Our Simple Gifts
Civil War Christmas Tales
By Owen Parry
William Morrow & Co - October 2002
ISBN: 0060013788 - Hardcover
Fiction / Historical / Short stories

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks, MyShelf.Com
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Owen Parry is best known for his Abel Jones historical mystery series. This holiday season he brings readers a group of historical holiday shorts. As in his mystery series, Parry touches on the various classes of people affected by the war. Without a doubt, readers will be entranced by Parry's poetic writing style as he presents these soon-to-be classic shorts.

Star of Wonder - For Robert, Christmas is bittersweet. Minus his arm and his love, he heads home. Catherine is a widow with a newborn babe. Her Christmas is bitter, period. After losing her husband, she is now losing her home. Paths cross and a compassionate story between the have and have-nots is told.

Tannenbaum - Gustave Tannebaum is Dutch and fighting in the Civil War. This story is about the sacrifices he makes to give his comrades a memorable Christmas. It is a wonderful example of celebrating Christmas as a peaceful season, more than a religious one.

Nothing But a Kindness - Yankee solider Natty Hawks makes it home for Christmas. Old-Ma, his grandmother, is the first to greet him, and she lovingly advises him on how to deal with his confederate pa. A touching story of love reaching out from the past to heal the present.

Christmas Gift - Dundee and his wife are now free and there isn't much sympathy for the woman who was once his owner, yet Dundee finds it in himself to reach out and give on Christmas day. Witnessing Dundee's inner strength and compassion will touch readers' souls.

I can't imagine one putting this book down after reading it and not being affected by the stories penned as witnesses to compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. Entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time, Our Simple Gifts is the perfect historical read for this holiday season.

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