Customer Reviews

Twas the Night Before: A Christmas Allegory

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, when Christmas comes around, most people think of the mob scene that is Christmas shopping. However, in this easy, fun, and over-much-too-soon read, the spirit and the miracle of Christmas can be lived. The story of Noella and Tom is destined to become a classic, even though I don't believe that it's well-know as of yet. Hopefully that will change. Anyway, this is truly a great read and I hope that you will enjoy it too.

This is a short book, but one of the most charming and magical Christmas books I've read in many a year! Taking place in Chicago, it's about two people who have quite differing views on the reality of Santa Claus, and how those beliefs pulls them apart and ultimately brings them back together again. I think it ranks right up there with O'Henry, and "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". An easy read that is over much too quickly and will become a book that's read every Christmas season. I fell in love with it! (And have sent copies as gifts to people ---- it's that good!)

Northwestern University journalist professor Noella Wright invites highly regarded newspaper reporter Tom Douton to provide a lecture to her students. Cynical Tom, who champions the working class, refuses to step into the fantasy world of academia until Noella erodes away his reluctance.

When they actually meet, he begins to fall in love with the rosy-colored professor, who is his diametrical opposite in outlook. Their relationship grows until Noella begins to wear a pendant that she insists was given to her as a child by Santa Claus. He refuses to be associated with an educated lunatic and ends their relationship. Needing an article for his part of the newspaper's annual Christmas edition, Tom flies to the Black Forest in Germany to learn more about the heritage of the holiday. His plane crashes and he is mysteriously rescued even as Noella is willing to suspend her beliefs in order for them to find happiness together.

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE may not be quite THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, but fans of seasonal romances will devour this interesting (though far-fetched) tale. The lead protagonists may be total opposites in perspective, but share much in common, which is why their relationship seems plausible. The story line is clearly and purposely a grand canyon of a stretch. However, fans of Yuletide romance who suspend reality for a few hours will simply enjoy Jerry B. Jenkins' fantasy love story that leaves no one left behind when it comes to feeling good.

Harriet Klausner

A delightful little holiday book about the eternal Miss Optimistic falling in love with the ultimate Mr. Negative. While it takes a little Christmas magic for the fellow to "believe", both characters face some challenges to long-held beliefs which threaten their love. Easy, comfortable, happy reading.

I have read an advance copy of this book, and it's one of the most heartwarming books I've ever read. Although the following phrase is a cliche, I really did "get swept away by the fantasy." The dialogue and treatment of the relationship of the main characters is realistic and romantic. This is in development as a tv movie--destined to become a classic.

What a great Christmas Read. I've read it twice now, both times it was an all nighter! Such a great story! You'll be crying tears of joy, for sure! A great Christmas Gift as well, very nicely done!

Going into this book, I was expecting an all-out tale of Christmas wonderment; what I got was 40 pages of great Christmas cheer, and 160 pages of "blah." The first half of the book details the lives of two career-people in love. There is tons of characterization, and you really get to know the characters...but there is zero action, and this part of the book just drags on forever (although if you like reading about intellectuals in love, you'll be in heaven). To make matters worse, I didn't find either of the characters very appealing, and the love story is sacharine sweet and borders on hokey.
The third quarter of the book revolves around a plane crash in which one of the characters is severely injured and ends up crawling around in the woods, on hands and knees, looking for help - sometimes with the will to get back to his true love, and at other times wishing he would just die (Ho, Ho, Ho - if this aint the Christmas spirit, I don't know what is).
Luckily, the book really comes to life in the final quarter, as our hero encounters Santa Claus. I found this last bit to be really wonderful, with some clever ideas about Santa. The only real fault with the ending of the book is that it feels disjointed from the rest of the story - it is far too brief, feels rushed, and the characterization goes down to zero.
The ending saved this book from getting a lower score, but all in all, this is another dissapointing holiday story. If you want to get to the "Christmassy" part of the book, simply start with the last quarter (you actually won't miss out on too much).

Our family usually reads a book together at Christmas; my mother found this monstrosity in a Christian book store... we only finished it because we all found it so hilariously bad. One of my favorite lines is 'to others it may have looked like a casual kiss, but he knew how she really felt when she brushed his lips with her tongue." The whole book is filled with this sort of clumsy writing. This book might be worth a penny just for the amusement, but how it was every published is beyond me. I mean-- the main characters' names are Tom Douten (perhaps.. could this mean... "doubting Thomas"?) and Noella Wright. Please.

I'm not sure this book was meant to be Hemingway, but if you want to read a touching, beautiful Christmas love story, this is it. I laughed, I cried (as did my wife), and I was almost cheering at the end. I can't believe I haven't seen more about this book! I heard about it from a friend, bought it, and now I'm telling everyone about it. PLEASE do yourself a favor and buy this book as soon as possible. I heard a rumor this was going to be a movie...if so, can't wait!!!

Okay, credit to the author for a novel idea and a cute storyline that tries to make believers out of all of us. In the tradition of Richard Evans and other simple-plot writers, this is a neat little love story with a Christmas theme. I read it in about an hour and found the story charming. On the other hand, the writing is mundane, the characters' thoughts spelled out to the nth degree (she wanted to kiss him, he wanted to see her...) to the point that it almost took the magic out of the story. At times it felt like a poor version of writer's workshop. Still, the story has merit and I don't think the author aspired to great literary heights -- I apologize if I'm being too harsh, but the writing just wasn't as good as the idea. If you want a quick read and an inspiring love story, you won't regret it, but if you're looking for literature, you have the wrong book.