Giovanni's Light: The Story of a Town Where Time Stopped for Christmas

by Phyllis Theroux

Ryland Falls wasn't paradise, but there was a certain storybook quality about the town that made visitors catch their breath. As in a book, the order of the stories never changed. On December first, the Chamber of Commerce always hung out the "Yuletide Greetings" banners, the plastic Santa Claus went back on the top of the firehouse roof, and grumpy Diane at Elwood's Market started wearing her set of imitation reindeer antlers. Yet on this particular Christmas, there were signs that the order of things would change. And when it did, the people in Ryland Falls never celebrated Christmas the same way again. The Christmas spirit is alive and well in this inspiring story about the redeeming power of the imagination and the true nature of compassion.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Holiday

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2002

About the author

Phyllis Theroux is an essayist, columnist, teacher and author. Born in San Francisco, California, she is the critically acclaimed author of numerous books, including "California and Other States of Grace", "Peripheral Visions", "Nightlights: Bedtime Stories for Parents in the Dark", "The Book of Eulogies", "Serefina Under the Circumstances" and "Giovanni’s Light". "The Journal Keeper: A Memoir" was published by Grove Atlantic in March 2010. She is currently conducting journal-keeping seminars during her cross-country book tour for "The Journal Keeper." She lives with her husband, Ragan Phillips in Ashland, Virginia.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's Christmas stories are my favorite collection, and I have accumulated several favorite books over the years.

I haven't found too many adult Christmas books that I have fully appreciated (exceptions: Dickens' A Christmas Carol, O'Henry's The Gift of the Magi, Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory, Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales) and so wasn't expecting anything grand when Giovanni's Light caught my eye at the local library. Giovanni's Light by Phyllis Theroux is a quick read but somewhat enchanting in its quiet little tale of a small town, people too caught up in their own lives to truly appreciate what is around them. It was written eleven years ago; if I can find a copy for myself I will pick it up. Giovanni's Light is a little gem, sparkling in its own quiet way - definitely a keeper.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting an incredible book as the 10 reviews on amazon were all 5 star. This book seemed to be written for elementary school age children. It was really corny. I was surprised at the cliche writing as I'm reading theroux's memoir and it's anything but cliche. This little book reminds me of something you might read in condensed form in a reader's digest.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read to remind you to slow down and enjoy your family and your life.

[Georgetowner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story! I work in Ashland, VA where the author lives so I was interested to read this. It was very enjoyable, and there was one supremely touching bit about a little boys heart being broken. Great Christmas read!

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful little story! A good reminder to slow down during the season of Christmas instead of rushing through it, as we all seem to have a tendency to do.

[Rieta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story. I felt like I had read it before but I couldn't find it listed. Maybe I did read it. Definately worth a second read.

[maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m really biased since phyllis is my friend and neighbor, but it was so incredibly sweet and heartwarming

[Linda May Cohee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cozy short story!

[Theresa Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, different

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars

This is a small, but precious book. Perfect for an hour or two in the days leading up to Christmas. A pretty, well-written reminder to slow down, to savor. I'm so glad I read this.

From the book:
In truth, Giovanni was never ready to leave the mountain. He loved everything about it - how the birds formed a wreath of song around the roof in the early morning, the sound of melting creek tumbling over the rocks in the spring, the way the wind bent the treetops during a storm.

[Harron68 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet, sentimental and very short book. I'd read Phyllis Theroux's "night lights" book and wanted to read more from her. My library had only the Giovanni book. It's very brief, a tale of Christmas lost and found in a small town blanketed by snow.
As I was reading, I thought of the Thomas Kinkade paintings and how cloying they are. The good thing about Giovanni is one can imagine it as sweet as one likes.
I can't give it more than 3 stars, but it would make for a super story to read aloud with the family (children in particular) every year around Christmas.

[Amanda Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was really not much to this book so I was a bit disappointed with it. It had a nice enough theme to it but I felt like it was really lacking both in the story and character development. It felt more like a little story someone might write for a school assignment than a published book. But at least it's a quick read, so it wasn't like I spent a ton of time reading it to come out not caring much for it.

[Alleluialu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this little book out of our local library with several other Christmas books to read for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. It is a good story about a town at the bottom of a mountain that learns to slow down and appreciate what they have and the gifts they have been given. It gave me a nice warm feeling when I finished it which is what you expect from a Christmas novel. Very good!

[Leslie]

This was such an uplifting little gem. Something occurs which stops this little town in its Christmas preparation tracks. The event opens everyone's eyes and hearts. I enjoyed the insights on the pitfalls of our current busy lives and how to stop, ponder and wonder again. Such a treat.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story about a very small town that has gotten caught up in the rat race. It finally snows right before and during Christmas. Everyone is snowed in with no electricity. They have nothing to do so this situation leads to introspection and the recognition of the important things in life.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little story but not really anything that will stick with me. I really liked some of the characters (Giovanni in particular) and would have liked a longer novel with more fleshed out stories for all of them.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sappy (but not bad) Christmas book #3.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a nice and simple book. It was nice to read about Christmas when it is sweltering outside

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read - less than an hour :-)

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. It will put you in the mood for Christmas. Sit down with some hot chocolate and enjoy.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for Christmas gifts; not too hard to read and short, very short!

[Signora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town rediscovers the spirit of Christmas

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little Christmas book. More on http://bookwinked.wordpress.com

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, easy Christmas story. Short.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question this is one of my favorite all-time Christmas stories. We read it year after year and it is always fresh, always full of wonder.

[Jennie Vosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Christmas novella.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet story about stopping to smell the flowers.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of a town where time stopped for Christmas. Nobody was getting into the spirit of Christmas until a huge snowstorm shut down the town.

[Noreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeh, a Christmas book I actually enjoyed. This was a touching story without becoming corny and unrealistic.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about slowing down and enjoying the people and things around you. This book contains a lesson everyone needs to learn.