gold Book of YES!Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer but last night I read The Christmas Sweater cover to cover. Glenn Beck is well known for his political commentary and should anyone decide NOT to read his book because of his beliefs, it will be their loss. This is an amazing novel, not a political commentary, about a 12 year old boy who experiences rough times growing up and how he responds or better, reacts. It is a book about growing up, about believing in yourself, about having faith, and about change. The book brought back memories of people, places, things and events in my own life as a youngster that I had completely forgotten about. The book is based in part about Glenn's life as he explains at the end. It is a very compelling read that I not only recommend everyone reading but the book would make a fantastic Christmas gift especially if you get the collector's hard cover edition. Gymbeaux

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Holiday Message, November 12, 2008

By	Scott Lee - See all my reviews

The Christmas Sweater is a story that will ring home with everyone who reads it. I finished the book in two-sittings. Mr. Beck tells his story with vivid imagery that flows so smoothly that you are almost watching it unfold. All of the characters are familiar, along with what they are experiencing. It is a fairly simple story and can be somewhat predictable, but rings true with every word. The climax will leave an unforgettable impression that will truly inspire you to spread the gift that this book offers. I believe this book will appeal to people from all walks of life and the message will leave some, if not most, in tears.