Santa & Pete: A Novel Of Christmas Present And Past

by Christopher Paul Moore, Pamela Johnson

While stuck in a Christmas Eve blizzard, a bus driver shares with his grandson the story of the long-time friendship of Santa Claus and Pete, his African partner, who worked together to bring the spirit of Christmas to America's earliest settlers. 150,000 first printing. Tour.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Audiobook, Humor, Book Club, Holiday, Young Adult

176 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Christopher Moore, author of Bloodsucking Fiends and The Stupidest Christmas Angel. I picked up this book figuring that it was an early work of his written in collaboration...and I was totally wrong. This is a completely different Christopher Moore. Still, I had the book in hand and kept reading. This is a charming novella told from the perpective of an African-American child in the 1960's listening to the tales of his grandfather about St. Nicholas and his friend Pete. The tale is rich in New York history and African and Native American culture. This is a good holiday book to share with kids to open their minds to the various cultural roots behind our traditions. It was nothing like the "other" Christopher Moore, but it was a delightful little discovery in its own right.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the usual Christopher Moore offering! Well, in that it is good writing, it is. However, this is a grandfather's tale, passed down from grandpa to grandpa explaining the origin of Santa Claus and his buddy Pete.

I loved the connections across the country, the world and the street. It reached over race and time and families. It was a short listen but took me places most Christmas stories never do.

A 3 stars joy. Merry, Merry!

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sweet little Christmas tale of St. Nicholas and his forgotten helper... a Moor named Pete. It's actually quite lovely... mixing fiction and non-fiction... with a bit of Christmas, African, Christian & American Indian history and lore all bundled in together... and even a theory on how it came to be that a Dutch leader bought the Island of Manhatten for $24 from the American Indians. It's a lesson of love, tolerance, acceptance, friendship and the strength of family and tradition...a quick read, and a very nice one. Know that the author is not the Christopher Moore who wrote Lamb, Bite Me, etc... Nothing bizarre or scary in this story... no zombies, aliens or mythical creatures... unless you count a little magic and St. Nick himself into that category!

[Irish Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great concept - telling a story that has been handed down for generations through a story about a man who is the storyteller for his community and family. America is a melting pot of so many cultures, it was a pleasure to read one person's idea of how one tradition was brought to the colonies and "made American".

Even though my family has celebrated St. Nicholas Day for generations, I only recently learned that Dutch and Belgium cultures include a Moorish helper. Usually he is over-simplified - this book makes him much more vital, which made the story even more intriguing.

The authors mix in actual facts about Harlem (now New York), Holland, etc, and the story includes a mix of well-defined characters of many ethnicities.

This book is a great treat, and not just for Christmas. I think if you like history or genealogy, or live in Harlem, you would definitely enjoy this book even more, but I would recommend it to anyone.

[Priscilla Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this little book in the used book section of an antique shop. I have a collection of Christmas books and this seemed a good addition. After reading it, I congratulated myself of my purchase!

Santa & Pete is the most interesting version I've heard to date of the St. Nicholas and Pieter myth. It is also a well-constructed tale of New York City's earliest history. And the framework is a completely plausible intergenerational story.

In short, the young narrator's parents decide he needs to know his grandfather better. They decide he should ride the bus his grandfather drives, from Harlem to Greenwich Village and back, on Saturdays. The young boy isn't too pleased - he'd rather being flying kites with his friends. But he dutifully boards the bus - and discovers that most of the passengers know his grandfather, and look forward to his tales of old New York. Over the course of several Saturdays, the driver and passenger become a community of sorts, all looking forward to the next installment of the story.

This is a book I intend to share with my family, and to re-read each year at Christmas time!

[CKE387 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book since it was about family traditions and the real meaning of the holidays whether on celebrates Christmas, Hannaukah, Three Kings Days, Kwanzaa, etc... The story of Santa and Pete is an old tale brought over from the Old World incorporating African and European legends. I liked that the story was told from the child's point of view starting with how he didn't want to go with his grandfather, a city bus driver, at first, but becomes interested while learning about old New York (New Amsterdam) during their trips around the city on his grandfather's route. The story culminates on Christmas Eve when the grandfather reveals the story of Santa and Pete to his regular bus riders and relates certain events to present times. The pacing of the story seems to suggest that it supposed to be read out loud (I guess to start a family tradition if one wasn't already started) and over several nights (probably each night leading up to Christmas). Cute and quick story that has historical basis and gives a wink to the imagination and a child's sense of wonder!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it was written by Christopher Moore author of such comedy laden books as Lamb, Coyote Blues and Blood Sucking Fiend. However, this is a different Christopher Moore. The Christopher Moore who co-wrote this story was the Commissioner of New York City Landmarks . It is a cute Christmas story written for all ages. Ties together some of the Dutch "St. Nicholas" traditional stories with an American history connection.

Btw... if you are interested in a hilarious rendition of the "Dutch Santa Claus", may I suggest David Sedaris' 6 to 8 Black Men as found in his book/audiobook Dress Your Family in Corderoy. I highly recommend the audiobook version.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could probably be a 2 & 3/4. I just was not happy with the voice of this author. It was about the family story teller and so I think I expected to be pulled in as he weaved his tell. Unfortunately it felt a little disjointed and lacked the ability to in-trance the listener.
The book did have some pluses. I loved the references to history and the sentimental reminder of connecting with our own history. I was also happy to read a Christmas book that was not a cheesy romance.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Accident! Got this from the library thinking it was by a different author. This was a charming Christmas tale full of nostalgia and sweetness.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am listening to some of the best Christmas books today while I decorate. This book was heartwarming and full of Christmas spirit and love. Beautiful!

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story for the holiday season.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this audio book from the library thinking it was written by the Christopher Moore who wrote such books as Bite Me and You Suck. So, it was a complete surprise to begin listening and hear nothing weird or unusual (such as a whale with a person living inside it). It seems there is an entirely different author also named Christopher Moore who is the Commissioner of New York City Landmarks. This Moore wrote this novella with a senior editor of Essence, Pamela Johnson. The novella tells the story of a white St. Nick and black Pete who came to New Amsterdam after fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. A lovely Christmas story.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

FYI: This book is not by *that* Christopher Moore, author of Lamb, Fool, and Bloodsucking Fiends. This is a different Christopher Moore altogether. That said, this was a pretty good story, an Americanized version of the legend of Zwarte Piet, a traditional companion of St. Nicholas. The author has reshaped the narrative as a way for Black people to reclaim the character as one of their own, someone they can look up to - a Moor who has traveled the world in the company of a saint and helped thousands of children - rather than the racist, demeaning (and occasionally demonic) figure he is traditionally portrayed as.

[Ace McGee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title characters come to New Amsterdam spreading Xmas spirit and helping prevent a Dutch Indian war.

Just who the heck is Pete? While visiting the Dutch Maritime Museum in Amsterdam there was an exhibit on slavery. In the question and discussion area at the end of the exhibit it was asked, “is Pete racist?”

When I stumbled across this book shortly after my trip to Amsterdam I took it as a sign, went with the flow, and read the book. Placing this book where I would find it seems to be just the thing Santa Nicolas would do!

And no, Pete isn’t racist.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful reimagination of the Santa “myth” & the universal truth that generosity breeds generosity & paying it forward pays you back. I especially liked that the family used their Christmas tree as a family history tree, with an ornament that represented each family member all the way back to Pete & his origins in Angola and that as each ornament was placed on the tree, the person’s name was called & a story was told about them. What a wonderful way for children to learn about their own roots.

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very quick read that tells a touching tale about Santa and his sidekick, the often forgotten Pete. It was enjoyable but nothing particularly outstanding about it.

NOTE: If you are thinking that this is the same Christopher Moore as Practical Demonkeeping, The Stupidest Angel, Lamb, or the Love Bites trilogy, then you are in the wrong area. This author is a different Moore. However, this story did read a bit like a Christopher Moore one would read.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The movie adaptation of this book has long been a family favorite. I think the movie improved upon this book’s plot and development of the Santa Claus legend. The writing is simple and could be called fable-esque if you’re being generous. I enjoyed seeing Terence develop a relationship with his grandfather. I also enjoyed hearing the story of Santa and Pete in old world New York. The ambiguous Magic was also a pleasant surprise. Overall, a cozy Christmas read.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the blending of Christmas traditions and folklore to create this story! I read the book several years ago and would love to reread it but print is no longer an option for me due to low vision. I did listen to an abridged audio version which was okay but really wish this was available in a full Kindle edition!

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a decent Christmas read. It was a little too sentimental at times for my taste, but I enjoyed the overall message of keeping your ancestors and history alive through retelling stories. The audiobook annoyed me as it was read like every word was groundbreaking.

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year I collect a few small Christmas stories to be read in December when I'm too busy to be dedicated to a long, complicated book. This book is one of the ones I saved for t his year and it's a delight. The subtitle is 'A novel of Christmas Present and Past.' So true ... and a fun read.

[Maggieb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Santa & Pete offers a charming premise that blends holiday folklore with family storytelling, but the execution feels uneven. While the idea has heart, the pacing drags and the narrative never quite delivers the emotional depth or cohesion needed to make it truly memorable.

[Therese Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, an unexpected and delightful book. Feeling grateful to have stumbled upon it.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming book, would make a good read aloud in a classroom.

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and cute story.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sorry that I didn't find this one sooner. It would make a great Christmas special.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little Christmas story with a little bit of history tucked into the tale.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read.

[MJ Cahill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok

[Baley Whary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming christmas tale about love and acceptance

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

the setory is great.