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A review by bgg616
Mr. Ives' Christmas by Oscar Hijuelos
5.0
This 1995 short novel by Oscar Hijuelos tells the story of the life of Edward Ives. Ives was adopted as a young child by a man who had adopted 3 other children. Edward knows nothing of his birth parents but with his dark Mediterranean looks, he is sometimes discriminated against in New York City where he lives his entire life. Ives is a skilled artist, and goes on to have a long career as an illustrator in advertising. He marries an Irish American woman, Annie MacGuire. Ives is a deeply religious man, and a Catholic. His best friend is Ramirez, a Cuban immigrant who bartends at the Biltmore. Ives studies Spanish and has many Latino friends. He lives in upper Manhattan with his wife and two children, and early in the book we learn his first born Robert, dies as a teenager
Ives life is a story of faith, loss, grief, and considering what forgiveness means. It is a melancholy read but not depressing. Hijuelos paints a portrait of New York from the Depression years through the later decades of the 20th century. Many changes occurs including the closing of many New York landmarks particularly department stores. Ives finds life getting harder in the city as the years go by and his wife gives up teaching high school in NY as it becomes increasingly harrowing.
Not a typical Christmas read but one I highly recommend.
Ives life is a story of faith, loss, grief, and considering what forgiveness means. It is a melancholy read but not depressing. Hijuelos paints a portrait of New York from the Depression years through the later decades of the 20th century. Many changes occurs including the closing of many New York landmarks particularly department stores. Ives finds life getting harder in the city as the years go by and his wife gives up teaching high school in NY as it becomes increasingly harrowing.
Not a typical Christmas read but one I highly recommend.