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The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus
In this new holiday classic, Tim Slover crafts a marvelous, magical novel about how Santa Claus became the man he is today. After reading The Christmas Chronicles , you’ll believe all over again in the magic of the season.
Snow is falling, and the clock ticks toward midnight on Christmas Eve while countless children, too excited to sleep, anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. But in Tim Slover’s deeply charming and utterly thrilling new novel, that’s the end rather than the beginning of the story. In this richly imagined tale of Santa’s origins, the man in full finally emerges. The Christmas Chronicles is at once an action-packed adventure, an inspiring story of commitment and faith, and a moving love story.
It all starts in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned and adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with an infectious laugh and an unparalleled gift for making toys. His talent and generosity uniquely equip him to bestow hundreds of gifts on children at Christmas—and to court the delightful Anna, who enters his life on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher and becomes his beloved wife.
Still, all is not snowfall and presents. Klaus will be shadowed by the envious Rolf Eckhof, who will stop at nothing to subvert him. But in the end, Santa’s magic is at last unleashed, flying reindeer come to his aid, and an epic battle between good and evil is waged in the frosty Christmas skies.
By turns enchanting, hair-raising, and inspirational, The Christmas Chronicles is a beguiling tale destined to become a holiday favorite for the ages.
Snow is falling, and the clock ticks toward midnight on Christmas Eve while countless children, too excited to sleep, anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. But in Tim Slover’s deeply charming and utterly thrilling new novel, that’s the end rather than the beginning of the story. In this richly imagined tale of Santa’s origins, the man in full finally emerges. The Christmas Chronicles is at once an action-packed adventure, an inspiring story of commitment and faith, and a moving love story.
It all starts in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned and adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with an infectious laugh and an unparalleled gift for making toys. His talent and generosity uniquely equip him to bestow hundreds of gifts on children at Christmas—and to court the delightful Anna, who enters his life on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher and becomes his beloved wife.
Still, all is not snowfall and presents. Klaus will be shadowed by the envious Rolf Eckhof, who will stop at nothing to subvert him. But in the end, Santa’s magic is at last unleashed, flying reindeer come to his aid, and an epic battle between good and evil is waged in the frosty Christmas skies.
By turns enchanting, hair-raising, and inspirational, The Christmas Chronicles is a beguiling tale destined to become a holiday favorite for the ages.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
43 people are currently reading
698 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
December 6, 2018
I read a review of this book by a GR friend some months ago (thanks BAM) and it looked interesting. I found a copy and put it on my bookshelf to save for the appropriate season. I am glad I did. What a delightful book to put anybody in the proper spirit for the Christmas season. I won't tell you a lot about the book as it is a very short one sitting read and any attempt to detail the story could spoil the enjoyment for you. Just find a copy and read it and if you have kids or grandkids old enough then read it to them as it may answer many of the questions young ones have about the many impossibilities of Santa's work.
The basis for the story is a family man abandoned by his loving family to accomplish a traditional Christmas chore of gathering pine boughs for decorating the house for the season. He drives a bit too far into the woods and gets stuck in the snow far beyond help and despairs of walking to find assistance. He then witnesses an unbelievable sight of a talking reindeer pulling a sleigh with one rider being chased by malevolent force and then all disappear. The man then discovers a book dropped by the man in the sleigh. He picks it up and returns to his stuck car only to discover the car has not only been freed from its encumbrance but also turned around and pointed home. At home the man opens the book and realizes it is a biography of Santa Claus and the origin of his career. A charming little tale that should be shared. Enjoy and Happy Holidays to all my GR friends.
The basis for the story is a family man abandoned by his loving family to accomplish a traditional Christmas chore of gathering pine boughs for decorating the house for the season. He drives a bit too far into the woods and gets stuck in the snow far beyond help and despairs of walking to find assistance. He then witnesses an unbelievable sight of a talking reindeer pulling a sleigh with one rider being chased by malevolent force and then all disappear. The man then discovers a book dropped by the man in the sleigh. He picks it up and returns to his stuck car only to discover the car has not only been freed from its encumbrance but also turned around and pointed home. At home the man opens the book and realizes it is a biography of Santa Claus and the origin of his career. A charming little tale that should be shared. Enjoy and Happy Holidays to all my GR friends.
December 10, 2017
I mostly know Tim Slover as the playwright behind The March Tale and Joyful Noise, both of which are wonderful, so I was very pleased to find that he had also done a Christmas story. Here we have the legend of Santa Claus, as discovered by the author when he stumbled upon a mysterious book. The charming story of Santa, how he got started on his mission, his wife, and how they took things global, is very charming!
I have also just learned that there is a radio dramatization of it, which I think my kids would love!
I have also just learned that there is a radio dramatization of it, which I think my kids would love!
January 1, 2018
This is a fun Christmas read that is available as an Amazon Kindle ebook for just $1.99.
The narrator of the story is a family man who tells the story of what happened to him on a wintry day between Thanksgiving and Christmas the year before. It seems he had headed up into the Rocky Mountains to collect pine boughs to decorate their home for Christmas; no one else in his family wanted to go so he went alone.
His car got hopelessly stuck in the snow on that mountain road and he decided to trudge farther up a hill in search of better cellphone reception to call for a tow. As he got to the crest of the hill, he was in for an awe-inspiring sight as the setting sun touched a mass of roiling and stormy snow clouds. Suddenly he began to hear sleigh bells and out of the clouds came a swift little sleigh drawn by a crimson reindeer. A young man was riding in the sleigh and was yelling, "Hurry!" The reindeer spoke himself and called the man "Professor Wyatt." They were trying to reach a road that had been invisible till that moment and just as they rounded the corner and made it to the road, a book fell out of the sleigh. Soon the storm clouds had enveloped the road and the narrator felt a gloom like never before. When it passed, he found the book on the ground, along with a card that read "Merry Christmas!"
When he returned to his car, he found it had been moved and turned so it is pointing back down the hill. How did that happen? Back at home in his study, the narrator starts to investigate the book. The title page reads:
"The Green Book
Being the True and Authorized Chronicle of Klaus,
Sometimes Styled Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Santa
Claus, and Sundry Other Names Including, Wrongly,
Saint Nicholas.
Also a Record of Important Recent Events of the Last
Few Centuries at Castle Noel in the True North Together
with Production Figures and an Almanac of Christmas Flights.
Written and compiled by
Dunstan Wyatt, Es
Court Historian"
Is this a biography of Santa Claus, he wonders?? He reads all through the night in his study till he falls asleep. In the morning the book is gone but in its place is a note that reads: "We needed this back. But don't worry; you'll remember every word. Tell the world, before it's too late, when and if you feel brave enough. Yours sincerely, Dunstan."
What follows is the true history of Santa Claus. If you are brave enough to read it. Are you???
A delightful, charming story that covers all the details and questions about Santa's life. I myself found the older history more interesting before the magic was given to him.
This was my last book for 2017 and I was quite sick while I read yesterday. Sometimes I wonder how much that affects my impressions.
The narrator of the story is a family man who tells the story of what happened to him on a wintry day between Thanksgiving and Christmas the year before. It seems he had headed up into the Rocky Mountains to collect pine boughs to decorate their home for Christmas; no one else in his family wanted to go so he went alone.
His car got hopelessly stuck in the snow on that mountain road and he decided to trudge farther up a hill in search of better cellphone reception to call for a tow. As he got to the crest of the hill, he was in for an awe-inspiring sight as the setting sun touched a mass of roiling and stormy snow clouds. Suddenly he began to hear sleigh bells and out of the clouds came a swift little sleigh drawn by a crimson reindeer. A young man was riding in the sleigh and was yelling, "Hurry!" The reindeer spoke himself and called the man "Professor Wyatt." They were trying to reach a road that had been invisible till that moment and just as they rounded the corner and made it to the road, a book fell out of the sleigh. Soon the storm clouds had enveloped the road and the narrator felt a gloom like never before. When it passed, he found the book on the ground, along with a card that read "Merry Christmas!"
When he returned to his car, he found it had been moved and turned so it is pointing back down the hill. How did that happen? Back at home in his study, the narrator starts to investigate the book. The title page reads:
"The Green Book
Being the True and Authorized Chronicle of Klaus,
Sometimes Styled Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Santa
Claus, and Sundry Other Names Including, Wrongly,
Saint Nicholas.
Also a Record of Important Recent Events of the Last
Few Centuries at Castle Noel in the True North Together
with Production Figures and an Almanac of Christmas Flights.
Written and compiled by
Dunstan Wyatt, Es
Court Historian"
Is this a biography of Santa Claus, he wonders?? He reads all through the night in his study till he falls asleep. In the morning the book is gone but in its place is a note that reads: "We needed this back. But don't worry; you'll remember every word. Tell the world, before it's too late, when and if you feel brave enough. Yours sincerely, Dunstan."
What follows is the true history of Santa Claus. If you are brave enough to read it. Are you???
A delightful, charming story that covers all the details and questions about Santa's life. I myself found the older history more interesting before the magic was given to him.
This was my last book for 2017 and I was quite sick while I read yesterday. Sometimes I wonder how much that affects my impressions.
November 9, 2010
"The Christmas Chronicles" is a wonderful story about how Santa Claus became the man he is today. After reading The Christmas Chronicles, I am so excited for the holiday season to arrive.
Slover's story begins in 1343, when tan orphan named Klaus is adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with a gift for making toys. This story will become a Christmas classic!
I loved this book. It is the most delightful Christmas book I have read and I read at least one each season. The magic and innocence of the story are wonderful.
Slover's story begins in 1343, when tan orphan named Klaus is adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with a gift for making toys. This story will become a Christmas classic!
I loved this book. It is the most delightful Christmas book I have read and I read at least one each season. The magic and innocence of the story are wonderful.
December 8, 2023
Cute. Love that it's about Santa and his story.
December 26, 2024
my family reads this book aloud every year starting in december 1st and finishing on christmas day. this was the first year i read it on my own, and i love it so much. it’s a magical story
December 6, 2018
A great read during the holiday season. I enjoyed how the story unfolded, hitting each of the beliefs about Santa Klaus, his reindeer, the elves, etc. Love the message at the end-how the “demon” has targeted humanity and the true meaning of Christmas.
January 14, 2015
If you are looking for a book that tells you the "truth" about Santa Claus this is it. How does Santa really deliver all the gifts on Christmas Eve? How did Santa & Mrs. Claus meet? Can reindeer really fly? Does Rudolph's nose really glow? All these and many more questions are answered in this sure to be holiday classic. Author Tim Slover has woven a wonderful Christmas tale that once and for all separates the fact from the fiction regarding Santa Claus. Learn how Santa Claus became the legend he is now. What started as a simple woodworker who made toys for a village of children grew into something legendary and magical. A story that will delight adults as well as children.
December 3, 2025
There was nothing particularly wrong with this book from a technical standpoint. It was well written and imaginative. I am just particularly picky about my Santa Claus stories and this one didn't much appeal to me. It may, however, appeal to you.
November 20, 2010
Where do I begin? To start off with, I am not the intended audience for this book. I love christmas, but for all the wrong reasons. I will admit, I love the holiday for all the cheesy commercialization that it inspires. I like shopping for gifts, and I like being hit in the face with all the glittery decorations that the season brings about in stores and malls. I like hanging out with friends, drinking warm drinks spiced with various sorts of flavored liquors, playing games, exchanging gifts and just trying to be merry during the darkest days of the year. Christmas is not a spiritual time for me. I am not a believer of any sort and get angry when christians try to claim the holiday for their own.
This being said, I was a little annoyed that Slover seemed to gloss over and make up tales about how christmas traditions started instead of giving credit to the pre-christian people who created most of the traditions we celebrate as "christmas". Slover was not overtly trying to make the case that "jesus is the reason for the season", but the lack of any consideration of the true origins of these celebrations (with the exception of a minor cameo appearance of the dalai lama- another oddity that didn't make sense to me) and the insertion of people from the original nativity story lead me to think that this was Slover's underlying philosophy.
Slover also derides the over commercialization of christmas. But he writes about shopping for gifts and decorating his house with lights and stuff. I just wonder where he draws the line on this particular topic. Is the way that he celebrates christmas the only way to do it? How many presents equals too much commercialization? Is it going against the christmas spirit if I give Home Depot my hard earned money to buy outdoor and indoor lights to decorate with? This is just my personal anecdotal observation, but it seems that the people who yell about the "overcommercialization" of christmas are the ones who indulge in it the most. They also seem to be the ones who have the means to do this.
Slover also makes multiple pleas for the reader to share his story to others. It seems to me to be a bit premature to think that your own story is going to be such a big hit that people should be passing it on to others. If the story really is that good, you will not have to ask your readers to do this. They will do it on their own.
Now, to the actual story. I will admit, I enjoyed reading parts of this. It was easy and light-hearted and honestly kind of fun. I don’t hate Christmas, despite all my ramblings above. But Slover’s story is nothing new. It’s just a simple retelling of Santa Claus story and reads like a bunch of “just-so” stories. We hear about how Claus liked Anna’s cookies and that is why cookies are such an important Christmas tradition. We also read about how Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (or Ranulf, as Slover calls him) came into being. Overall the story reads like a cross between the clay-mation holiday classics on TV and The Santa Claus movie starring Tim Allen.
The story ends with a plea to the reader to not trust material evidence and trust instead in true belief. True belief, in this case, to the story presented, but it is easy to see how this can apply to the author’s presumed religious beliefs as well. This is one of my biggest personal pet peeves. It’s fine to ask a reader to suspend their disbelief for a story. But it’s not ok to teach people that actual evidence doesn’t matter. I think it is a disservice to humanity to teach that any belief one might have trumps physical evidence to the contrary. Sometimes, ok MOST of the time, the simplest explanation is the correct one and we don’t need to go out and make crazy stories to explain events that are better explained through simple observation and scientific inquiry.
That being said, enjoy this book if it is your cup of tea. There is nothing wrong with a delightful Christmas tale. I am going to re-read A Christmas Carol now instead.
This being said, I was a little annoyed that Slover seemed to gloss over and make up tales about how christmas traditions started instead of giving credit to the pre-christian people who created most of the traditions we celebrate as "christmas". Slover was not overtly trying to make the case that "jesus is the reason for the season", but the lack of any consideration of the true origins of these celebrations (with the exception of a minor cameo appearance of the dalai lama- another oddity that didn't make sense to me) and the insertion of people from the original nativity story lead me to think that this was Slover's underlying philosophy.
Slover also derides the over commercialization of christmas. But he writes about shopping for gifts and decorating his house with lights and stuff. I just wonder where he draws the line on this particular topic. Is the way that he celebrates christmas the only way to do it? How many presents equals too much commercialization? Is it going against the christmas spirit if I give Home Depot my hard earned money to buy outdoor and indoor lights to decorate with? This is just my personal anecdotal observation, but it seems that the people who yell about the "overcommercialization" of christmas are the ones who indulge in it the most. They also seem to be the ones who have the means to do this.
Slover also makes multiple pleas for the reader to share his story to others. It seems to me to be a bit premature to think that your own story is going to be such a big hit that people should be passing it on to others. If the story really is that good, you will not have to ask your readers to do this. They will do it on their own.
Now, to the actual story. I will admit, I enjoyed reading parts of this. It was easy and light-hearted and honestly kind of fun. I don’t hate Christmas, despite all my ramblings above. But Slover’s story is nothing new. It’s just a simple retelling of Santa Claus story and reads like a bunch of “just-so” stories. We hear about how Claus liked Anna’s cookies and that is why cookies are such an important Christmas tradition. We also read about how Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (or Ranulf, as Slover calls him) came into being. Overall the story reads like a cross between the clay-mation holiday classics on TV and The Santa Claus movie starring Tim Allen.
The story ends with a plea to the reader to not trust material evidence and trust instead in true belief. True belief, in this case, to the story presented, but it is easy to see how this can apply to the author’s presumed religious beliefs as well. This is one of my biggest personal pet peeves. It’s fine to ask a reader to suspend their disbelief for a story. But it’s not ok to teach people that actual evidence doesn’t matter. I think it is a disservice to humanity to teach that any belief one might have trumps physical evidence to the contrary. Sometimes, ok MOST of the time, the simplest explanation is the correct one and we don’t need to go out and make crazy stories to explain events that are better explained through simple observation and scientific inquiry.
That being said, enjoy this book if it is your cup of tea. There is nothing wrong with a delightful Christmas tale. I am going to re-read A Christmas Carol now instead.
February 12, 2015
First let me say…what a delightful little book!
I really liked this story about Santa Claus and where the legend came from. The legend of Santa Claus had to start somewhere and like all legends they start with humble and simple beginnings. Klaus (with a K) was the best carpenter in his little village and decided the make small toys for the children in his village after the Black Plague killed so many of the children’s families in 1343. Klaus just wanted to spread a little bit of happiness. Simple I told you. But the story goes on to tell you how he met Mrs. Klaus and where the reindeer and elves came from. Did you ever want to know how he gets all those gifts to all the children around the world and in their houses? Well this is the story that answers all of those questions and some you never ever thought to ask. I am not a book re-reader but this just might be a yearly re-read for Christmas. It is a book that kids of all ages would love and parents as well. I think my love of peppermint grew a bit more after reading this book. I have had several candy canes since I finished reading it and I have one in my purse right now.
Why didn’t I read this book years ago when I first got it as a prize from a book blogger hop? Why? If you are in need of a Christmas book to read to get you and our your kids in the mood for Christmas and not just the shopping this is a good book to start with. If you have a small child with a million and one questions about Santa and why things are the way there are, then read them this book. I am telling you this is the book to answer all the whys.
I really liked this story about Santa Claus and where the legend came from. The legend of Santa Claus had to start somewhere and like all legends they start with humble and simple beginnings. Klaus (with a K) was the best carpenter in his little village and decided the make small toys for the children in his village after the Black Plague killed so many of the children’s families in 1343. Klaus just wanted to spread a little bit of happiness. Simple I told you. But the story goes on to tell you how he met Mrs. Klaus and where the reindeer and elves came from. Did you ever want to know how he gets all those gifts to all the children around the world and in their houses? Well this is the story that answers all of those questions and some you never ever thought to ask. I am not a book re-reader but this just might be a yearly re-read for Christmas. It is a book that kids of all ages would love and parents as well. I think my love of peppermint grew a bit more after reading this book. I have had several candy canes since I finished reading it and I have one in my purse right now.
Why didn’t I read this book years ago when I first got it as a prize from a book blogger hop? Why? If you are in need of a Christmas book to read to get you and our your kids in the mood for Christmas and not just the shopping this is a good book to start with. If you have a small child with a million and one questions about Santa and why things are the way there are, then read them this book. I am telling you this is the book to answer all the whys.
June 25, 2016
This was a cute Christmas book that re-imagines the biography of Santa Claus.
It all starts in the Black Forest in 1343 when infant Klaus is orphaned and then adopted by a craftsman's guild. The boy grows to become a master woodworker with a big laugh and a gift for making toys. The delightful Anna enters his life, on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher, and soon becomes his wife. Klaus' rival, the envious Rolf is a second rate carpenter who will stop at nothing to destroy Klaus. But in the end, Santa's magic is at last unleashed, more flying reindeer come to his aid, and then a battle between good and evil is waged in the Christmas skies called True North.
The author has woven much of what we have traditionally come to know about Santa Claus into his story. It was an interesting take on a classic legend. The author made it almost believable!
It all starts in the Black Forest in 1343 when infant Klaus is orphaned and then adopted by a craftsman's guild. The boy grows to become a master woodworker with a big laugh and a gift for making toys. The delightful Anna enters his life, on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher, and soon becomes his wife. Klaus' rival, the envious Rolf is a second rate carpenter who will stop at nothing to destroy Klaus. But in the end, Santa's magic is at last unleashed, more flying reindeer come to his aid, and then a battle between good and evil is waged in the Christmas skies called True North.
The author has woven much of what we have traditionally come to know about Santa Claus into his story. It was an interesting take on a classic legend. The author made it almost believable!
August 31, 2018
Tim Slover's "The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus" is quite a masterpiece. Even though it's still Summer currently, his book didn't fail to make me excited for Christmas. Slover often had me believing his story wholeheartedly. He brought me a sense of wonder and imagination that I hadn't felt in a while. At the end, when the narrator tells his kids about the biography of Santa Claus, they don't believe him at all. To me, that makes his story that much more believable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to dream and to believe. Even if you don't believe, however, it is still a wonderful piece of literature with a fabulous story.
December 19, 2023
This book is just an absolute delight. I cried more than once.
January 24, 2011
It's odd to read a Christmas book in January, but the over commercialization of Christmas (which attacks us earlier and more virulently each year) just sucked the pleasure out of the idea of such innocent tales in the midst of the shopping and begging frenzy.
That said, this book is so sweet that it's like mainlining candy for a week. And it's clearly "Christian fiction", pushing as many of the non-secular Christmas traditions into the sway of Christianity as possible.
(And, no, I don't consider any of my other Christmas favorites as "Christian fiction".
Including:
* Clement C. Moore "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"
* Francis P. Church "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"
* Dr. Suess "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
* Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"
* O Henrey "The Gift of the Magi"
* Charles Schultz "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
* as well as Frosty and Rudolph, among others
Here is my Christmas shelf.)
To put things in perspective, I'm a Christian by upbringing, but fairly nonpracticing in anything but a personal spirituality. So I've stood in church and sang all the beautiful hymns. I had "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" memorized as a child. Christmas has always been a big deal in my family. But these days I appreciate the opportunity to get together with family and enjoy the joy in the eyes of my nieces and nephews. My Christmases are more traditional, than either commercial or spiritual.
This is the story of Klaus, a carpenter *eyebrow raise*, who took pity on his neighbors who had great losses after the black plague. He couldn't replace their lost loved ones, so he choose to replace their lost possessions. He then inspired the children of the village to charity, and choose to create toys for those children to reward them. These toys were blessed by a priest and therefore must be delivered on Christmas, to retain their blessing. *eye roll*
He became a living legend, spreading his generosity from village to village. Eventually meeting Anna who had a reindeer and a fast (earthbound) sleigh that allowed him to reach a bit farther with his nighttime travels. He married Anna basically without even much in the way of courting, and she joined in in Klaus' Christmas traditions. Anna was a seamstress and a cook.
This tale remained quite earthbound until the death of Anna at the same moment Klaus somehow finds the spirit of Christmas. He returns home to find a house full of saints who bring Anna back, make both of them saints *nods knowingly* in their own right, and bless them with non-aging. Then the magic begins. Time stops so the newly named Santa can get everywhere in one night. A magical way to understand multiple languages that's more convenient than a babel fish. You get the picture.
And we can't forget the cartoonish evil character who rolls his mustache as he ties the heroine to the railroad track. Okay, that didn't happen, but he's just as much of a cartoonish archtype. And when Klaus and Anna are blessed with a type of immortality, he is destroyed becoming some sort of evil spirit (they even say "demon") who strips joy from all those good people everywhere.
He's apparently the reason why we've lost the Christmas spirit in this day and age. It's not -- as is obvious to the rest of us logical adults -- the endless pushing for us to buy more more more, and donate more more more, and the perception we must be perfect. *rolls eyes again* No wonder the psychologists are busy during the holiday season.
So yeah, if you're still a child or have managed to live in a childlike innocence beyond adulthood, you might pick up your rose colored glasses and enjoy this sickly sweet tale of Christian themed Christmas perfection. But for the rest of us, it's a bit to big of a tall tale. If it was written as farce, it might be funny. Unfortunately, it's written with earnestness, and therefore it's just naive.
Please note, I won an ARC of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.
That said, this book is so sweet that it's like mainlining candy for a week. And it's clearly "Christian fiction", pushing as many of the non-secular Christmas traditions into the sway of Christianity as possible.
(And, no, I don't consider any of my other Christmas favorites as "Christian fiction".
Including:
* Clement C. Moore "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"
* Francis P. Church "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"
* Dr. Suess "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
* Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"
* O Henrey "The Gift of the Magi"
* Charles Schultz "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
* as well as Frosty and Rudolph, among others
Here is my Christmas shelf.)
To put things in perspective, I'm a Christian by upbringing, but fairly nonpracticing in anything but a personal spirituality. So I've stood in church and sang all the beautiful hymns. I had "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" memorized as a child. Christmas has always been a big deal in my family. But these days I appreciate the opportunity to get together with family and enjoy the joy in the eyes of my nieces and nephews. My Christmases are more traditional, than either commercial or spiritual.
This is the story of Klaus, a carpenter *eyebrow raise*, who took pity on his neighbors who had great losses after the black plague. He couldn't replace their lost loved ones, so he choose to replace their lost possessions. He then inspired the children of the village to charity, and choose to create toys for those children to reward them. These toys were blessed by a priest and therefore must be delivered on Christmas, to retain their blessing. *eye roll*
He became a living legend, spreading his generosity from village to village. Eventually meeting Anna who had a reindeer and a fast (earthbound) sleigh that allowed him to reach a bit farther with his nighttime travels. He married Anna basically without even much in the way of courting, and she joined in in Klaus' Christmas traditions. Anna was a seamstress and a cook.
This tale remained quite earthbound until the death of Anna at the same moment Klaus somehow finds the spirit of Christmas. He returns home to find a house full of saints who bring Anna back, make both of them saints *nods knowingly* in their own right, and bless them with non-aging. Then the magic begins. Time stops so the newly named Santa can get everywhere in one night. A magical way to understand multiple languages that's more convenient than a babel fish. You get the picture.
And we can't forget the cartoonish evil character who rolls his mustache as he ties the heroine to the railroad track. Okay, that didn't happen, but he's just as much of a cartoonish archtype. And when Klaus and Anna are blessed with a type of immortality, he is destroyed becoming some sort of evil spirit (they even say "demon") who strips joy from all those good people everywhere.
He's apparently the reason why we've lost the Christmas spirit in this day and age. It's not -- as is obvious to the rest of us logical adults -- the endless pushing for us to buy more more more, and donate more more more, and the perception we must be perfect. *rolls eyes again* No wonder the psychologists are busy during the holiday season.
So yeah, if you're still a child or have managed to live in a childlike innocence beyond adulthood, you might pick up your rose colored glasses and enjoy this sickly sweet tale of Christian themed Christmas perfection. But for the rest of us, it's a bit to big of a tall tale. If it was written as farce, it might be funny. Unfortunately, it's written with earnestness, and therefore it's just naive.
Please note, I won an ARC of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.
September 23, 2010
Baby Klaus was orphaned when both of his parents died of the Black Death. But, a craftsmen's guild took him in. Klaus as he grew up, watched and learned from these woodworkers and Klaus himself became a master woodworker.
Klaus has a great laugh and is a very talented toy maker. Klaus began making toys for all the children in his village for each Christmas and each year, the list of children who got toys grew.
Klaus meets Anna - who has a sleigh and a reindeer named Dasher. Klaus and Anna marry. Anna helps her husband every year at Christmas and Dasher is the one who pulls the sleigh to deliver the presents to all the children.
One Christmas eve Klaus feels as if he can't go on, as if he has no more strength left to deliver presents anymore. That is when the magic of Christmas is unleashed.
But, not everything is all well and good. Klaus has an enemy and he will stop at nothing to see Klaus fall.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and it took me only 2, or 3 days to read it all. It was wonderful! And magical. I loved Klaus, Anna, the reindeer. Reading this book is an adventure . . . . A magical adventure and I am happy to have read this. I love the story, how Klaus and Anna met. Their love for one another was sweet and Klaus was so caring and generous. But, what else can you expect from Santa Clause?
The Christmas Chronicles is a story of love, hope and an inspiring adventure.
The Christmas Chronicles is a book I could read over and over again. I think this will be a great book for families to read around Christmas time.
Klaus has a great laugh and is a very talented toy maker. Klaus began making toys for all the children in his village for each Christmas and each year, the list of children who got toys grew.
Klaus meets Anna - who has a sleigh and a reindeer named Dasher. Klaus and Anna marry. Anna helps her husband every year at Christmas and Dasher is the one who pulls the sleigh to deliver the presents to all the children.
One Christmas eve Klaus feels as if he can't go on, as if he has no more strength left to deliver presents anymore. That is when the magic of Christmas is unleashed.
But, not everything is all well and good. Klaus has an enemy and he will stop at nothing to see Klaus fall.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and it took me only 2, or 3 days to read it all. It was wonderful! And magical. I loved Klaus, Anna, the reindeer. Reading this book is an adventure . . . . A magical adventure and I am happy to have read this. I love the story, how Klaus and Anna met. Their love for one another was sweet and Klaus was so caring and generous. But, what else can you expect from Santa Clause?
The Christmas Chronicles is a story of love, hope and an inspiring adventure.
The Christmas Chronicles is a book I could read over and over again. I think this will be a great book for families to read around Christmas time.
September 26, 2010
This evening after dinner I dug out a Christmas CD (Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas") and curled up with this book and a cup of mint hot chocolate -- little did I know how appropriate that choice in flavors would be, as the healing and restorative powers of peppermint are woven throughout.
What an amazing story! I have only just finished this book, and can see reading it many times in the years to come. Heck, probably before the year is out! This is an enchanting story, sure to rekindle the Christmas Spirit in the hearts of all who read or hear it, and one that begs to be read aloud, which I did for a good portion of the book.
The tale begins in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned during the plague and adopted by his father's woodcrafting guild. The boy grows to become a master woodworker. His talent and generosity make him beloved by all, save one. Through the telling of the story, we learn how Klaus met Anna, Dasher, and the Elevated Souls (Elves), how they became involved in the epic battle between good and evil, and how a simple carpenter became known the world over as Santa Claus.
This was truly a magical and inspiring story, one I recommend putting on your "to be bought" list.
What an amazing story! I have only just finished this book, and can see reading it many times in the years to come. Heck, probably before the year is out! This is an enchanting story, sure to rekindle the Christmas Spirit in the hearts of all who read or hear it, and one that begs to be read aloud, which I did for a good portion of the book.
The tale begins in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned during the plague and adopted by his father's woodcrafting guild. The boy grows to become a master woodworker. His talent and generosity make him beloved by all, save one. Through the telling of the story, we learn how Klaus met Anna, Dasher, and the Elevated Souls (Elves), how they became involved in the epic battle between good and evil, and how a simple carpenter became known the world over as Santa Claus.
This was truly a magical and inspiring story, one I recommend putting on your "to be bought" list.
November 3, 2010
I absolutely hated this book. Typically I love Christmas stories, even the most mediocre holiday stories I still enjoy. Not the case with this one. It was painfully boring, which in majority was due to the short, overly simplified sentences. It was similar to reading an essay a middle school student might write. I may forgive the short, choppy sentences considering it is a Christmas story and perhaps was meant to be read to/by children. I'm not sure that is the case however. Sure, read this story to your kids if you think it will help them get in the holiday spirit by learning how the most beloved of Santa's reindeer team was killed after being tormented for months by a horror rooted in his mind after encountering an evil demon that is still always threatening the very existence of Christmas. I'll pass.
I'm glad I read this book now and didn't decide to make this my "snuggle in with a good Christmas story the week of" book. There are plenty of great holiday reads, choose any of them but this. I would petition Slover to please leave Christmas alone; it's something to sacred to be left to his inept writing and interpretations.
I'm glad I read this book now and didn't decide to make this my "snuggle in with a good Christmas story the week of" book. There are plenty of great holiday reads, choose any of them but this. I would petition Slover to please leave Christmas alone; it's something to sacred to be left to his inept writing and interpretations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2010
THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES (THE LEGEND OF SANTA CLAUS) by Tim Slover is an inspirational Christmas contemporary fiction. It is told as a narrative, is well written with depth and details.This is this author's debut novel. It has legend, myth,destiny,envy,magic, committment, faith, adventature,good vs evil, a love story and is destined to be a holiday favorite. It is inspiring and heartwarming.It starts with the finding of THE GREEN BOOK, which is apparently the biography or a history of Santa Claus.Then we see the story entailed in THE GREEN BOOK. What an adventure is book will tell. This is an enduring story set in 1343. It tell the story of Klaus(Santa),his lovely wife, Anna, Dasher, the reindeer and how it all came together to become the story of Santa Claus. If you enjoy magic, love, and the Christmas spirit you will enjoy this one. This book was received for review from the publisher and details can be found at Bantam Books, am imprint of The Random House Publishing Group and My Book Addiction and More.
December 31, 2019
Each December, I like to read/listen to a Christmas-themed book. Due to where I was in my Goodreads annual challenge, I was looking for something fairly short (I know, that's a cheap way to pad the book count! :) ). My wife recommended this book. As usual, listening to her was a good thing!
This book is written as a history of Santa Claus. It begins with Santa in his youth in a German village in the Middle Ages when he was just a woodcarver named Klaus. The novel proceeds to tell how he become the jolly old elf that we all know and love. It's a brilliant spin on the traditional Christmas tale. It's a little slow to start, but once the story picks up, you can see the birth of elements of our modern image of Santa Claus.
This book left me nostalgic for childhood at times, mesmerized at the creativity of Slover's crafting of Santa's origin story, and, by the end, wishing this story was more than a novel and that Santa and his history was as real as the book tells it.
If you are looking for an uplifting Christmas book, check this one out!
This book is written as a history of Santa Claus. It begins with Santa in his youth in a German village in the Middle Ages when he was just a woodcarver named Klaus. The novel proceeds to tell how he become the jolly old elf that we all know and love. It's a brilliant spin on the traditional Christmas tale. It's a little slow to start, but once the story picks up, you can see the birth of elements of our modern image of Santa Claus.
This book left me nostalgic for childhood at times, mesmerized at the creativity of Slover's crafting of Santa's origin story, and, by the end, wishing this story was more than a novel and that Santa and his history was as real as the book tells it.
If you are looking for an uplifting Christmas book, check this one out!
February 8, 2017
I sometimes think Christmas stories are kind of lame. But I won this free from LibraryThing and it did look kind of interesting. If I understand it correctly, this story was an 8 part radio show at some point on KBYU...so I think the author is LDS.
I actually really enjoyed this fictional account of how Santa Claus came to be. I wasn't that fond of the opening and closing chapters, but the main section of the "green book" was really quite entertaining and I could picture reading it to my kids when they are a bit older. (Nov 2010)
*I started to read this with my 9 and 11 year old boys, but we started too late in the month and now that Christmas is done we'll just save it for next year. They seemed to be liking it ok - 50 pages in. (Dec 2015)
**I read most of this to Isaac (age 8) before Christmas. It was a bit advanced for him, but I would stop and explain things. He seemed to like most of it, but got bored near the end and we never ended up finishing. (Dec 2016)
I actually really enjoyed this fictional account of how Santa Claus came to be. I wasn't that fond of the opening and closing chapters, but the main section of the "green book" was really quite entertaining and I could picture reading it to my kids when they are a bit older. (Nov 2010)
*I started to read this with my 9 and 11 year old boys, but we started too late in the month and now that Christmas is done we'll just save it for next year. They seemed to be liking it ok - 50 pages in. (Dec 2015)
**I read most of this to Isaac (age 8) before Christmas. It was a bit advanced for him, but I would stop and explain things. He seemed to like most of it, but got bored near the end and we never ended up finishing. (Dec 2016)
September 28, 2010
I just won this book from First Reads! Love to be reading about Christmas, my favorite time of the year. Only after a few pages of this book I was caught up in the story. While traveling to get fresh pine boughs for their festive Christmas. A man has a little problem out in the middle of no where. He try's to get cell phone reception and is startled by something shocking (but this is a Christmas story) After he calms down he finds a green leather book and realizes he has found the true story of Santa Claus.
Really a fun story and a cute little book that I found so enjoyable to read!
Really a fun story and a cute little book that I found so enjoyable to read!
March 22, 2016
This was such a nice book to read to get me excited about the holiday season! I won this book a couple of months ago but wanted to save it for closer to Christmas. I am so glad I did! This tells the story of how Santa Claus came to be who he is. I loved how the story was told and immediately passed the book along so others could enjoy this wonderful holiday story! It was a very quick read and so very magical! I only hope there will be another book like this...perhaps primarily about Mrs. Claus?
February 8, 2012
This is the perfect audio book for all you crafters who, in the heat of summer, are busy making Christmas gifts and decorations. This well-executed dramatic reading by William Dufris will certainly entertain you and put you in a Christmassy mood while you are busy toiling on your crafts. Crank up the AC and drink some hot chocolate to complete the faux feeling of the season. It is an interesting tale but hardly a new Christmas classic. Save the true classics for December, when you really want to immerse yourself in the Spirit of Christmas.
February 14, 2011
THis would be a fun book to read a chapter of each night with your children during the holiday season. It explains how Santa came to be and the elves and reindeer and how he manages to get everything delivered in one night. It covers how Christmas list were started and how they get delivered and there is even a villain trying to eliminate the gift-giving and joy of Christmas.
I'd recommend it for something different and it could become a new classic for your family. Enjoy.
I'd recommend it for something different and it could become a new classic for your family. Enjoy.
December 17, 2015
I love all that is Christmas (so this review could be a little biased).
This is the biography of Santa Claus, how he became who is today, his love story with Anna (Mrs Claus), his reindeer, his home in the North Pole, and how he delivers gifts to millions of children in one night.
The perfect book for December, magical, light and fun. About half way through I was ready to be done with it and move on to something with more depth. It would have been better perhaps as a short story.
This is the biography of Santa Claus, how he became who is today, his love story with Anna (Mrs Claus), his reindeer, his home in the North Pole, and how he delivers gifts to millions of children in one night.
The perfect book for December, magical, light and fun. About half way through I was ready to be done with it and move on to something with more depth. It would have been better perhaps as a short story.
March 19, 2014
This was one of the best Christmas stories I have read to date, and is a sure-fire classic! From Klaus' humble beginnings as an orphan to his remarkable gift of immortality, this book explains it all in a believable and spirited story that is just as good read curled up with a cup of a hot cocoa as it is read aloud to the whole family. The Christmas Chronicles is a read I plan on adding to my yearly Christmas traditions!
October 30, 2010
I won this book in a FirstReads contest. The book starts with the main character telling you how he happened upon the story of Santa Claus. He then proceeds to tell you the story itself. It is written in an easy to read format. The story itself is entertaining and keeps your interest. I read the book in one sitting and thought it was a great holiday book.
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