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"Christmas Bells" is my first "date", so to speak, with author Jennifer Chiaverini. I was familiar with her name as the author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, and had heard good things about her reputation as a historical novelist with that book, so I was looking forward to this one.
This book intertwines the historical tale of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's family, and the story behind his poem titled "Christmas Bells", with several current-day story lines which take place in the Boston area. I fou ...more
This book intertwines the historical tale of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's family, and the story behind his poem titled "Christmas Bells", with several current-day story lines which take place in the Boston area. I fou ...more
Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini is a moving story that alternates between today's Boston and the Boston of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, during the Civil War. Both periods of time are cleverly intertwined by Longfellow's poem, Christmas Bells. Both stories are engaging but I truly enjoyed the historical fiction story best. Christmas Bells is a lovely Christmas read. I look forward to reading more from this author. 4 stars ...more
In alternating chapters, the reader is treated to a highly fictionalized account of Longfellow’s penning of ’”Christmas Bells”, and sentimental character sketches of individuals present at a children’s choir rehearsal. Reading this was like eating unsweetened cotton candy: flavorless, unsubstantial, but something to do if extremely bored.
