The Special Guest: A Christmas Story [Hardcover]

Lee Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

In a timeless, heartwarming, and inspirational tale, a family struggles with tragedy, as their little girl lies in a coma following a terrible accident, and comes to learn about the power of love and forgiveness through the charity of a kind stranger. 750,000 first printing. $300,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As do several Christmas books this season, this one transports readers to a simpler, better America that never existed. On the last shopping day before Christmas, teenager Scott Reid, bagging groceries at a supermarket, befriends a mysterious stranger and invites him home for the holiday weekend. The curious old man, whose white bushy eyebrows, old fashioned clothes and cherubic disposition immediately endear him to the unbelievably hospitable Reid family, says his name is Zachery and claims to work for a charitable agency. Zachery soon elicits from the Reids a recital of the sad event that has afflicted the family. Exactly one year ago, Scott's younger sister, whom he was teaching to ride her bicycle, was run down by drunk driver Jake Fincastle; she remains in a coma. In short order, Zachery convinces the Reids to commit "an act of forgiveness"?visit Jake in prison and bring good cheer and food to his wife and children. When the Reids' own lives are next blessed by a double miracle, even the most credulous reader will not be surprised. A series of cliches stitched together by coincidences and facile solutions, one-dimensional characterization, predictable props (hot chocolate, a crackling fire) and issues reduced to the lowest common denominator rob the narrative of suspense, much less inspirational magic. Previously self-published by Allen, this sentimental story drips with a syrupy piety. 75,000 first printing; $300,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575661209
• ISBN-13: 978-1575661209
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This review refers to the audiobook, December 28, 2005

By 

Donna K. "bookcrosser" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Special Guest: A Christmas Story (Audio Cassette)

I wish I would have had the chance before Christmas to play these tapes to my religion classes. Contained within the magical story is a powerful and very important message about forgiveness and freeing oneself of bitterness and resentment. George S. Irving has a delightfully booming James-Earl-Jones-style voice that it felt as if Santa, or even God himself, was the storyteller - his inflections and animations were highly effective!

In the tradition of classics such as It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, The Special Guest is an outstanding, well-presented story. The characters are unselfishly giving, in stark contrast to the self-centered society most of us live in today. The Law of Reciprocity is wonderfully illustrated: when one reaches out to others, they too will be reached out to. We get out of life what we put into it, and Christmas is the perfect time to remind us of what Christianity and the miracle of Christmas is all about!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Special Holiday Story!, December 21, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Special Guest: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

A wonderful short story with a very special message. Even though some of the story line is predictable it still has some twists and turns. This is a good book to share with all family members young and old!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for Everyone, December 13, 2000

By 

"arnwen" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Special Guest: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

I teach a class of 5th and 6th graders. This book was brought to my attention by one of my students. I used it as a read aloud to the class. It was a great Christmas story to send them off to their winter vacation. While there were several Christian references and examples, they were not overbearing to distract from the story's use in a public school. The story was predictible, but it has several lessons including forgiveness, giving to others, kindness, etc. It makes for a good famiy/school tradition.