Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh is actually a bit of a somber Christmas read for much of the volume. However, this is an aspect of the book I really liked. So many times Christmas volumes focus on wanting to get right to the apex of the story so a "conversion" can occur immediately and radiate good cheer outward for the bulk of the volume. I don't find this to be completely realistic. Many of us have to travel through several dark nights of the soul before we find the truths that have been waiting for us all along. I like that Remembering Christmas seems to operate along these premises.
It does this through the character of Rick Denton. When we first meet Rick he is a pompous, self-absorbed accountant in South Carolina. When his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is actually kind of irritated that his weekend ski trip plans were upset and doesn't particular appreciate having to drive to Florida to take care of his mother and stepfather's Christian book shop.
It takes Rick quite a while to begin to warm up to his surroundings and actually operate well within them. However, one doesn't have to wait for him to warm up to begin to sense the thaw and like him more and more. I actually liked Rick a lot earlier in the book than his love interest did which was a bit surprising and my only beef with the book.
The text of this book seemed to be a bit more judgmental than the copy in other Dan Walsh books I have read. Perhaps this is because it is set in a more modern time while the other book was not. Whatever the case, there was just several irksome little moments like the girl commenting that she liked the Beatles before they went all Eastern religion and that their "She Loves You" days were so much better. Blah. A lot of their stuff across their entire career was a bit silly, including the song above. Dissing Eastern religion in a sly manner was unnecessary.
Beyond this, I did enjoy the book. It was a lot more developed than many Christmas reads - a true seasonal delight.
Remembering Christmas is available as of September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of
Baker Publishing Group.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.
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