"The Forgotten Carols" is an innovative storybook/CD about a nurse whose empty life is changed by her patient, John. As the story moves along, the characters in the novel break into song, which are included on the compact disc. Line drawings.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Surely the most innovative holiday book this season, McLean's slim debut novel, which began life as a musical, includes a CD with eight songs by the author that are integral to the story. When straitlaced nurse Constance Chamberlin is assigned to care for elderly "Uncle John" in his mansion during the Christmas holidays, the dour young woman has reason to think that her patient has deep psychological problems. His constant cheerfulness, intense candor and compassionate attitude make him appealing. But John insists that he is 2000 years old, and that the ornaments he puts on his Christmas tree were given to him by people who played a small part in the Nativity. The innkeeper who turned away Joseph and Mary, the shepherds who followed the star and an angel are among those commemorated in "the forgotten carols" that John plays for Constance. Of course, John isn't what he seems, and Constance almost loses her newfound faith until she understands his gift to her. A mixture of whimsy and inspirational message, the story just manages to flow faster than treacle. (Oct.) FYI: Writer, composer, producer and director McLean has made the films Mr. Krueger's Christmas and Nora's Christmas Gift and the musicals Celebrating the Light and The Ark.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A New Classic,
By
This review is from: The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Story and Songs (Book & CD) (Hardcover)
This story, though short is due to become a classic Christmas story much in the same vein as "A Christmas Carol"Constance is a hurting soul even though she would deny it. Working as nurse in a city hospital, she is given a special assignment to watch over Uncle John while his family is away for the holidays. What Constance thinks is going to be a routine assignment turns out to be anything but! And what you think is a routine Christmas story is anything but! I never saw the outcome ahead of time and read it through eyes brimming with tears. The CD is a wonderful additon and gives life to the written word. I will buy this for mysef and for some well chosen friends. We often get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holiday, and setting aside a special evening to read this book and listen to the music, will center you and prepare your heart to receive the most wonderful gift of all... Christ's love.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Touching Christmas Music since "The Messiah",
By kimiiii (HYRUM, UT USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Story and Songs (Hardcover)
I went to a live performance of "The Forgotten Carols" play 5 years ago without ever having heard the music. I was deeply touched with a sweet feeling of peace and appreciation for Christ's birth and life, as told be the characters in each song, as well as the fabulous Connie Lou. The Innkeeper (song:Let Him In) tells of how he felt when he turned Mary and Joseph away and then later realized whom he had really turned away. A shepherd who slept through the sighting of the first Christmas star struggles to believe what his friends tell him when they return from seeing Baby Jesus (song: The Shepherd/You Were Not There In Bethlehem). To top it off, Michael McLean is a gifted performer who can intertwine humor, sadness, reverence, and joy in a masterpiece that has become a tradition in many people's lives. I will go anywhere to see this performance every Christmastime and the beautiful music rings throughout our home during the Holidays. I can't give Michael McLean enough praise for such an entertaining production with such a deep, heartfelt message.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Perfect Addition to Christmas,
By "harkman" (Vancouver, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Story and Songs (Hardcover)
The story of the Forgotten Carols rekindles the true meaning of Christmas. The book is based around a nurse who doesn't believe in anything that has to do with Christmas and has no family. Her hospital assigns her to go and take care of one family's aging uncle, John. As the story continues, John introduces her to his carols about the forgotten parts of Christmas and the people who played roles that many forget about as they head to the department stores to take part in the materialized part of Christmas. Some of these characters include the innkeeper and the inn, the shepards, and Joseph. This book has been in my family since it came out and we read it many times every holiday season. If you purchase this book I recommend the audio cassette to accompany because it is read by the Glen Yarbrough and it include the Forgotten Carol songs such as "I cry the day I take the tree down," "Joseph:I was not his father, he was mine," and a great rendition of a Messiah medley called "Handel's Dream." This book is a must and will be the perfect addition to your Christmas
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