Scan barcode
jessica_patient's review against another edition
Crossed between A Christmas Carol and The Grinch who Stole Christmas, Caroline Smaile's latest novel, The Unwrapping of Theodora Quirke, is a festive story about redemption and coping with loss, is a book full of hope and is exactly what we need for 2020's festive period.
Theo, consumed by grief from the loss of her boyfriend, leaves her flat on Christmas Eve and finds St Nicholas of Myra - the Saint people think is Santa Claus, waiting for her. Dressed in his traditional red suit, and proclaiming he is St Nick, Theo isn't convinced, thinking him to be some drunk old fat man trying to make a nuisance of himself.
She isn't in the mood for working on Christmas Eve, she isn't in the mood for Christmas and she definitely isn't in the mood for St Nick and his apparent miracles. Yet, she is curious to know why he has picked her.
St Nick is there to save Theo, and has also been sent a cryptic message from head office that Theo is going to be the first female Christmas Angel. He takes her through her Christmas past, seeing the mother she lost when she was very young before going into care, seeing the time she met her boyfriend for the first time, seeing him for the last time as he dies. St Nick gives Theo the miracle of hope, that her life is worth living and she is loved.
As Theo goes through her training, her confidence grows, her grief evolves as she finds a place for herself in the Christmas world. Caroline write such warm, and complex characters that you can't help by cheer along in their journey. This is why I really enjoy reading her books as she delves into the darkest secrets and lives of her characters and creates hope and a determination to grow as a stronger person. Both Theo and St Nick, at different stages of this novel feel like loss and despair have consumed them but through grit and determination show that hope will win.
But her training comes to a stop when St Nick's brother turns up, Krampus, who is full of jealousy and bitterness, wants the world to celebrate him. St Nick loses all hope as he reads about his popularity dropping and the world cheering for Krampus (I pictured Krampus to look like a certain US President). He doesn't want to get out of bed, doesn't want to work - Christmas is possibly over. It's left up to Theo to save Christmas miracles and make sure the world remembers St Nick.
Not only does this book tackle loss, grief, the dangers of social media fame but is also funny, festive and full of sweary humour. This is such a comforting back and really is a tonic for 2020.
This book needs to come with a warning that reading it will give you the sudden urge to put up Christmas decorations and buying wrapping even though it isn't December. At the time of writing this, I haven't yet put up my tree but I've been seriously considering It!
Theo, consumed by grief from the loss of her boyfriend, leaves her flat on Christmas Eve and finds St Nicholas of Myra - the Saint people think is Santa Claus, waiting for her. Dressed in his traditional red suit, and proclaiming he is St Nick, Theo isn't convinced, thinking him to be some drunk old fat man trying to make a nuisance of himself.
She isn't in the mood for working on Christmas Eve, she isn't in the mood for Christmas and she definitely isn't in the mood for St Nick and his apparent miracles. Yet, she is curious to know why he has picked her.
St Nick is there to save Theo, and has also been sent a cryptic message from head office that Theo is going to be the first female Christmas Angel. He takes her through her Christmas past, seeing the mother she lost when she was very young before going into care, seeing the time she met her boyfriend for the first time, seeing him for the last time as he dies. St Nick gives Theo the miracle of hope, that her life is worth living and she is loved.
As Theo goes through her training, her confidence grows, her grief evolves as she finds a place for herself in the Christmas world. Caroline write such warm, and complex characters that you can't help by cheer along in their journey. This is why I really enjoy reading her books as she delves into the darkest secrets and lives of her characters and creates hope and a determination to grow as a stronger person. Both Theo and St Nick, at different stages of this novel feel like loss and despair have consumed them but through grit and determination show that hope will win.
But her training comes to a stop when St Nick's brother turns up, Krampus, who is full of jealousy and bitterness, wants the world to celebrate him. St Nick loses all hope as he reads about his popularity dropping and the world cheering for Krampus (I pictured Krampus to look like a certain US President). He doesn't want to get out of bed, doesn't want to work - Christmas is possibly over. It's left up to Theo to save Christmas miracles and make sure the world remembers St Nick.
Not only does this book tackle loss, grief, the dangers of social media fame but is also funny, festive and full of sweary humour. This is such a comforting back and really is a tonic for 2020.
This book needs to come with a warning that reading it will give you the sudden urge to put up Christmas decorations and buying wrapping even though it isn't December. At the time of writing this, I haven't yet put up my tree but I've been seriously considering It!
katy_anne's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cazmcdo's review
5.0
There's a lot of stuff about loss in this, a Christmas book. There's a lot of stuff about loss in this Christmas book which made me howl like a baby as I read it sat opposite a photograph of my late grandfather - who passed away in May this year, from Corona, and I now live in his old house (because I haven't yet started calling it my house yet). There's a lot about loss in this Christmas book as I gear up for a semi lockdown Christmas this year without my grandparents, granddad so recently gone and nan having left us on Christmas Eve three years ago. And yet, if all of these things hadn't happened to bring me to this point right now, this Christmas book which contains a lot about loss would not have been exactly the book that I needed. A few months early, Caroline, but #IBelieveinStNick, and I believe in this book.
mgleeson's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
This is a book about a girl who receives a "Christmas miracle" from St. Nick on December 6th - St. Nick's day and she basically escapes reality for about a year and befriends the hard to like St. Nick and all his idiosyncrasies. Theodora Quirke (Theo) loses the love of her life, the only person who ever treated her kindly, and she dives into a deep depression. St. Nick steps in and gives her a coveted miracle. But she still can't seem to get her life back on track. St. Nick himself is having a bit of a hard time. Together they work thru their issues and save each other. This book was odd, funny at times, far fetched at times, and only just ok for me.
itsmeleanne_x's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, Mental illness, Death, and Death of parent
readtheweek's review
4.0
Theodora volunteered to do the Christmas shift at work because she is the only team member who doesn't have a family to spend it with. Whilst her night couldn't get any more depressing it could definitely get more interesting and just her luck - it does! A scraggly looking man claiming to be St Nicholas appears on her doorstep and claims he is there to save her, but does Theo need saving?
Thank you to Red Door Press for delivering a wonderful read once again and for letting me be a part of their blog tour for Caroline Smailes new release published 15th October 2020!
Theodora is your typical "I do not need saving" main character but Smailes has been able to add a hint of desperation to her that although she doesn't outwardly emit you can read through her expressions and interactions with others. I appreciated the undertones of Theo's character and the snippets of attitude throughout that made her a well-rounded character instead of a two-dimensional one that is common in Christmas novels. There is definitely more to her than originally meets the eye. The same can actually be said of all the main players in this novel, Smailes has created a collection of well-rounded characters that any of which you'd like to have a good natter with (maybe not Krampus).
As the story progresses the reader is led to question the greed of humankind, and whilst this looks like your typical happy festive story it definitely felt deeper than that at these points. Smailes intertwines speculation of how the population would take, take and take without giving in response to St Nick with the plot and I think this gives the perfect mirrored narrative between those who would deserve St Nick's miracles and those who need to reflect on our own greed.
Deep underlying commentary aside the story itself is great. Theo and Nick form a strange friendship, Dottie Smith reveals all during her time with the Spitfire St Nicholas Umbrella Collective which turns sinister and by combining the storylines the novel perfectly caps off a festive read for all. Although I would pre-warn those who dislike swearing, this isn't for the fainthearted!
The book throws you straight into the plot without much build up so the slow reveal of character and backstory was actually refreshing to see compared to the usual slow build stories. Although St Nick reveals the way he is able to travel all over in one night in the same fashion I did want it fleshing out a bit more so that the(spoiler) time-travelling he and Theodora do is explained in more detail - perhaps that is the sci-fi fan in me.
Theodora Quirke hits your emotions in all the right places and is the ideal run-up to Christmas read, plus the cover is an absolute corker - how beautiful!
Thank you to Red Door Press for delivering a wonderful read once again and for letting me be a part of their blog tour for Caroline Smailes new release published 15th October 2020!
Theodora is your typical "I do not need saving" main character but Smailes has been able to add a hint of desperation to her that although she doesn't outwardly emit you can read through her expressions and interactions with others. I appreciated the undertones of Theo's character and the snippets of attitude throughout that made her a well-rounded character instead of a two-dimensional one that is common in Christmas novels. There is definitely more to her than originally meets the eye. The same can actually be said of all the main players in this novel, Smailes has created a collection of well-rounded characters that any of which you'd like to have a good natter with (maybe not Krampus).
As the story progresses the reader is led to question the greed of humankind, and whilst this looks like your typical happy festive story it definitely felt deeper than that at these points. Smailes intertwines speculation of how the population would take, take and take without giving in response to St Nick with the plot and I think this gives the perfect mirrored narrative between those who would deserve St Nick's miracles and those who need to reflect on our own greed.
Deep underlying commentary aside the story itself is great. Theo and Nick form a strange friendship, Dottie Smith reveals all during her time with the Spitfire St Nicholas Umbrella Collective which turns sinister and by combining the storylines the novel perfectly caps off a festive read for all. Although I would pre-warn those who dislike swearing, this isn't for the fainthearted!
The book throws you straight into the plot without much build up so the slow reveal of character and backstory was actually refreshing to see compared to the usual slow build stories. Although St Nick reveals the way he is able to travel all over in one night in the same fashion I did want it fleshing out a bit more so that the(spoiler) time-travelling he and Theodora do is explained in more detail - perhaps that is the sci-fi fan in me.
Theodora Quirke hits your emotions in all the right places and is the ideal run-up to Christmas read, plus the cover is an absolute corker - how beautiful!