Book Review: A Christmas Story by Jean Shepard

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

  A Christmas Story is one of my favorite Christmas films. I watch it multiple times a year. But I have never read the book. Sitting at the register in a local book shop was the original short stories that inspired the movie. I could not pass up a chance to read this classic book. Taken from four, short autobiographical essays, Shepard published them in a book, entitled In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. It was from these four stories, and another short work that the hilarious screenplay for the beloved movie was born. But this story is not entirely a Christmas one.

 

  The late Jean Shepard's rollicking foray into the life of Ralphie Parker was published in 1966. Recently Penguin Random House, under their Broadway Books imprint, released a new version of the classic tale, collecting five of Jean Shepard's short stories into one volume, re-branded to gain more notoriety. Featuring a photo of Peter Billingsley in his infamous "daydream" pose, A Christmas Story hit book shelves in 2003. 

  The story begins with an adult Ralphie having sustenance at the local Automat. He comes across an activist who insists that toys are preparing the world's children for war. He has a small conversation with the woman. But it is enough to send Ralphie down memory lane back the Christmas where all he ever wanted was a Red Ryder BB Gun. From writing themes in school to meeting Santa at the local department store, the wide-eyed innocence that once was Parker is on full display. As adult Ralph continues to reminiscence we are introduced to the Great Leg Lamp battle between his parents. And we meet the Bumpus family, reliving the terrifying Easter when their hounds burst into the Parker's kitchen and made away with their ham dinner. 

  A Christmas Story was a fun holiday read that had me laughing out loud at the zaniness. I was happy that Shepard did not just copy his book and use it for the film. So many elements that we know from the film were written for the screenplay. While the book covers Christmas, Easter, and Spring time. I learned more about Ralphie's life, and I appreciated the differences in the book. This difference between the two mediums made for an almost new experience.

  I read this book in part with the expert narration of veteran actor Dick Cavett. Accompanied by music and sound effects, Cavett's presentation of this story was magical from page one to the end.

  This five star short novel ushered in the Christmas (and Easter) season for me. It was heart-felt, funny, and made me think of my own childhood. In the end this book will become an annual read for me. I loved it. Happy Holidays, fellow book worms and book dragons!   



  Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what are some of your favorite reads of 2018.

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