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Christmas, Present

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Arrives Jan 17 – Jan 19
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Description

From the 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean comes this heartwarming Christmas story of a family who comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and to live each year of their lives as if it were their last.A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it's not exactly a landmark year—like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date—two days before Christmas—turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last. In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a woman calmly gathers her family around her during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together—both past and future—and to truly count their blessings.A family history unfolds in a single night in this deeply affecting story that speaks volumes about love, trust, and letting go—a perfect holiday read that underscores the true meaning of the season.“Mitchard’s gift is her ability to present her characters in a compassionate light, even when revealing them at their weakest moments.”—Us Weekly Read more

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Compressed but complete
Format: Kindle
I have no idea how Ms. Mitchard managed to tell such a complete story, outlining an entire adult life in a novel which takes place in 24 hours. But she did. Story is set in today's time in Boston, and tells the story of a married woman with children and spotlights 24 hours in her life. The novel makes us think about what our lives mean and what is important to us. I believe the questions are not gender specific. I would definitely read this again. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2015 by Gentle Reader
    • TOUCHING, SAD, HOPEFUL HOLIDAY TALE........
Format: Hardcover
This touching holiday story begins Elliot Banner's struggle with what to get his beloved wife Laura for their anniversary (which one is it? Is it the important one?), and finally settles on tickets to Cirque du Soleil and dinner at their favorite restaurant. At the conclusion of what would have otherwise been a perfect evening, tragedy begins to unfold in the form of an intense headache experienced by Laura after their car becomes disabled. Laura seemingly irrationally insists upon going to the hospital, where after a series of diagnostic tests, the news is given to them that Laura is dying, and that what is happening within her brain is inoperable. The doctor says that she has perhaps 8-12 hours to live....and so the family begins to gather. Although the ending is sad, the conclusion inescapable....Laura leaves her family with what the reader will see as her final and most precious gift to them...hope. Enjoyable and a tear-jerker, readers should enjoy this tale of hope and a "life will go on" message, delivered during the holiday season. DYB ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2004 by Dana Y. Bowles
    • Five Stars
Format: Hardcover
Great book.
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2015 by Nat
    • It begins with Elliot contemplating their 14th wedding anniversary.
Format: Kindle
At their anniversary celebration, Laura and Elliot's world changes forever. An emotional, heartbreaking, devastating, compelling tale; ramblings about past, present and speculations for the future. This quote says it well, "Your life really does go on instant replay." It is a short, but compact story. It makes you reflect upon the happy, sad, mad moments of your life and how precious those moments are. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2014 by barbieheart
    • Not the cozy Christmas story you might be looking for
Format: Hardcover
Family history is explored in the course of one fateful night while Laura & Elliot Banner are out celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary. Laura starts to have intense head pain during dinner which she assumes is a migraine. Hours later, she's noticeably showing a shift in personality. Elliot, scared and concerned, quickly calls for an ambulance. Laura is rushed to the hospital where she is diagnosed with an inoperable brain blockage. She has only hours to live. Suddenly, the family is slammed with the realization that this will be their last Christmas together. Siblings and children are contacted and rushed to Laura's side so that everyone may have their moment to say goodbye. Yeaaah, not the uplifting cozy read you might guess from the cover. It does have its sweet moments but overall ... well, this was personally just too damn sad for a holiday story for me. Plus there's the sense of being rushed through the story... not only because of the focus of the plot (the medical emergency) but also this being novella length... the reader barely gets to know these folks before they're heading out of your reading life once again. Not a bad read, just not entirely satisfying for me. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018 by EpicFehlReader
    • Brevity is the Soul of Mitchard
Format: Hardcover
As far as I know, this author is noted for long novels; so this short work must be a real departure for the writer who rocketed to fame with "The Deep End of the Ocean" and other hefty narratives. My point is this: "Christmas, Present" might be to Mitchard's work what "The Old Man and the Sea" was to Hemingway's canon or what "The Long March" is to William Styron or what "Sula" is to Toni Morrison. It's a perfectly formed, incredibly concise, deeply moving short novel. This is proof positive that Artie Shaw was right when saying: "Simple is best." NOT simple-minded, but simple in the sense that the story's contours, its characters, the time-frame and the details are all so incredibly right. Yes, it's a family-oriented novel (like Mitchard's other works); and yes it bears down heavily on the intricacies of parent-child relationships and also the connective tissue between a dying wife and her traumatized husband. But the magic here is in the author's control of her material: this book can be read in one long sitting; it's a perfect stocking-stuffer. It's also a short novel that will touch your soul. What a work! Grab a copy w/a box of Kleenex. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2003 by Mikail
    • Live Today
Format: Hardcover
How a family & the patient deals with imminent death is touching & instructive.
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2017 by Puanani
    • Wisdom for any time of year
Format: Hardcover
What I love about this short novel is its truth. This is life the way it really is. The series of characters surrounding the dying woman are skillfully and unsentimentally drawn. Kids wonder whether they will have enough money to keep the dog, one daughter scolds her mother for dying, the husband criticizes his mother-in-law's unskilled mothering. This is anything but syrupy sweet. The book teaches us to be accepting and non-jugemental of all these well-meaning if flawed humans. And it teaches us to be grateful for the moments we have in this life. It reminds me of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" or Jane Kenyon's "Otherwise." It will stay with you for a long time. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2005 by Marilyn Carien

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