Customer Reviews

Our Simple Gifts: Civil War Christmas Tales

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I do not know enough about the current state of American letters to venture an educated opinion about where Mr. Owen Parry stands in comparison to his colleagues who are writing fiction today, but this slim volume of poetic prose is such good stuff that any author would be proud to have written it. I'm a writer too, so I'm cursed to know good writing when I see it, but I also know that no matter how hard I might try, I'll never be up to Mr. Parry's level. Well, that puts me into very good company with many so-called best-selling scribblers. These simple stories, told by a master, wonderfully evoke the joy of humanity at its best, and yet Mr. Parry writes with a steel pen: Reading these stories is like coming inside from the cold to a room with a blazing fire -- they warm you through and through and you're grateful for the respite they bring your soul, but your ears sting painfully from the howling wind outside. Ladies and gentlemen, not many can write like that.

This is a lovely, beautiful book. Author Owen Parry brings his trademark prose style to the short story form, making "Our Simple Gifts" a true gift to the reader. In four beautifully-crafted tales, set during the Civil War, Parry transports readers to that turbulent era and gives us a sense of how love and faith endure the strongest trials. Through Parry's graceful, lyrical prose the reader is moved by the lives of a maimed Union officer returning home, an immigrant soldier seeking to make sense of his new homeland, a newly-freed slave and a Confederate soldier just returning from a prison camp. With powerful atmosphere, vivid characters and a compelling message, this collection is bound to be a holiday classic. Parry is an American Dickens. A gift indeed.

In his other persona, Owen Parry is a prominent retired army officer who writes brilliantly on national defense and strategy. It comes as a surprise, therefore, to find these gentle stories written by the same hand. This is fine historical fiction. Not only do the characters stay within their historical period - no distracting anachronisms here - but so does the writing. The stories are upbeat and completely ingenuous. They might not be cynical enough for modern tastes, so here is a test: if you enjoy A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, you will love this book. If your tastes run more toward Tim Burton's Christmas tale, you probably won't enjoy it, although you should read it anyway: it would be good for your head. No matter what your tastes, however, no one should miss the last story in the collection. It is not only the finest in the book, but a classic work which illustrates the human condition better than any other story written in the last 100 years. The protagonist is a newly freed slave who had been unspeakably abused by his "masters." Now the tide has turned, the men are dead in the war and the mistress of the house is on the verge of losing everything to the bank and about to be cast out with her retarded daughter. The simple act of Christian kindness which the slave shows toward the women brilliantly illustrates the evil of slavery and the importance of religion. This isn't Dickens; it's much much better than that.

This little book will take you back before Christmas became an event that starts in October and is a money and advertizing glitz headache. It will transport you to a time when people thought Christmas greetings and a warming drink to celebrate the day with friends was enough. No matter what time of day you read it you will find yourself lost in another era and wish it was now. A short book - just an hour or so read that will instill your faith in humanity again. Please take the time to read.

Having just finished this book, I'm left with an impression tht Owen Parry has done it again. He is a master craftsman at writing. Having other books of his, under his real name, I'm struck by his Civil War era stories like this work. They reveal a lyrical and poetic side of him that I'm surprised and impressed with.

These Christmas tales are not intended for children, just like the bookflap said. In the flashbacks, there are enough hints of violence to leave the reader the knowledge that Christmas isn't the day to read this aloud to children. When they getter older and wiser, they'll appreciate what these stories mean.

The four stories contained in this book are full of what Christmas is all about: forgiveness, love, charity, and faith. Family is all important and no matter what emotional baggage and hurts, slights, and grievances there are, for one day at least, all of that is put aside.

I look forward to his next collection of Civil Christmas stories.

A one-armed boy returns from the war, ravaged emotionally, spiritually and (to a surprisingly lesser extent) physically. Having lost his arm, he has also lost his first great love (his betrothed) as well as his way in life. Dead inside, he journeys through an equally deadly snowstorm to return home before Christmas day. His physical journey through the storm is also his emotional and spiritual journey back towards humanity. He is 'physically' saved by a kindred spirit (an impoverished woman), though the salvation of his mind and soul remains his own choice. As in the snowstorm, he journeys through to the other side and finds that goodness is in the giving, not just in the receiving...

An older German soldier, faces daily (albeit minor) persecution from some of his fellow soldiers. While some of his comrades like and protect him, others appear to hate his ancestry as well as his inner ability to rise above his surroundings. Some feel his inner peace and resent him for what they in turn lack. The immigrant arranges for a surprising Christmas gift for his battle-weary comrades...even to those who would give the gift of prejudice in return...

Another young soldier returns home and is greeted by his lovely grandmother. While he expects his grandmother to happily embrace his return, he is unsure how his father will view the homecoming as the war itself remains between them...His grandmother patiently awaits his late night arrival. Unknown to the young soldier, his grandmother has made a far greater voyage of her own. Both of their journeys ultimately involve each of their desires to requite the broken relationship between the grandson and his father, her son...

And finally, a newly freed slave shares his Christmas with the former owners of his yolk. Ironically, the now impoverished female landowner remains a slave to her memories, her racism, and her hatred. It would seem that the freed slave, even when enslaved has always been free; while the free landowner has always been enslaved...

More Please Mr. Parry. The world is richer for your words.

What else is there to say? Those familiar with Mr. Parry's work will recognize the great "voices" he creates and the way the book's world wraps you up like a cozy blanket. If you're not already a Parry fan, just pick this up for a quick, delicious taste. Like sneaking some of the Christmas fixin's before the feast, and you'll want to have more.

If you are in the habit of giving jewels for Christmas, then you should have given this little gem for the holidays! Owen Parry has proved himself the master of the Civil War mystery novel with his Abel Jones series. Now he proves himself the master of the short story with *Our Simple Gifts*, a small collection of four stories set in the American Civil War. Parry again shows his unique flair for character development, as well as mid-19th century American idiom, prejudice and social setting. My favourite was the first story, "Star of Wonder", if only because it is the longest of the four in the book, with consequent fuller character development, but all four are excellent in their way. If you missed the opportunity for reading and giving this year, I strongly suggest you buy now for next year's stocking. One does not even to need to be a christian to enjoy this wonderful offering! Well done, Owen!

Readers of Owen Parry's series of Civil War novels have been the fortunate recipients of his exquisite literary gifts for several years now. With this collection of Civil War Christmas tales, Parry offers a sublime treasure for the holiday season. These are stories of the human spirit prevailing over the ravages of war, of quiet triumphs of hope and kindness over suffering and indignity. With their grace and wonder, these tales offer a welcome respite for anyone seeking the soul of a season now besieged by crass clutter. A perfect Christmas gift from a truly gifted writer.

This was a great break from the normal holiday re-runs. Best read at the end of the day in that easy chair in front the Christmas lights with a hot butter'd rum.....