Holiday tales have long delighted and entertained us, but until now they've always been burdened with society's skewed values and mores. Stories that reinforce the stifling class system (Dickens's A Christmas Carol), legitimize the stereotype of a merry, over-weight patriarchal oppressor (Santa Claus in The Night Before Christmas), and justify the domestication and subjugation of wild animals (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) abound in the literature and lore of this season.
Now James Finn Garner has stepped in to revise and improve these familiar tales to free our social consciousness from the ghost of prejudice past. From the newly revised 'Nutcracker' to 'Frosty the Persun of Snow' these stories rekindle the true holiday spirit and redefine the idea of 'good will to all men' to include wowyn, pre-adults, and companion animals as well.
........ Outer back cover
FIRST SENTENCE (Page 1): Twas the night before solstice and all
through the co-op
Not a creature was messing the calm
status quo up.
MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 34): ....... He sought out Rudolph among the herd and, wearing his humblest and most pleading face, asked him "Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
The young reindeer looked him over carefully. After a few moments of silence, he said "No."
KEEP IT OR NOT?: Taken off the shelves, it shall be returned there.
According to Amazon's product description, Politically Correct Holiday Stories is .......
A collection of Christmas stories, retold for readers of evolved consciousness, liberated from archaic, sexist, ageist, classist, lookist and other environmentally unsound prejudices.
Hmm, not too sure how much I agree with this.
The fourth book I've read in the Politically Correct series - I read Politically Correct Bedtime Stories and Once Upon A More Enlightened Time way back in March of this year, you can see my reviews by clicking HERE - and have to say this was probably my least favourite.
Taking a politically correct and satirical look at five well known Christmas classics Garner, obviously enjoying poking fun at political correctness, brings us 'Twas the night before Solistice', 'Frosty the Persun of Snow', 'The Nutcracker', my personal favourite, 'Rudolph the Nasally Empowered Reindeer' (I love the idea of Rudolph's life ambition being to, and I quote, 'improve the fortunes of the working reindeer and overthrow the oppressive tyranny of Santa Claus') and, my least favourite, the over long, not very funny 'A Christmas Carol'.
Now don't get me wrong, this isn't a read without humour, just not rolling on the floor, clutching your sides, laugh out loud humour, its just that it was perhaps a tad too dry, a touch too satirical for my liking.
Book number 101 in my 100+ Reading Challenge, this was the fourth book read in the Christmas Spirit Challenge. A short read, measuring only 18 x 13 x 2 cm and with less than 100 pages, I read this in only an hour or two.
15 comments:
good post as usual tracy..and sure u gearing up for the festival season...best wishes always friend
Hi, PW, has the Xmas preparations started? want to hear details .
Doesn't sound like one I want to bother reading. Thanks for the honest review.
I have read a couple of his stories, and though I also liked them, I don´t think you should read too many at the time - somehow they lose the originality if taken in large doses.
I haven't read any of the politically correct books. I do like the Rudolf story. No. LOL Sorry it wasn't too funny for you, but it doesn't sound too bad. :)
Though I do like silly humor, I'm also a fan of satire and dry humor so I imagine I would enjoy this.
Sounds like one I'd enjoy a little at a time :)
Aw, sorry you liked this one the least of the series. Thanks for reviewing it.
Nicely reviewed. I dont think I would love reading this book.
Have a wonderful day Tracy:)
Interesting comments, I'm afraid I think the novelty of these books may have worn off for me.
Not much to tell Chitra, as we spend most of the holiday visiting various family, apart from various Christmassy items placed here and there we tend not to do the whole decorating thing.
like kelly has said, i too am a fan of satire humour, so i think i'd enjoy this.
big hugs!
xx
Despite the flaws, this sounds more like my kind of holiday book!
I really think I would enjoy this type of humor. That first line is cute.
Loved the first sentence, and the memorable moment. Should be a good read.
Congratulations! in comepleting the Challenge :).
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