While not exclusively seasonal reads, two of my favorite classic stories feature Christmas-themed elements and are particularly meaningful to read during the holidays.
Technically the second book in the popular Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the story that introduced many young readers to the magic of Narnia.
Clive Staples Lewis’ mesmerizing tale includes obvious symbols of the holidays with Father Christmas, special gifts, and sleigh rides through the snow. While many readers consider the novel to be an Christian allegory and C.S. Lewis wrote about his religious views in some of his other works, Lewis explicitly resisted categorizing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as an allegory.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
John Irving’s classic novel about a young man with a damaged voice who views himself as God’s instrument on earth isn’t exactly a Christmas story either and at 640 pages may require a hefty time commitment to read during the busy holiday season. But conveniently, the story about transformative friendship between Johnny Wheelwright and Owen Meany can be read in sections. In the first third, John Irving describes a riotous Christmas pageant directed by and starring Owen Meany himself as well as a somber performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol that offers readers a seasonal emotional roller coaster ride.
Pick up the story as time allows or even after the holidays to read about Owen’s college days and early adulthood in the second and third sections of the book. It's one of my favorite stories!
Happy holidays and happy reading!
Information Specialist
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| Season's Greetings from Sharon Forks Library |
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