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A review by lagobond
A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote
4.0
I went into this with a couple mistaken assumptions.
For example, I figured it made sense to read the Thanksgiving story before the Christmas stories. So I went ahead and read the Thanksgiving story (printed at the end of this little book) around Thanksgiving, and then I read the first two stories in the days leading up to Christmas. At the time I felt pretty satisfied with my clever self, but I now think I should have trusted the editor, and read the book beginning to end. The first two stories are much richer than the last one, and would have given me more background to better appreciate the third.
Additionally, I thought that Capote would put me into a festive mood, but honestly the holidays (while evocatively described) only provide the canvas for his subject matter. This book really is about relationships. Specifically about the deeply caring relationships we sometimes form with unlikely people, people who keep showing up for us for no reason other than that they want to. This, of course, while those who "should" care are absent from our lives, emotionally or practically or altogether.
Young Capote's tender relationship with Miss Sook reminded me of the neighbors, teachers, and "aunts and uncles" who opened their hearts and homes to Little Me when I needed a friend, which was most of the time. People unrelated to me whose steadfast and loving presence I never had to question, even when my own family dropped the ball. They sat with me, knitting, reading, watching soap operas, feeding me things we had cooked or baked together, sending me on little errands, giving me small but meaningful gifts, and listening to what I had to say. If you've ever had people like this in your life, you might enjoy this book. Just know that it might leave you more wistful than "holiday spirited."
As an aside, this little book contains one of the most beautiful and touching descriptions of "God" that I (an atheist) have ever read.
3.5 stars rounded up, because I while the book didn't quite feel like 4 stars while I was reading it, I felt cheap giving just 3 stars to a piece of literature that touched me so much.
For example, I figured it made sense to read the Thanksgiving story before the Christmas stories. So I went ahead and read the Thanksgiving story (printed at the end of this little book) around Thanksgiving, and then I read the first two stories in the days leading up to Christmas. At the time I felt pretty satisfied with my clever self, but I now think I should have trusted the editor, and read the book beginning to end. The first two stories are much richer than the last one, and would have given me more background to better appreciate the third.
Additionally, I thought that Capote would put me into a festive mood, but honestly the holidays (while evocatively described) only provide the canvas for his subject matter. This book really is about relationships. Specifically about the deeply caring relationships we sometimes form with unlikely people, people who keep showing up for us for no reason other than that they want to. This, of course, while those who "should" care are absent from our lives, emotionally or practically or altogether.
Young Capote's tender relationship with Miss Sook reminded me of the neighbors, teachers, and "aunts and uncles" who opened their hearts and homes to Little Me when I needed a friend, which was most of the time. People unrelated to me whose steadfast and loving presence I never had to question, even when my own family dropped the ball. They sat with me, knitting, reading, watching soap operas, feeding me things we had cooked or baked together, sending me on little errands, giving me small but meaningful gifts, and listening to what I had to say. If you've ever had people like this in your life, you might enjoy this book. Just know that it might leave you more wistful than "holiday spirited."
As an aside, this little book contains one of the most beautiful and touching descriptions of "God" that I (an atheist) have ever read.
3.5 stars rounded up, because I while the book didn't quite feel like 4 stars while I was reading it, I felt cheap giving just 3 stars to a piece of literature that touched me so much.