Lulu's Christmas Story: A True Story of Faith and Hope During the Great Depression

by Ludmilla Bollow

Christmas is eagerly awaited by Lulu, a young girl living in a small Wisconsin town during the Great Depression. Anticipation is transformed into anxiety when Daddy loses his job, doubts about Santa flicker, and that Shirley Temple doll seems further away than ever. Mama reveals her own brutal Christmas as an orphan, adding new worries. But it's Lulu's deep faith and vibrant hope that keeps her looking forward to each new day and the glorious gift of Christmas. In her touching memoir, Ludmilla Bollow, an award-winning playwright and novelist, recounts the year before her family's toughest Christmas. There's a haunting encounter with freaks at a circus sideshow, the heartbreaking loss of the town's recluse who was committed to finding true love, a disastrous Thanksgiving at Grandma's, and, of course, the long-awaited Christmas! Lulu's spirit of love and joy radiates throughout this emotional recall of family life during hard times.

Genres: Christmas, Memoir

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Ludmilla Bollow was born and raised in Wisconsin. She is a prize-winning playwright, a published novelist, and experienced actress. Her plays are published by Samuel French, Broadway Plays and leading Play Anthologies. She has taught playwriting and has been commissioned to write plays. Her short stories, poetry and articles have been published in U.S, England and India. She is the author of Lulu's Christmas Story.

Reviews

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was worried about that Shirley Temple doll

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the e-book on my computer and absolutely love this story! A true story, the author, reviews a full 12 months during 1935, which culminates in the Christmas holiday and her special wish of getting a Shirley Temple Doll. All through the year, Lulu is praying and hoping Santa will bring her the doll. As the months go on, Lulu takes us on a journey of all the holidays and seasons and what her family does. Living during the depression is not easy, and many hardships are endured. I recommend this book for all ages; it is entertaining, informative and gives a glimpse into what it was like living in the 1930's. Great one to include during the holiday season for a family read.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting memoir of Christmas in Manitowoc during the depression. My husband remembered some of the businesses, the county fair, the rich homes location versus the poorer homes so it made it all the more interesting.
Although times were tough, it appeared the family was better off than some others. I am happy that Lulu's Christmas wish came true.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every bit of this book! I discovered it in December 2021 and I’ve read it each December since then. I think it would make a wonderful movie too. I am always looking for non-romance historical fiction books and movies about Christmas (particularly ones set in the first half of the 20th century) and haven’t had muck luck, but this fit the bill so perfectly. It’s a fun, fast, easy read.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much going on in this book. Too simplistic for my taste. It relates the story of little girl growing up in Manitowoc during the depression.

[Judi Simmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated it high as I grew up in Manitowoc

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir's subtitle describes the book pretty well.

Ludmilla, called Lulu by everyone, is the fourth of six children in the Resik family. She recounts a happy year in her childhood when everything seemed possible, and when she took the first steps from childhood to girlhood. There is plenty of sadness and distress in this large family during tough times. Their father lost his job when the factory closed, and Mama has to clean house for a wealthy doctor’s family to earn some extra money. But they manage to enjoy life – picnics by a river, visits with the farm relatives, a special school play and the hope of a magical Christmas.

It’s a charming memoir of a time gone by.

[Mickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was entertaining and each chapter had its own story. Make sure you read the author's notes at the end, interesting. It is neat to think this book was written by someone in her mid 80s. I don't have that good of memory of my childhood.

[Alice Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved spending a year with Lulu! Her memoir captures the building spirit of Christmas in young and old alike.