Reviews

El misterio de la Navidad by Jostein Gaarder, Jesús Gabán, Asunción Gabán, Kirsti Baggelthun

lucy_12's review against another edition

2.0

I loved the *idea* of an advent book with 24 chapters, but unfortunately this story is just so dull. It reminded me a lot of The Alchemist (which I really hated) - must be all the pseudo-philosophy and many many sheep.

silisiili's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

eramenta's review against another edition

i think this was too spiritual for me

valie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

tidtil's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.75

theresa2505's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

lau3rie's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This literary advent calendar has become a festive tradition for me and my mum, we read it every day during advent. 

It's a really fun concept, and like other Jostein Gaarder books it can get quite meta while remaining accessible.

There's definitely a focus on the religious aspects of the Christmas story, but as a non-believer it's done in a gentle and non-proselytising way. In addition to that there's a real life mystery unfolding, as well as a background of cozy family life.

This is a sweet read for the festive season.

emilyliest's review against another edition

hopeful informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I read this book as an advent calendar. I may have enjoyed it more if I’d stuck to a chapter per day but unfortunately it didn’t grab me enough to remember, so I often ended up catching up on multiple chapters at one time, which got repetitive and a little laborious. 
The story is sweet and clearly well researched, but I found the mystery underwhelming and confusing and the characters too twee.
Overall a cute Christmas book with a sweet message but not much substance.  

_bydbach_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

midori_jo's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This book was a gift from my father when I was a kid and therefore has a soft spot in my heart. I loved the illustrations and the experience of reading a book that’s also an advent calendar. I thought the story within a story (and the advent calendar within an advent calendar) was really clever. 

Starting my morning with reading a  short chapter each day was a lovely ritual and a nice parallel to what Joachim and the other characters in the book were going through. A sweet book and a sweet experience.

I would recommend it for Christian kids/families.