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When Angels Sing: A Christmas Story
This classic Christmas story of rekindled spirit is the inspiration behind the 2013 holiday film Angels Sing, starring Harry Connick Jr., Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Lyle Lovett.
This is the tale of Michael, who was eight years old on the Christmas Day he lost his brother David. The day had started out well--Michael and David opened their presents, and much to their delight, they had both received ice skates from Santa. With great excitement they set out to the pond behind their grandparents' house in New Mexico to try them out. But the pond wasn't safe, and David didn't make it out of its icy cold depths. For Michael, the meaning of Christmas changed forever that day.
Thirty years later Michael is the neighborhood Grinch. "To me the only wonder of Christmas is not why that tragedy marked me so," Michael says, "but how the rest of my family can seem so completely unscathed." He scowls at his neighbors' fervent holiday traditions and at his own children, who want nothing more than to string Christmas lights through their front yard. But when another holiday disaster strikes and his own cherished young son loses his spirit to live, Michael searches deep within himself to root out the anger, the fear, and the pain of the past. Can he bear to remember exactly what happened that Christmas Day? And will he make peace with this past for the sake of his own children?
This is the tale of Michael, who was eight years old on the Christmas Day he lost his brother David. The day had started out well--Michael and David opened their presents, and much to their delight, they had both received ice skates from Santa. With great excitement they set out to the pond behind their grandparents' house in New Mexico to try them out. But the pond wasn't safe, and David didn't make it out of its icy cold depths. For Michael, the meaning of Christmas changed forever that day.
Thirty years later Michael is the neighborhood Grinch. "To me the only wonder of Christmas is not why that tragedy marked me so," Michael says, "but how the rest of my family can seem so completely unscathed." He scowls at his neighbors' fervent holiday traditions and at his own children, who want nothing more than to string Christmas lights through their front yard. But when another holiday disaster strikes and his own cherished young son loses his spirit to live, Michael searches deep within himself to root out the anger, the fear, and the pain of the past. Can he bear to remember exactly what happened that Christmas Day? And will he make peace with this past for the sake of his own children?
120 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 22, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded down. Cookie-cutter Christmas story—man suffers a death in the family, becomes a Grinch; a Christmas miracle restores his faith (yada, yada). It was all very sweet, but so sweet my teeth are killing me! I like sweet as much as the next person, but this was a complete sugar overload!!
I heard it was made into a movie ~10 years ago, with Harry Connick Jr. as "Dad" and Kris Kristofferson as—and I'm guessing here—"Santa". Uh-huh. I can see it.🙄
I heard it was made into a movie ~10 years ago, with Harry Connick Jr. as "Dad" and Kris Kristofferson as—and I'm guessing here—"Santa". Uh-huh. I can see it.🙄
December 22, 2020
Short and sweet, this little Christmas nugget hit the spot for me today.
A grinchy Michael Walker looks back on a dear, tragic happening in his past to understand why he feels so cranky at the holidays. As we all know, bad things - terrible things - happen to good people and if we choose to hold tight to them and never let them go, well - we get twisted and uncooperative with all things positive. We don't smile, encourage ourselves or others, celebrate anything, and we definitely do not believe. In anything that might enliven, arise or raise a happy feeling, spirit or heart. Nope. No believing. That means no hoping. No decorating. None of it.
This story was new to me and was a delight to meet in the middle of this season at the end of this difficult year. Just exactly what I needed.
A grinchy Michael Walker looks back on a dear, tragic happening in his past to understand why he feels so cranky at the holidays. As we all know, bad things - terrible things - happen to good people and if we choose to hold tight to them and never let them go, well - we get twisted and uncooperative with all things positive. We don't smile, encourage ourselves or others, celebrate anything, and we definitely do not believe. In anything that might enliven, arise or raise a happy feeling, spirit or heart. Nope. No believing. That means no hoping. No decorating. None of it.
This story was new to me and was a delight to meet in the middle of this season at the end of this difficult year. Just exactly what I needed.
December 24, 2019
This is not a book that goes to any depth but it is a quick read for the holidays if you want an emotional shot in the arm and are not looking for great literature but do appreciate a decent story. It is fairly predictable and melodramatic but it also has a sweetness about it that I needed at the moment. I am glad I read it and I will be keeping it on my shelves to read again a few Christmases in the future.
May 5, 2023
If you need to cry, this is the Christmas story for you.
A short easy read about how it’s never too late to find the jay in a holiday.
A short easy read about how it’s never too late to find the jay in a holiday.
December 2, 2025
One of my favorite parts of this short book is that much of it is set in my hometown of San Antonio, Texas...with its traditions of Las Posadas on the Riverwalk, and more.
Beyond that, this poignant story shares hope with a beautiful ending of the "angels singing."
Before reading this book, I saw the movie version, nearly completely set in Central Texas, starring Harry Conick, Jr. and other big names...with lots of fun twists and turns to ease the pain of the depth of the story.
Truly beautiful.
Beyond that, this poignant story shares hope with a beautiful ending of the "angels singing."
Before reading this book, I saw the movie version, nearly completely set in Central Texas, starring Harry Conick, Jr. and other big names...with lots of fun twists and turns to ease the pain of the depth of the story.
Truly beautiful.
December 25, 2019
It was dumb! It was pointless! It was obvious! It was ... short!
I loved it!
(If you don’t know where this comes from, we can’t be friends.)
In all honesty I found it emotionally manipulative, melodramatic, and predictable. But if it blessed you in some way that’s awesome.
I loved it!
(If you don’t know where this comes from, we can’t be friends.)
In all honesty I found it emotionally manipulative, melodramatic, and predictable. But if it blessed you in some way that’s awesome.
December 3, 2021
Super short! Sad but with a good ending.
December 20, 2021
This book is small enough to fill a lunch hour and large enough to fill your heart. There’s nothing screamy or preachy here, and yet, you can hear Jesus saying, “I am the light of the world,” as he is recorded as having once done so. While the book doesn’t reference scripture at all, and especially not that one, it is about light and darkened hearts and the ways in which light and love can change everything.
Young Michael Walker is especially close to his older brother, David, whom he idolizes. David is one of those rare young men worthy of high adulation. David deeply loves his grandfather, and the old man reciprocates that love.
Eight-year-old Michael fervently wishes it could be Christmas every day, so special are the ones he and David have spent together. But all that changes one fateful Christmas when a horrific tragedy strikes, and the family, especially Michael, will never be the same again.
He tolerates Christmas from that year forward, and when his son faces an unfathomable sorrow one Christmas, the incident nearly breaks Michael. But with tragedy can come miracles, as you will learn if you read this.
I would have written this off as one of those preachy books and never read it had it not been for Don’s recommendation. This was no less a gift to me than if he had provided me with a physical object in a wrapped box. You’ll get through this in no time, but you won’t be done with it for a long time.
Young Michael Walker is especially close to his older brother, David, whom he idolizes. David is one of those rare young men worthy of high adulation. David deeply loves his grandfather, and the old man reciprocates that love.
Eight-year-old Michael fervently wishes it could be Christmas every day, so special are the ones he and David have spent together. But all that changes one fateful Christmas when a horrific tragedy strikes, and the family, especially Michael, will never be the same again.
He tolerates Christmas from that year forward, and when his son faces an unfathomable sorrow one Christmas, the incident nearly breaks Michael. But with tragedy can come miracles, as you will learn if you read this.
I would have written this off as one of those preachy books and never read it had it not been for Don’s recommendation. This was no less a gift to me than if he had provided me with a physical object in a wrapped box. You’ll get through this in no time, but you won’t be done with it for a long time.
November 9, 2021
When Angels Sing: A Christmas Story by Turk Pipkin
Story starts out with Michael and his family on their way to their grandparents house for Christmas.
Some similiar to trips we made every year when we were so much younger.
Special times especially when brother David and Michael would sing under the window and the rest of the family would open windows to hear them and join in.
One tragic moment ended Christmas for Michael. David had saved him by pushing him out of the frozen water but was not able to save himself.
Years later we find Michael and his family moving into a new house where the whole neighborhood dresses up their lawns for a lighthshow where others drive their cars through every year.
Michael's son David is on his way to join the grandparents for Thanksgiving and they will all drive him back home for the holidays.
Tragic accident aoccurs with blue spruce Christmas trees, one of my favorite, and Christmas is no longer for David. Only Michael is the one who can pull out from his grief to aid David to live with the hurt.
Love when they are able to celebrate the holiday together again. So magical and meaningful.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Story starts out with Michael and his family on their way to their grandparents house for Christmas.
Some similiar to trips we made every year when we were so much younger.
Special times especially when brother David and Michael would sing under the window and the rest of the family would open windows to hear them and join in.
One tragic moment ended Christmas for Michael. David had saved him by pushing him out of the frozen water but was not able to save himself.
Years later we find Michael and his family moving into a new house where the whole neighborhood dresses up their lawns for a lighthshow where others drive their cars through every year.
Michael's son David is on his way to join the grandparents for Thanksgiving and they will all drive him back home for the holidays.
Tragic accident aoccurs with blue spruce Christmas trees, one of my favorite, and Christmas is no longer for David. Only Michael is the one who can pull out from his grief to aid David to live with the hurt.
Love when they are able to celebrate the holiday together again. So magical and meaningful.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
December 24, 2020
Short sweet story about love, loss, and hope.
I bought and read this book not long after it was first published. I put it away and it was largely forgotten, but there was a bit of it that stuck with me. I have thought about a particular "scene" from this book often without remembering exactly where the scene was from. It is a pivotal moment in the story so saying more might be a spoiler.
This is a must read for the holiday season that will fill your heart with love and hope.
I bought and read this book not long after it was first published. I put it away and it was largely forgotten, but there was a bit of it that stuck with me. I have thought about a particular "scene" from this book often without remembering exactly where the scene was from. It is a pivotal moment in the story so saying more might be a spoiler.
This is a must read for the holiday season that will fill your heart with love and hope.
December 17, 2022
I'm not going to lie I cried like a baby during this. It was a sad story with hope love and loss. The holidays are never good for me due to the loss of many family members between Thanksgiving and Christmas so this hit very close to home. It was a good story, but very sad. I feel like I have been Michael for so long hating the holidays and realized you need to look for the good and happiness in your family that is still here for you. Not guilt or sorrow.
December 18, 2021
This is one of the best Christmas stories I have ever read. I am shocked to see that it has such a low rating here on Goodreads. Summarizing it here seems ridiculous simply because the story is so short that if it interest you, you should go ahead and read it. I'm off to see why people felt the way they did about it.
February 24, 2022
I acquired this book after Christmas & wasn’t sure I wanted to read it til next Christmas season! But needing a book with a red cover for a reading challenge this month, I picked it up. It was definitely not the usual light, fun Christmas novella. It was more about family and loss than about Christmas. And about love… Warning: I was weeping copiously by the end!
December 23, 2023
This was a quick little Christmas read. It read like a short story. It was sweet for what it was and better written than other short seasonal books I’ve read like it. The book isn’t long enough for much character development, but it told a full story. There were a few cheesy parts, but overall it was far less cheesy than most Christmas books.
November 27, 2016
A very quick read - read after I'd watched the movie "The Angels Sing" - based on this book! Great Christmas movie loosely based on the book, with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson & Harry Connick, Jr. starring in it.
November 21, 2019
When Angels Sing: A Christmas Story is a sad and sweet story, a tragic and touching story. It is a story about grief and love during the holiday season and I am blessed to have read this lovely little book; it touched me in a very personal way as I am sure it will many others.
May 3, 2022
Quick and easy read, sweet and thoughtful lesson of enduring love and faith.
Read
July 14, 20221/3 of the way through. Will revisit later.
February 20, 2024
Simply wonderful, I really needed some tissues.
Read
December 31, 2024Heartfelt, moving, raw and classic. Beautiful reminder of grief and the stronghold it can have if we allow it to swallow us whole.
December 11, 2025
I enjoyed this short, predictable Christmas. There was a movie made about it. Maybe I will see if I can watch the movie as well.
December 10, 2025
beautiful
From heartbreak turned into joy with the Christmas lights bringing peace and love and healing. It was
A feel good book.
From heartbreak turned into joy with the Christmas lights bringing peace and love and healing. It was
A feel good book.
June 8, 2025
This is a moving book. I loved reading about the evolution of the main character. A childhood tragedy that skewers his entire life and family. Wonderful read whether it is Christmas or summer. Also, made into a movie, but I suggest reading the book first.
March 25, 2013
movie will be debuting at SXSW Film and Music Festival (2013). Movie stars Harry Connick, Jr., Connie Britton, also has Willie Nelson, Kris Kristopherson, Sara Hickman and Lyle Lovett. Turk Pipkin is an Austin author. -- on one hand, this could EASILY be a movie that you find on Hallmark Channel, but with this cast, it could also be great (thoughts after reading the book). It's a short, fast, bit melodramatic read.
Like most of his heroes, David wanted to be a writer. I merely wanted to be like David. 3
"I can't see!" I protested.
"It doesn't matter," he told me. "All the really good things are in front of us."
After all these years, I still wonder if he meant to sound so wise, or whether he simply could not help it. 5
Like most of his heroes, David wanted to be a writer. I merely wanted to be like David. 3
"I can't see!" I protested.
"It doesn't matter," he told me. "All the really good things are in front of us."
After all these years, I still wonder if he meant to sound so wise, or whether he simply could not help it. 5
December 22, 2013
Very sweet story about a man who is trying to recover from the death of his brother 30yrs later. A story of how grief can linger and eat at you over time. I like how this book keeps the spirit of Santa alive:)
December 17, 2016
A holiday tragedy turns the main character against Christmas. Years later a second holiday tragedy put his son in the hospital. the boy loses his appetite and his father must reach inside himself to bring him back.
August 10, 2016
Read in preparation for seeing the movie and because a friend said it was one of her favorite books. Eh. Predictable and a little disjointed and boring. On the upside, it was a very quick read.
December 22, 2014
Maybe I'm just a mushy person this time of year but I thought this was freakin fantastic! An easy and light, sweet read. Short so I read it quickly but would read it again and again!
Read
December 24, 2015Purchased used on Amazon at the end of last Christmas after I saw the Harry Connick Jr/Connie Britton/Willie Nelson TV movie based on the book. A quick read and very Christmassy.
Read
December 30, 2025I read this every Christmas and thoroughly enjoy it each year!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews