Saving Mr. Bingle: A New Orleans Christmas Fairy Tale

by Sean P. Doles

Christmas has been a difficult time of year for department store manager Haywood Coleman since the death of his only son, but this year promises to be the worst. A corporate takeover jeopardizes the existence of his store and, along with it, the fate of Mr. Bingle, New Orleans’ beloved Christmas mascot. But a mysterious turn of events propels Coleman into a fight to save the little snow fairy despite it costing him his job, his reputation, and nearly his marriage. When all seems lost, Coleman teams with a young reporter, Hope Lawson, and they learn the heart-breaking truth about Oscar Eisenberg, the original puppeteer and voice behind Mr. Bingle. Their discoveries fuel a campaign that rallies the entire city. Through his struggle to save Mr. Bingle, Coleman honors Oscar Eisenberg’s memory and makes peace with his own painful loss. Inspired by true events, Saving Mr. Bingle is a magical story of redemption and faith that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you appreciate the very miracle of life.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction

180 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, about a large department store conglomerate that takes over a local New Orleans beloved department store and it's honored traditional character, Mr. Bingle. The story is told through the eyes of one of the long-term employees who tries his best to keep Mr. Bingle, and the local traditions alive in the face of a takeover and a young boss who won't even bother to pay attention.

There's a lot in this book that is magical, and it is both sad and bittersweet. But the basic story is one of traditions that people love and that actually mean something to them, and how that is not always a tired or unfashionable thing.

Even better, at the end of the book, I learned that this is based on a true story and the background of the whole thing. Fascinating and lovely for the Christmastime season.

[J. Wiltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much better than I expected it to be. I was thinking it would just be a little junk food for the brain to flip through during the holidays, but it turned out to be one of my favorite Christmas stories ever. I might start reading it every year. Better review incoming, but long story short: read this if you can find it. And Merry Christmas!

[Bertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas story based on Christmas Past - Loved It

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific story for Christmas. Its a quick read that will leave you smiling.