Reviews

The Firflake: A Christmas Story by Anthony R. Cardno

professorfate's review

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5.0

I will admit that, when it comes to the Christmas season, I have become somewhat of a Grinch over the past few years. As mentions of Christmas come earlier and earlier, I find I get tired of the season, to the point where by mid-November, I find myself wishing for January.

Given that, it was a singular pleasure to discover Mr. Cardno's gentle retelling of some Christmas stories from a new perspective. I read it after Christmas, but still found myself heartened by the beauty of the tale.

Start a Christmas tradition with your family: buy this book, then on Christmas eve, get a fire blazing on the hearth, gather the children and mugs of the hot beverage of your choice and read this tale aloud.

This Grinch recommends it.

apostrophen's review

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5.0

I love tales retold cleverly.

I'm not one who loves Christmas in a traditional sense these days - working retail often leaves much of the "ho-ho-ho" replaced by "go-go-go" and the end result is being tired. I've made it a point to find new traditions for myself and my family and friends whereby I can enjoy small pieces of the holiday.

"The Firflake" just became one of those traditions. It's a lovely story, taking pieces of Christmas tales and turning them just a little sideways, so the light can shine on them from a new angle - one that's refreshing and cheerful from the new point of view.

The characters are charming, the magic sparkles in the words, and I finished the tale - which is more like a half dozen tales woven together into a whole - with a genuine smile on my face.

It takes a lot to give me a sense of Christmas cheer, but the author did so. The Firflake has earned a place beside the traditional Christmas stories, where it can shine every year.
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