Publisher: Guideposts Books | Published October 1, 2009
Hardcover | 304 pages | ISBN 
9780824947767
9780824947767Source: Publisher
An INSPYs shortlist book. A Christmas story. And a novel about the intricacies of familes.
The story begins with Anna, a kind-hearted woman running an orphanage and safe-house for Jewish children in 1940 Italy. When Mussolini joins in World War II she realizes she must send her precious family treasure to her cousin, Filomena who lives near Naples. Filomena and her husband Paulo were planning to emigrate to America so she knew the treasure would be safe with them. The family treasure was passed down to her from her mother:
Many years ago, a glassblower in Lauscha and his family made our Christmas Glass. We do not know their names, but they fashioned the glass with a love for the Baby born on Christmas Day, and that love sparkles in every piece. When my mother-your Nana-got married in 1875, her mother wanted to give her a very special gift, an heirloom she could give to her own daughter someday. She wanted something different, something wonderful, something that would make everyone who saw it sigh with pleasure and envy. But she didn’t know what such a gift would be. Until one day she saw the Christmas Glass……
“The ornaments seemed to be alive with light, and Elena fancied that if she touched them, she would feel their warmth. Each was a different shape, and their colors were so vibrant they appeared to glow. There was the Holy Family, with streaks of indigo coloring Mary’s dress, while green marked Joseph’s robe and the Babe shone with gold. Three were long and thin, each in the shape of a wise man, and their robes were marked with scarlet and purple and deep green, all flecked with gold. There was a crystal star with just the slightest sweep of fiery yellow lighting it from within, and an angel in joyous flight, his wings lined with silver. A starfish, awash with blue and green, winked from the box, and a long icicle, such as we sometimes see here in Varese but often appear in the German mountains where the glassmakers live, flared with a thin spiral of silver and gold. There were two fish, symbols of our Lord: one spun with blue, green and silver and the other with red, orange and gold. And finally, Elena saw two perfect globes, crystal clear each, one with the merest sprinkle of red and gold, the other with green and silver…..” (pg. 10 – 11)
We go from 1940 Italy with Anna to December, 2000 and Filomena’s family and friends. We learn that Filomena has slowly given pieces of the Christmas Glass to worthy and needy family and friends throughout the sixty years she has been in the United States. She gave Pastor Louis the translucent blue and green starfish when he baptized her grandson, Jack. Filomena gave Guillermo the taxi cab driver and friend to her best friend, Sarah, the crystal star shot through with gold filaments and the message “To light your way.” Although Filomena has been generous with the Christmas Glass she has been controlling, conniving and hard to deal with according to her daughters. One daughter moved to the other side of the country so she could live her own life.
The Christmas Glass
is a story about forgiveness, love and family. It’s problematic to follow along with all of the characters involved – 13 pieces of Christmas Glass and at least that many characters. The story is told through the viewpoint of several main characters. The novel has a good premise but would have been much better received if it had been told from one or two viewpoints rather than 13. Also, in the beginning Anna was so insistent that the Christmas Glass must stay together and then there’s not really an explanation about what happens to Anna (that’s assumed) nor is there a good explanation about why Filomena starts passing out the Christmas Glass. Now, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing – I think it’s wonderful, but there’s just a jump that’s not explained well in the novel. Or I missed that part. Have you read it? What did you think?
is a story about forgiveness, love and family. It’s problematic to follow along with all of the characters involved – 13 pieces of Christmas Glass and at least that many characters. The story is told through the viewpoint of several main characters. The novel has a good premise but would have been much better received if it had been told from one or two viewpoints rather than 13. Also, in the beginning Anna was so insistent that the Christmas Glass must stay together and then there’s not really an explanation about what happens to Anna (that’s assumed) nor is there a good explanation about why Filomena starts passing out the Christmas Glass. Now, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing – I think it’s wonderful, but there’s just a jump that’s not explained well in the novel. Or I missed that part. Have you read it? What did you think?Do you have a treasured family heirloom? Or one that is in your family that comes out at certain times of the year? What’s the story behind it?
13 does sound chaotic. Great honest review.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a family heirloom. But both my families immigrated to this country and didn't really bring anything with them. Great question! Do you?
It does sound a lot like a jumble, and though the premise is interesting, it sounds like it wasn't all that well executed. Sorry to hear it.
ReplyDeleteJust stop by to wish you a happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI was overwhelmed when I saw the page at the beginning of the book listing all of the characters. However, once I started reading, it was hard to put down. I was disappointed in the ending - rather abrupt, I thought, but I drew my own conclusion. Now, though, I have read that a sequel has been written. Do you know anything about it? It's called Three Kings Day.
ReplyDelete