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Modern Library

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

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Description

Together in one festive, keepsake volume, here are the three holiday stories that Truman Capote 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


Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 870L


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Beautiful holiday stories that hold up to repeat readings
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
    • Heartwarming Christmas Story.
The first story in this book is my most favorite Christmas story. It's about a young boy and his elderly cousin who takes him under her wing and together, poor as they are, gather all the ingredients they need to make fruitcakes to give away for Christmas. They go into the woods to gather the nuts, etc. and your heart will be moved when you read all about it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024 by donald rockwood
    • Used but in excellent condition
I am using this for a book group.
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2024 by Ctoone
    • This book and the short stories by Truman Copote bring me back to my childhood.
I hope to share these stories with my child so we can share the memories. The quality of the book should allow me to pass it down through generations.
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024 by Don
    • Great stories
great book of stories gave as gifts everyone enjoyed
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2025 by AML
    • ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL
Capote writes from his heart and personal experience as a young boy growing up in a small south Alabama town near Mobile. His relationship with a much older cousin and their adventure in baking Christmas fruit cakes and flying kites make for an adorable and memorable story of old southern charm. At age 10, the boy, Buddy, is shipped off to military school. He leaves his friend and the traditions he grew up loving the most. It's a sweet story about two gentle souls who were best of friends and loved one another genuinely. Andif you nuy the edition that includes the CD of Celeste Holmes reading the story, you can double your pleasure and really sense the true love and pleasure these two shared with one another. It's the icing on a well baked cake, fruit cakes! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2023 by richard e whitelock
    • Warm memories
I read these stories when I was younger, and felt warm memories flooding through my mind again after so many years past. Capote is truly a writer for the ages.
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2024 by Dave The Magic Man
    • Mildly interesting
I thought the stories were well written and since they are short each is a quick read. The characters linger after reading which for me is a good sign. The storylines were not compelling.
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2020 by Pego44

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