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El misterio de la Navidad by Jostein Gaarder, Jesús Gabán, Asunción Gabán, Kirsti Baggelthun
oldenglishrose's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great book for sharing with the whole family as, although the story is simple enough and sufficiently engaging to be read and understood by young children, it includes some quite complicated ideas and there is more than enough material here to keep adults interested as well.
The Christmas Mystery manages to have a very strong message without being didactic and, although the framing narrative with its cast of angels and shepherds is undoubtedly Christian in flavour, the message itself is universal: peace and goodwill to all mankind. The way that Gaarder puts this across is so straightforward and simple that it’s very effective. He makes bold statements such as ‘For there’s no sense in believing what’s right unless it leads to helping people in distress’ (p. 113) that make his message seem clear and easy. These lines of wisdom are shared out between all the characters, ranging from Elisabet, the little girl, to the angels of God, emphasising its universal nature and its ease. I was impressed at how moral this book managed to be without ever being irritating.
This was definitely helped by the fascinating story, which is described with the same straightforward tone, applying logic to impossible situations. The mise en abime structure of The Christmas Mystery, whereby there are Advent calendars inside Advent calendars and mysteries inside mysteries, is very well thought out. Each day, the reader opens the calendar door and is allowed to see more of Joachim and his parents trying to puzzle out what happened to Elisabet as they open their own Advent calendar door and discover more of her story as she runs back in time to Bethlehem, accompanied by angels, shepherds, sheep, wise men and Romans. I enjoyed the different layers of narrative and how the two were intertwined. I do think that the external mystery regarding the real Elisabet was wrapped up a bit quickly and I found it a little unsatisfactory, but that is my only issue with what is otherwise a genuinely wonderful book, highly recommended to all.
The Christmas Mystery manages to have a very strong message without being didactic and, although the framing narrative with its cast of angels and shepherds is undoubtedly Christian in flavour, the message itself is universal: peace and goodwill to all mankind. The way that Gaarder puts this across is so straightforward and simple that it’s very effective. He makes bold statements such as ‘For there’s no sense in believing what’s right unless it leads to helping people in distress’ (p. 113) that make his message seem clear and easy. These lines of wisdom are shared out between all the characters, ranging from Elisabet, the little girl, to the angels of God, emphasising its universal nature and its ease. I was impressed at how moral this book managed to be without ever being irritating.
This was definitely helped by the fascinating story, which is described with the same straightforward tone, applying logic to impossible situations. The mise en abime structure of The Christmas Mystery, whereby there are Advent calendars inside Advent calendars and mysteries inside mysteries, is very well thought out. Each day, the reader opens the calendar door and is allowed to see more of Joachim and his parents trying to puzzle out what happened to Elisabet as they open their own Advent calendar door and discover more of her story as she runs back in time to Bethlehem, accompanied by angels, shepherds, sheep, wise men and Romans. I enjoyed the different layers of narrative and how the two were intertwined. I do think that the external mystery regarding the real Elisabet was wrapped up a bit quickly and I found it a little unsatisfactory, but that is my only issue with what is otherwise a genuinely wonderful book, highly recommended to all.
magratajostiernos's review
3.0
Una de estas historia dentro de otra historia, como ya hizo el autor con 'El misterio del solitario', pero aquel libro me gustó muchísimo más que este.
Aún así resulta una lectura curiosa sobre un niño que descubre un calendario de adviento que guarda una historia para cada día del mes de diciembre en su interior, además del misterio de una niña desaparecida por descubrir.
Lo más interesante es el recorrido Histórico y mitológico que hace por las tradiciones relacionadas con el origen del nacimiento del niño Jesús, pero al mismo tiempo me resultó demasiado superficial...
Si buscáis una lectura infantil sencillita para acompañar estos días, breve y curiosa, puede ser para vosotros.
Aún así resulta una lectura curiosa sobre un niño que descubre un calendario de adviento que guarda una historia para cada día del mes de diciembre en su interior, además del misterio de una niña desaparecida por descubrir.
Lo más interesante es el recorrido Histórico y mitológico que hace por las tradiciones relacionadas con el origen del nacimiento del niño Jesús, pero al mismo tiempo me resultó demasiado superficial...
Si buscáis una lectura infantil sencillita para acompañar estos días, breve y curiosa, puede ser para vosotros.
ashleigh_nicole's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
home_in_books's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
shicklin's review against another edition
2.0
We are reading one chapter a day--in the morning or afternoon, not as part of our evening advent time.
We quit. I love the idea, but Eli lost interest, truthfully the story was not all that enticing.
We quit. I love the idea, but Eli lost interest, truthfully the story was not all that enticing.
readloveirie's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
martereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
annamaria1970's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best books ever! My 11 year old couldn't wait to read the next chapter with me every night. We both enjoyed the book immensely. I can't say enough about it.
mariposa517's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
melanie42's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.75