A Christmas Blizzard

This is a clever and humorous take off on a Dickens' tale 2010-04-27

Reviewer: Israel Drazin

Garrison Keillor, the well-known radio figure on Prairie Home Companion and author of more than a dozen and a half books, wrote this funny novel about somewhat queer and comical people in humorous situations. James Sparrow made hundreds of millions of dollars selling a health product made from grass that coyotes ate during mating season. The food works on about twenty percent of the people who eat it. They are energized and can begin work early and end it late and awake each morning feeling fresh and ambitious. It does not work on James Sparrow.
Sparrow has several somewhat disabling hang-ups developed during his childhood. He hates Christmas, although married to a woman who overly adores the holiday. He remembers how his mother put up a Christmas tree, but was constantly, without let up, fearful that the tree would catch fire, so she doused it occasionally with water. His father complained every Christmas that his wife, James' mother, was spending too much money on gifts. So James was given a five year old used book with its original inscription that showed it was a gift to someone else.
Somehow, although she denies it, James' mother taught him not to place his tongue on a frozen pole because the tongue would stick to the pole. This developed into an obsessive fear. James is constantly afraid that he will stick his tongue on a frozen pole. Once he stuck his tongue on a shower pole during his shower and burnt his tongue.
James wants to get away from Christmas by flying to Hawaii on his private plane. He owns a home in Kuhikuhikapapa'u'maumau. His wife catches the flu and is unable to travel. James decides to go alone, but stops in North Dakota during an usually fierce blizzard to see his uncle who he thinks is dying. The storm strands him and he goes to stay in an isolated fishing shack so that he can be alone. There he meets a wolf, a lady with big hair, and a Chinese wise man. The three teach him the great secret of life. Then, like Scrooge in Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol, his life changes.

HIGHLY ANNOYING BACKGROUND MUSIC RUINS THIS PRESENTATION 2010-02-26

Reviewer: treffler2

Even Keillor's excellent voice can't get past the distracting parade of piano and guitar exercises going on behind him. I stopped listening after the first disc. There was no warning on the box or amazon website that music accompanied the reading. Had I known,I'd not have bought this set. I'd like my money refunded. .

A Christmas Blizzard 2010-01-12

Reviewer: Chet A. Pease

The story is great but the press quality is poor. It's as if the binder operator had a dull blade because the pages are all chip-chopped at varying sizes. I expect more when purchasing hardcover books. Then again perhaps it was meant to be this way...

A New Seasonal Classic 2010-01-10

Reviewer: Natalie Dressed

I bought Garrison Keillor's audio performance of his newest short novel to supplement the book, and to add to my collection of seasonal favorites. It is, in my opinion, an instant classic.

This is a non-sectarian and gently humorous Christmas story with a pleasant Dickensian resonance: a successful businessman finds that his unhappy and long-ignored childhood memories are important to face, understand and forgive, to assure his future happiness.

To read A Christmas Blizzard is but one way to enjoy Mr. Keillor's writing; to listen to him read this work aloud in his uniquely warm, soothing light baritone is something else again. I like to think the experience is akin to hearing Charles Dickens perform A Christmas Carol during one of his 19th century American tours -- a memorable event but, alas, unable to be preserved for posterity.

Luckily, 21st century book lovers don't have to miss out on their favorite authors' readings of their own works. This, Mr. Keillor's fine vocal performance of A Christmas Blizzard is an endlessly repeatable and highly recommended event, as is almost anything he does. Like Charles Dickens, he is a national treasure.

Some Real Keillor Gems in this Book 2010-01-08

Reviewer: John W. Mitchell

Does anyone else notice how edgy Garrison Keillor is getting as he ages? His characters and observations have a new bite, kind of like telling a dirty joke in church. This novella has a great premise, but gets a little bit mystical near the end - which was good reason for keeping it short. All-in-all, though, it got me in the holiday spirit (in the middle of a move, no less) and was a good Lake Woebegon read.