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The Hired Man's Christmas
 
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The Hired Man's Christmas [Hardcover]

George Givens (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)


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Book Description

November 9, 1998

In the tradition of Christmas memoirs such as A Child's Christmas in Wales and A Christmas Memory, The Hired Man's Christmas is the story of how the events of two Christmas Eves brought George Givens from boyhood into manhood.

Every summer a mysterious man known only as "Frank" arrives to help George Givens's grandfather with his farmwork. No one knows the hired man's last name, where he comes from, or why he always seems to be so sad. Once the season's crops are harvested, he disappears only to reappear the following summer. This routine continues for many years -- until one fateful Christmas Eve.

The hired man never returns to the Givens farm after that day, and the mystery of his final disappearance seems destined to remain unsolved. Then, on Christmas Eve many years later, George serendipitously discovers the long-lost hired man's fate. This discovery teaches him a powerful lesson about the importance of family and the endurance of love.

The Hired Man's Christmas is a story of simpler times, but its message resonates across the years and in the hearts of fathers and sons even today.


Editorial Reviews

Review

LaVyrle Spencer If you like a little Christmas tear in your eye, and a little Christmas lump in your throat from a little Christmas book that's filled with a message of love...this is the story for you. -- Review

About the Author

George Givens has been a bookseller for 20 years, and for the last five years he has hosted a weekly book review segment on Good Morning Virginia. He is the author of a social history of the city from which the Mormons were driven West into exile, called In Old Nauvoo. He lives in Forest, Virginia. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 111 pages
  • Publisher: Scribner; 1st Scribner ed edition (November 9, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0684856166
  • ISBN-13: 978-0684856162
  • Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,070,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Classic!, March 9, 1999
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This review is from: The Hired Man's Christmas (Hardcover)
What a wonderful story filled with warm memories of a time past. It will remain a favorite on my bookshelf. However, the temptation is to pass it on to others to enjoy. Not only does the author display great sensitivity in his story telling but he also has the unique ability to take the reader on the journey with him. I hope this is just the beginning for this author. By the way, the sketches done by his daughter that are peppered throughout the book are delightful.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful of father/son relationships, March 8, 1999
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This review is from: The Hired Man's Christmas (Hardcover)
This very touching and insightful account of a boys' youthful memories touched many sensitive cords. Although the boys' relationship was bad with his Dad he had a wonderful relationship with his Grandfather. It reminded me so much of my own Childhood, growing up in Dryden (Gee Hill) area and going to school in Marathon, NY. I didn't know any of these people but feel like I know them now and knew many others just like them from the area. I thourghly enjoyed this book
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5.0 out of 5 stars What silence has stolen, November 1, 2011
The Hired Man's Christmas by George Givens

There is a poignant sadness in George Givens' coming-of-age story set in the post depression days of the 30's and 40's. Having been a part of that generation (he is about 2 years older than I) and knowing the reserved stoicism that existed between family members, especially the males, I groan with frustration. Silence is a thief that robs us of opportunities to enrich one another with our encouragement or even admonition.

I'm reminded of two recent books that presented the same scenario: "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner and "Coalwood Way" (I can't name the writer). All these sons of quiet yet strong fathers grew up with baggage of repressed resentments and feelings of unworthiness that resulted in painful emotional baggage.

What a relief to read that George Givens sees mirrored in his own father this mysterious hired hand, Frank, and, like the ghosts of Christmas past and future, Frank shows up at Christmas to stir George's heart and help him begin to understand his own journey. I rejoiced to experience that amazing Christmas at the Givens home when, like Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning, George walks in loaded with gifts and warmth, igniting it in his ill, depressed father with those wonderful colored lights they string on the tree. All that is needed to make this a jubilee ending is for his beloved Bah and Grandma Ora to have seen it.

Givens sums everything up succinctly when he comments "I suppose there are many things we find hard to talk about." Thankfully, times have changed, even for guys.

I love Dr. Phil.
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