Racconti di Natale

by Louisa May Alcott, Milena Finazzi (Translator)

Il volume raccoglie i più bei racconti dedicati al Natale dall’autrice di Piccole donne. Alle indimenticabili pagine del suo romanzo capolavoro – in cui Jo e le altre «piccole donne» vivono i magici momenti d’attesa della Vigilia – si affianca qui, tra gli altri, il commovente Che cosa può fare l’amore, in cui gli ospiti di un pensionato si riuniscono per offrire a due ragazze meno fortunate un momento di festa e di gioia. Apprezzatissimi in vita dell’autrice, questi racconti di Louisa May Alcott ci regalano un intenso e avvincente spaccato della vita nell’America dell’Ottocento e riassumono in sé, attraverso il richiamo a valori come generosità, benevolenza e amore, lo spirito senza tempo del Natale. Completano la raccolta: La scelta di Kate, Una ragazza tranquilla, Il Natale di Tilly, Il racconto di Rosa, La teiera di Mrs. Podgers.

Genres: Christmas, Classics, Short Stories, Fiction, Holiday, Historical Fiction, Classic Literature

125 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 1875

About the author

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Good Wives (1869), Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Raised in New England by her transcendentalist parents, Abigail May Alcott and Amos Bronson Alcott, she grew up among many well-known intellectuals of the day, including Margaret Fuller, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Alcott's family suffered from financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used pen names such as A.M. Barnard, under which she wrote lurid short stories and sensation novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts, and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters, Abigail May Alcott Nieriker, Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, and Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt. The novel was well-received at the time and is still popular today among both children and adults. It has been adapted for stage plays, films, and television many times.
Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She also spent her life active in reform movements such as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in Boston on March 6, 1888, just two days after her father's death.

Reviews

[Kat (Books are Comfort Food) · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Sometimes when we least expect it, a small cross proves a lovely crown, a seemingly unimportant event becomes a lifelong experience, or a stranger becomes a friend.”

This is a sweet book for short stories written by Louise May Alcott. All revolve around Christmas and the spirit of giving. I thoroughly enjoyed these stories, especially: Kates Choice, Riley’s Christmas, What Love Can Do, Rosa’s Tale. All of these focused on the needs of others and how things can change with a single, kind gesture.

I definitely recommend this lovely book with inspirational short stories.

”Kate’s loving heart returned her grandmother’s love and pledged her the tender reverence, which is the beautiful tribute the young should pay the old.”

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 4 stars

This is a compilation of seven of Louisa May Alcott’s best Christmas stories. I did skip one of them, A Merry Christmas, as it is a chapter out of Little Women, which I plan to read in 2021. This holiday season I decided I was more in the mood for historical stories, especially those that represent the true meaning of Christmas.

I have not read Little Women. Shocker, I know. But my interest was piqued when I learned my 2019 book-of-the-year Mrs. Everything is inspired by Ms. Alcott’s Little Women. Curious, I searched Ms. Alcott’s Goodreads site to peruse her life works. When looking for historical Christmas reads this year, I recalled she has written many seasonal stories and novellas and found this little book offered by the Libby App. What a wonderful set of stories! Most of the six that I read are unique and so well written. We are treated to a talking horse, a very special teapot, a dazzling display of neighborly friendship, a little bird who is really a Christmas angel, a quiet little orphan girl, and a very important choice to make. I would be remiss not to mention the author’s most elegant way of transporting the reader back to the 19th century. Sometimes I wish we were still in that era.

Next December I will again be delving into Ms. Alcott’s Christmas works as I have just ordered Louisa May Alcott’s Christmas Treasury, a complete set of her Christmas short stories and novellas. I can hardly wait for Christmas 2021! I highly recommend Merry Christmas and Other Christmas Stories to all readers as an introduction to this author’s wonderful holiday stories.

[Albus Eugene Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Dio ti benedica, cara!»

L’autrice di Piccole donne ci regala alcuni racconti natalizi ambientati negli Stati Uniti della seconda metà dell’Ottocento. Raccontini datati e oleografici; con tanti buoni sentimenti e fumanti tazze di the, accompagnate dalle Carole di Natale e dalle letterine di una volta, con la neve e gli angioletti color pastello, e quei brillantini che ti ritrovavi sulle dita dopo aver scritto il tuo ... componimento.
Ma li ho letti con piacere e mi sono anche commosso; ho sorriso e ho respirato l’aria da buoni sentimenti che mi fa amare il Natale da quando ero cinno.
Lo so, mi faccio vedere, ma ... dopo Natale ...

[[ J o ] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am far too Yorkshire for Louisa May's unending sentimentality.



[ to review at a later date - perhaps even re-read and review at a later date as well, though not urgent ]

[Sharon Ouderkirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

In keeping with the 19th century tradition of writing, Alcott was an unabashed sentimentalist. She wrote to entertain, but also to change the world that she lived in. Her downtrodden heroines were often pitiable, but good and pure. She didn't mix the attributes of her characters; if she wanted you to cheer for a particular character, you could be sure of the worthiness of her soul. Unlike Dickens who focused on politics and the economy in his crusading novels, Alcott appealed to a reader's sense of right and wrong: she wrote about kindness, and trusted people to do the right thing, if only they could be made to think about the situation.
In this collection of Christmas stories, compassion is queen, and the various stories all lead down the same road to happy endings. 'A Merry Christmas' is an excerpt from Little Women, but the other stories stand alone. In 'Kate's Choice' a wealthy orphan decides which family member to live with based on her assessment of who needs her the most. 'The Quiet Little Woman' tells the tale of an overlooked servant girl, whose only Christmas wish is for a kind word to be said to her. In 'Tilly's Christmas' (my personal favourite), Tilly is rewarded for an unselfish act with her best Christmas ever. 'What Love Can Do' tells of a chain reaction of giving that makes Christmas Day merry and bright for all. 'Rosa's Tale' is about a horse who talks at midnight on Christmas Eve, and tells his listener of his hard life - very Black Beauty, both written in the late 1870s. I'd be curious to know which one was published first. 'Mrs. Podger's Teapot' was the least of the stories, about long time friends, who discover their love for each other.
I re-read this book on a rainy day while I lie in bed with a bad cold. It was good company, kept me feeling warm and fuzzy, and eased me into the Christmas season.

[Magrat Ajostiernos · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://cronicasenferrocarril.blogspot...

Este volumen recoge varios cuentos navideños de la autora de 'Mujercitas' (de hecho incluye el capítulo navideño de dicho libro), y yo lo he disfrutado como una niña.
Es la lectura perfecta para navidad, cargada de personajes bondadosos, esperaza dentro de la pobreza y llena de valiosas enseñanzas.
Siete historias clásicas y totalmente entrañables en un inglés muy asequible :)

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND OTHER STORIES by Louisa May Alcott is a collection of seven short Christmas stories written by Alcott. I was a little scared to start reading them, because I LOVED Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men and Jo's Boys, but could I love all of her writing THAT much?! It seemed impossible. Turned out: it IS possible. I loved every single story in this book. I eased into it with the Christmas chapter from Little Women, which is so cute, beautiful, with a great morale behind it. And this last part is something Alcott was able to intertwine into each of these short stories. Mostly, I think Alcott wants to teach us to think of people who don't have it as good as you and do something small and special for them. Don't just think of your own desires. Do good. Be kind. Care. Love each other. Treat the other as you would want to be treated. The families, friendships, neighbourly bonds in this book were so beautiful to read about and Alcott is a queen in bundling up the Christmas spirit into her words. Is it the 24th already? Go read this book if you want to forget your own world for a bit and get wrapped up in someone else's and remind yourself of what Christmas is really about. Also, this edition is just amazing, the cover is beautiful, the font style is very pleasant and the quality of the book is impressive. I'm rating this book with ★★★★★

[midnightfaerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviews for each of the short works within this book


Gwen's Adventure in the Snow


Rosa's Tale


What Polly Found in her Stocking


A Hospital Christmas


A Country Christmas


Mrs. Podgers' Teapot


Peace From Heaven


The Quiet Little Woman


A Christmas Dream and How it came True


A song


Kate's Choice


Bertie's Box


What love can do


Tessa’s Surprises


A Christmas Turkey


Becky’s Christmas Dream


A Merry Christmas (from Little Women)


A New Way to Spend Christmas


Tilly’s Christmas

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely compilation of some of Alcott’s Christmas stories. Many were sweet and most heartwarming. This is a great example of the kind classic Christmas stories I enjoy reading.

[Stacey | prettybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mini review is part of a blogpost talking about three children's classics.

I cannot resist adorable Christmas stories, especially when they're as beautiful as Penguin's new Christmas Classic series. I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more books for the rest of the year, but then I went on a spontaneous trip last month to Foyles with Daphne and came across Merry Christmas and Other Stories. I bought it because I figured I'd have to wait another year to read it otherwise! It was a lovely book for me to read this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – charming and delightful, but with an emphasis on those who are not fortunate as others and the importance of charity. An extract from Little Women is included as part of the collection and so I had to pick that as my next classic...

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.04⭐

A Merry Christmas 4⭐
Kate’s Choice 3.25⭐
The Quiet Little Woman 3.75⭐
Tilly’s Christmas 4⭐
What Love Can Do 4.25⭐
Rosa’s Tale 4.5⭐
Mrs. Podgers’ Teapot 4.5⭐

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a hot chocolate with your favorite Christmas cookie and a candy cane! It was that sweet and warm. I feel I needed to read this book this Christmas considering all the anger and hate this year. Louisa May Alcott wrote this after her time as a volunteer nurse in the Civil War as well as her classic, Little Women, so to come out of that experience with something heartwarming and hopeful is quite encouraging! Merry Christmas!

[Rikke · Rating 4 out of 5]

As heartwarming, wonderful and beautiful as one would expect any story by Louisa May Alcott to be. Like a comforting cup of cocoa this little book filled me with warmth, hope and Christmas cheer just when I needed it the most.

Cannot recommend this highly enough!

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of Christmas spirit and fuzzy feelings.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: For all those readers who are suckers for sappy Hallmark channel original movies: this book’s for you.

A Merry Christmas- 3/5
When they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts, and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.

There’s not a whole lot to tell with this one, mainly because this short story isn’t a standalone short story at all. It’s the second chapter of Alcott’s most famous work, Little Women. The March sisters find out that the neighbor family who loves next door doesn’t have anything to eat, so they give up their breakfast, to be rewarded in return. This story pretty much answered my question of why people seem to think that it’s a Christmas book, since it’s my families’ tradition to read it in the springtime.

Again, there’s not a whole lot to say about this story, other than it’s a nice sample of the book to dip your toes in. But if the editors think that including this chapter is going to make up for Jo’s decision, they better think again.

Katie’s Choice- 4/5
”’You are an angel in the house. How can I ever give you up?’

‘You never need to, Grandma, for I have made my choice.’”

My grandma lives in a retirement home. We visit her at least once a week and my mother calls her twice a day. But I’ve always noticed that some people aren’t so lucky. It’s as if once their children move out or away, their all but forgotten, left to live in their little apartment complex all alone with no family to come see them. My grandmother is friends with this one woman whose family always promises to come visit her. Every Sunday she gets all dressed up and goes down to wait in the lobby, but no one ever shows up. It’s so heartbreaking to see.

Katie is a little orphan girl bouncing between relatives she doesn’t know so she can decide where she wants to live. One place she stays is her grandmother’s house, where she finally belongs, bringing joy not only to her, but to her grandmother as well. It was my favorite story in the book, if only to remind me to truly treasure my loved ones and make sure, no matter how busy I am, to take time for them, since they’ve done so much for me.

The Quiet Little Women- 4/5
”’Oh, if someone would only come and take me away! I’m so tired of living here, and I don’t think I can bear it much longer.’”

A little girl living in an orphanage who is constantly looked over for adoption never gives up hope of finding a forever family. And when all hope is lost, it’s found in the unlikeliest of places. This one had the most Hallmark quality to it, as if it would pop up on your television screen any moment with the string music blaring and a trailer voice-over guy providing the background narration. It was a sweet, touching story on how if you just take the time to look at someone, really look at them, you might find something worthwhile.

Tilly’s Christmas- 3.5/5
”’Never mind, birdie. We’ll make the best of what we have and be merry in spite of our lack. You shall have a happy Christmas, anyway, and I know God won’t forget us, even if everyone else has.’”

Doesn’t that quote just tug at your heartstrings? It’s Little Match Girl heartbreaking, I tell ya. This story and the one after that basically follow the same plot; a kindhearted girl living in bitter poverty does something kind while wishing for things she wants but can’t have. A miserly or indifferent person hears them and makes their dreams come true. A simple plot, but I’m a sucker for it every single time.

What Love Can Do- 3.5/5
’You see, when people once begin to do kindnesses, it is so easy and pleasant, they find it hard to leave it off.

See above summary. Except in this case, the whole boarding house the girl lives in gets involved. I imagine that this is what a Go Fund Me would look like back in the old days.

Rosa’s Tale- 3/5
”’I wish our Rosa could speak, if only for an hour. I’m sure she has an interesting history, and I long to know all about it.”

Before Black Beauty, there was Rosa the horse. Because all things magical happen on Christmas (cause clichés, y’all), a horse is given the ability to talk and proceeds to tell their current owner all about their life like a great war hero sometimes does. I will have to give this to Rosa; she has a lot of self-confidence about herself. But other than this book being set around Christmas, I didn’t quite flow with the rest of the stories. It wasn’t really a Christmas story at all, if we’re completely honest here. It was perfectly alright, but it just felt out of place.

Mrs. Podger’s Teapot- 2/5
”’You taught me to find duty waiting for me at my own door; and, putting by your own trouble, you’ve helped to make this day the happiest Christmas of my life.’”

This had the potential to be a good short story... If I could’ve understood what the hell the characters were actually saying. Departing from her usual setting of Massachusetts, Alcott takes us to jolly Old England to tell us a story about a teapot… and kindness… and other things that I’m sure were grand. I couldn’t make heads or tails of it though.
****************
If Louisa May Alcott were living in the present day, she's be a fantastic screenwriter for the Hallmark channel. If you love your Christmas cheer with a dash of corniness and a heaping dose of sentimentality and sappiness, you'll love this book. If you're a Scrooge, you'll drop-kick it out the window. If you're indifferent, you'll find these pleasant.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll just be sitting in the corner being permanently bitter about Jo's choice.

[Katelyn Potter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas short stories... A good short read to bring on holiday cheer.

[Camelia ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se, come affermò il Sunday Telegraph esattamente trent’anni fa, Charles Dickens fu “l’uomo che inventò il Natale”, non c’è dubbio che Louisa May Alcott sia stata invece la donna che ha saputo rappresentarne al meglio la dimensione più intima e familiare.
Per accorgersene è sufficiente dedicare qualche ora ai suoi Racconti di Natale: un autentico inno ai valori tradizionali, attraverso cui riscoprire ed assaporare le atmosfere inconfondibili dei Natali di una volta.

Quando ho iniziato la lettura di questa raccolta, le aspettative, lo ammetto, non erano delle più elevate: temevo, infatti, d’imbattermi nell’ennesima selezione di racconti moraleggianti in perfetto stile “Famiglia March”, innaffiati di melassa e corredati dall’imprescindibile lieto fine dove i buoni trionfano, e gli egoisti (perché immaginare la presenza di un “cattivo” vero e proprio in questo genere letterario, sarebbe davvero troppo) si redimono…
E in effetti, va detto, le mie previsioni non sono state disattese.
Tuttavia, sarà stato merito del clima natalizio, di una disposizione d’animo particolarmente favorevole, o di quell’irreprimibile nostalgia per i Natali dell’infanzia che puntualmente fa capolino ogni anno nel mese di dicembre, ma questa volta – devo rendergliene atto – Louisa May mi ha conquistata.

I sei racconti – sette in realtà, con il trascurabilissimo capitolo iniziale di Piccole donne (La Notte di Natale)– non brillano forse per l’originalità della trama né per lo spessore dei personaggi, ma possiedono un merito probabilmente ancor più lodevole, soprattutto in un’epoca come la nostra: quello di scaldare il cuore del lettore e di riaccendere, sia pur nel breve spazio di una lettura natalizia, la voglia di tornare a credere nella vita e a confidare nel prossimo.

Sono storie di grande semplicità quelle narrate dalla Alcott, storie umanissime e nel contempo un po’ fiabesche il cui valore non risiede certamente nella complessità di ciò che raccontano, bensì nella capacità di rievocare ricordi; di richiamare alla mente e ai sensi le impressioni di quei Natali ormai distanti, più poveri forse, ma pervasi dalla trepidazione dell’attesa, dall’entusiasmo per i preparativi, e dall’illusione che, in quella notte di festa, tutto potesse accadere…

Un po’ come succede, ad esempio, ne Il racconto di Rosa, dove, nella Santa Notte, un’anziana cavalla acquista il dono della parola per narrare ad una ragazzina incredula il proprio passato di campionessa delle corse…
O in Una ragazza tranquilla, la cui protagonista, un’orfana sola al mondo, riesce a conquistare l’affetto della famiglia per cui lavora grazie alla semplice bontà d’animo.

È in questa stessa ottica che s’inseriscono la storia di Dolly e Grace, Che cosa può fare l’amore, due sfortunate sorelle a cui, i vicini di casa, decidono di regalare un indimenticabile Natale, e quella di Mrs Podgers, una facoltosa vedova che grazie alle sue ricchezze, ma soprattutto al suo buon cuore, salva dalla miseria un bimbo abbandonato e trova così la felicità tanto a lungo desiderata.

Certo, l’idea che un uomo avaro si trasformi in un novello Babbo Natale dopo aver udito casualmente le aspirazioni di una ragazzina povera (come avviene ne Il Natale di Tilly), o che l’altruismo spontaneo di una giovane nipote spinga un’intera famiglia di egoisti ad occuparsi finalmente – e di buon grado – dell’anziana madre da anni abbandonata a se stessa (è il caso de La scelta di Kate), hanno senza dubbio il sapore un po’ ingenuo e zuccheroso dell’utopia, ed è innegabile che di quando in quando l’aperta indulgenza della scrittrice – più volte incline a suggerire che chi agisce male non lo faccia per egoismo, noncuranza o cattiveria, bensì per una pura e incolpevole ignoranza del bene – possa risultare un tantino stucchevole.

Tuttavia sarebbe troppo facile, e indubbiamente ingiusto, puntare il dito contro il sentimentalismo dell’autrice: perché in questa nostra società accecata dalla frenesia pre-festiva e sempre più avvezza a confondere la ricchezza col successo personale, e la sincera bontà d’animo con la debolezza, leggere le storie di Louisa May Alcott significa innanzitutto riappropriarsi del significato più autentico e profondo del Natale non solo sul piano religioso e spirituale, ma anche e soprattutto sotto il profilo umano.

Ed è per questo che Racconti di Natale è un libro da leggere e rileggere: perché il suo messaggio, lungi dall’essere banale, possa accompagnarci non solo a Natale, ma ogni giorno dell’anno, e trasformarsi per noi nell’opportunità di riflettere sulle nostre vite e, nel nostro piccolo, di provare a cambiarle in meglio.

>>> Qui LA RECENSIONE SUL BLOG

[Beth Bonini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really objective on the subject of Little Women; it's been a part of my life for so long, and the characters feel like part of my own family. As it starts with a famous Christmas scene, it has long been associated in my mind with books that feature Christmas. And even though it makes much of the Christian virtues of charity, benevolence and even self-sacrifice, the vibrant personalities of the characters - and in particular that of Jo - keep the novel from feeling too wholesome and preachy. I can't say the same about the rest of the stories in this collection. Unless really simplistic and pious stories appeal to you, I think most readers will find this collection full of fluff and treacle. Many of the stories do feature the underdogs of society - poor children living in boarding houses, or an orphan working as a house servant - but the story feels like it IS about the moral, and not much else. I did enjoy the last story in the collection, Mrs. Podgers' Teapot, a bit more, mostly because the characters had a bit more life to them, but overall I thought these Christmas stories lacked interest. Better to reread A Christmas Carol if you want to read about Victorian Christmas. 2.5 stars

[Federica Rampi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A volte, quando meno ce l’aspettiamo, una piccola croce si trasforma in una superba corona, un avvenimento apparentemente privo di importanza diventa un’esperienza fondamentale. Oppure un estraneo diventa un amico. "

Piccole donne è solo solo una dimensione delle storie di Natale di Louisa May Alcott.

Questa raccolta racchiude racconti teneri e commoventi che celebrano il miracolo di Natale e il suo vero spirito, fatto di generosità spontanea, speranza e fiducia, capaci di regalare un attimo di gioia a chi non ha niente

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why why why don't they write books like this anymore?

Modern short stories are lacking (at least the ones I've read). These short stories were beautiful and we, the reader, did not suffer any by reading them. There was nothing missing. Well except for more stories. I was sad when it ended!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas stories by Alcott with the moral of giving to the poor.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little book of heartwarming Christmas stories.

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun collection of Louisa May Alcott's Christmas stories. The stories were heartwarming and perfect for curling up with on a cold December night.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet collection of 7 short Christmas stories, including one with the March family. I really enjoyed reading these.

[Melanie THEE Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes when we least expect it, a small cross proves a lovely crown, a seemingly unimportant event becomes a lifelong experience, or a stranger becomes a friend."

A balm for the soul and a beautiful, heartwarming read. Would highly recommend this anthology to anyone needing to get into the holiday spirit.

[Lindsay]

So wholesome 😭

[Natasha Andreou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried after finishing each story. Such great writing, so much Christmas spirit in every story!

[lindalettrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

❄️Primo post del nuovo anno quindi vi rinnovo i miei auguri di un felice 2024 e spero che abbiate passato delle feste ricche di cibo, libri e momenti sereni 🍾

❄️Ma torniamo al Natale, perché si, devo ancora parlarvi di alcuni libri in tema natalizio e anche stavolta, grazie ad una lettura festiva, ho potuto scoprire un’autrice che non avevo mai letto. Louisa May Alcott è una scrittrice americana del 1800, famosa per la serie “Piccole donne”, che vorrei leggere quanto prima.

❄️Nel testo sono presenti dei racconti natalizi (alcuni tratti appunto da “Piccole donne”) che ho letto con molto piacere. La scrittura fluida e semplice dell’autrice mi ha molto colpita, inoltre essendo racconti non troppo brevi mi hanno permesso di apprezzare il contesto ed i personaggi. Non sono mancati i momenti in cui mi sono commossa leggendo queste storie emozionanti, ho empatizzato fin da subito con la scrittura dell’autrice che con le sue parole riesce ad arrivare dritta al cuore.

❄️Una lettura natalizia leggera ma non troppo, comunque poco impegnativa se desiderate staccare da tutto per un momento e godervi un ottimo racconto.

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read a short Christmas Story by Louisa May Alcott which was part of a collection with various authors. I have not yet read "Little Women" but have seen the Katherine Hepburn and also the June Alyson movie versions, so the first short story in this collection is old hat to me. I enjoyed all but the part which is about the girls giving a play. I don't know what it is but in the movie versions my aversion and dislike of this section is present and while I was reading I just could not get into that. Maybe, it has to do with the play's subject which is boring. I enjoyed the rest but I must admit I loved the other stories in this collection. Will I read "Little Women"? Yes, but I am not in a hurry.

The stories-
1) A Merry Christmas - my comments above.


2) Kate's Choice- I am not sure if this is from a novel of hers but this short story was quite enjoyable and had such a moral to it which has such a great message.
A young girl who lived in England with her father until he died as her grandmother too. She comes to America to live and must chose which relative to live with.


3)The Quiet Little Woman- This is one of my favorites! An orphan with a crooked shoulder who is 13 years old and no prospects of finding a family. She dreams of a loving family but is only brought to a home to be a servant.


4)Tilly's Christmas - I loved this short story of a poor girl who has little but helps a little wounded bird which the other girls think is silly.


5) What Love Can Do- I liked this one too! A poor family with the recent loss of their father are too poor to have a Christmas.


6) Rosa's Tale- A horse has an hour on Christmas Eve to talk to a young girl. (Mr. Ed - TV show but without comedy)


7) Mrs. Podger's Teapot- My absolute favorite in this collection. Mrs. Podger learns about her husband's generosity.


An upbeat Christmas collection testimony to the human spirit which leaves you with warm Christmas cheer!🎄🎄💟💟🎄🎄💖💖🎄🎄💟💟🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alcott's stories are filled with lovely and humble people. Her books are all about virtues, but do not feel like a lecture at all. This book is a collection of wonderful Christmas stories encompassing all that is wonderful about this time of year.