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Modern Library

A Christmas Memory: One Christmas, and The Thanksgiving Visitor (Modern Library)

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Three holiday stories in one festive volume from literary titan Truman Capote: “A Christmas Memory,” “The Thanksgiving Visitor,” and “One Christmas” “Capote, in a bright, fluttering, wheeling way, makes all the tinsel and confetti and embroidery that bind together such delicate emotions as nostalgia and sentimentality come vigorously to life.”—The New Yorker, on “A Christmas Memory” Here are three holiday stories that Truman Capote himself regarded as among his greatest works of short fiction. “A Christmas Memory” and “The Thanksgiving Visitor” were inspired by Capote’s early years with a family of distant relatives in rural Alabama. These two childhood tales pay loving tribute to an eccentric old-maid cousin, Miss Sook Faulk, who became Capote’s best friend. In “A Christmas Memory,” Miss Sook, Buddy (the narrator), and their dog, Queenie, celebrate the yuletide in a hilariously tipsy state. In the poignant reminiscence “One Christmas,” six-year-old Buddy journeys to New Orleans for a reunion with his estranged father that shatters many illusions. And in “The Thanksgiving Visitor,” Miss Sook invites an unexpected guest to the holiday meal: the school bully, Odd Henderson, whom Buddy calls “the meanest human creature in my experience.” Distinguished by Capote’s delicate interplay of childhood sensibility and recollective vision, these three classics are gems that celebrate the unique bonds of friends and family. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Modern Library


Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 12, 1996


Edition ‏ : ‎ Reissue


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 128 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0679602372


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 78


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.6 x 7.54 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #25,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #146 in Biographical & Autofiction #266 in Holiday Fiction (Books) #306 in Short Stories Anthologies


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Beautiful holiday stories that hold up to repeat readings
Format: Hardcover
I had never read any of Truman Capote's stories until a good friend recommended "A Christmas Memory". I looked up the title here on Amazon and was pleased to discover that this particular edition by The Modern Library contains three stories, i.e. "A Christmas Memory", "One Christmas", and "The Thanksgiving Visitor". My favorite is of course the title story, "A Christmas Memory". The story recounts one Christmas in the life of young Buddy (who is actually Truman Capote himself) and his favorite cousin, Sook, an older lady who is deemed simple by many other adults but who is Buddy's kindred spirit and primary caregiver. When Cousin Sook announces "It's fruitcake weather!" one November morning, young Buddy knows he is in for an exciting time. Together the pair go about the countryside, looking for pecans, buying whiskey from Mr. Haha, a bootleg liquor maker, and finally, once all the ingredients have been assembled, the pair embark on a marathon baking session, making fruitcakes for an interesting group of people such as the President of the United States, people who have passed through Sook's and Buddy's lives, mere strangers who for some reason Sook shares an affinity. With her meager savings, Sook manages to get the cakes baked and delivered. The story is short but very well-written, it evokes a time long gone, and Sook is a memorable character indeed. The reader can tell that Capote who is the Buddy in the story loves Sook deeply and the pair's antics will have readers alternately chuckling and crying. In "One Christmas", the author narrates the time when as a young boy, he is sent to spend Christmas in New Orleans with his father. Buddy is reluctant and unwilling to leave his beloved Sook and familiar surroundings in their small Alabama town, but eventually gives in and makes the trip all by himself. This was the period of the Great Depression where many are without, but Buddy discovers his father (who is divorced from Buddy's mother) is actually quite well-off. The story explores the fragile father-son relationship with a great depth of credibility. Buddy hardly knows this stranger who is his dad and is wary of the man, but over the short period of time leading up to Christmas, a tenuous bond forms between the pair. The ending is heartwrenching, and I wept as I read the pain within this little boy and the agony suffered by his father. "One Christmas" is one of those bittersweet family holiday stories that will remain in readers' hearts for a long time. Finally, there's "The Thanksgiving Visitor" which in brief is a story about Buddy and the school bully, a boy named Odd Henderson. Odd is described as "the meanest human creature in my experience", a twelve-year-old who makes Buddy's life at school a living hell, to the point that Buddy dreads going to school. Sook in an attempt to help Buddy, invites Odd to their home for Thanksgiving dinner. Buddy is horrified, picturing Odd thinking up new ways to torment him, but there's a surprise in store for all concerned. I loved this story for the compassion displayed by Sook, and would recommend this selection for anyone looking for a wonderful, heartwarming holiday read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2012 by Z Hayes
    • Gorgeous, poignant, and of another time.
Format: Hardcover
This is the third Christmas season in a row that I have read Capote's holiday trilogy and I am NEVER disappointed. These pieces all come from Capote's personal childhood life and are all interconnected. They detail his southern childhood and the unique friendship he had as a child with an elderly cousin with whom he lived. The prose is gorgeous and the imagery palpable. I have recommended this collection to many friends and fellow readers and I have not heard one complaint yet. In fact, "A Christmas Memory" is my all time favorite holiday story. There is joy, sadness and an old fashioned charm that I have simply not found anywhere else. Each story can be read in about 20 minutes, but each is exquisite in that it will stick with you, maybe even haunt you. They are human and unique. I cannot recommend these stories enough. A fabulous Christmas/holiday gift for the reader in your life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2010 by Elvis girl
    • Quick and (mostly) heartwarming
Format: Kindle
These short stories by Truman Capote are enjoyable, quick, and well-written. My favorite was the lovely little story in the middle, so charming and heartwarming. If you've never read Mr. Capote's works before, this is a welcoming one to give you just a taste.
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2016 by Jacqueline M Jasek
    • That fruitcake story
Format: Hardcover
Yes, this is the fruitcake story that made you crave a Christmas cake you never knew you needed. I read it in fifth grade and had to find it because I'm almost 50 and suddenly getting nostalgic. It didn't disappoint. I've still never made fruitcake, but there's much more to this sweet story than desserts. It's a classic! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2026 by stephanie
    • A Tear Round Treat
Format: Hardcover
Capote was a superb author! I am normally not a fan of short stories, but I thoroughly enjoyed his.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2026 by SAZ
    • lovely book
Format: Hardcover
I enjoyed reading this book....very nice. Thank you!
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2026 by connie lampen
    • Ann Patchett recommended this Truman Capote book
Format: Hardcover
I bought 2 copies as Christmas gifts for friends after I heard Ann speak about it. I read it first and it's an OK story. I'm not sure why she recommended it.
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025 by K. Fisshow
    • Heartwarming
Format: Kindle
Simple but wonderful recollections from a child’s point of view during the Depression in the south. Excellent narration with just the right amount of emotion. Easy to understand why this is a classic.
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2025 by Regis Murphy

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