Rating: 
Summary: Brevity is the Soul of Mitchard
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Brevity is the Soul of Mitchard
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: So Beautiful. It Makes You Refect
Review: At this time of year, plenty of trivial books are around, notably
Nicholas Sparks and Jan Karon's so-nothing bits of froth, this stands alone. It has well deserved its bestseller status and although I cired, I also laughed and felt great joy. not for the shallow.
Rating:
Summary: MUST READ
Review: Christmas Present... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Jacqueline Mitchard does it again! Her words wrap you in a wonderful, poignant story that will hold you through every page, evoking laughter, tears and a sense of peacefulness. This is a MUST READ & MUST ADD to your library and a MUST GIVE as a Christmas Present...
Rating: 
Summary: --Poignant--
Review: CHRISTMAS, PRESENT begins with Elliot Banner planning a very special wedding anniversary for his wife, Laura. He surprises her with tickets to see the Cirque du Soleil. It's just two days before their December 23rd anniversary and a few days before Christmas. Laura mentions that she has a headache, and on the way home their car breaks down in a busy tunnel. While they're waiting for a wrecker, the headache that Laura has been having escalates, and she becomes severely ill.
The story continues with a shocking diagnosis for Laura and a gathering of their children, Laura's siblings and mother at the hospital.
This is a very small book and a fast read. It's well written and although the title is appropriate, this is not your usual Christmas story. I do recommend this book, but some people may prefer not to read it until after Christmas. This is a serious and mind wrenching story!
Rating: 
Summary: If you want depressing, this is the book for you...
Review: First, I love books about Christmas. So when I saw this book, I thought it would be sad, but a happy tearful ending like "The Christmas Shoes". Wrong. This book was thrown together, not touching, and you wanted the character to die already to end it. The main character seemed almost blase about her impending death, spending more of her precious time sending people on errands, instead of talking to them. If you want a good Christmas read, try Joe Wheeler's series, "Christmas in my Heart". Those are heartwarming, while this is just horrid. A total waste of my time.
Rating:
Summary: The most depressing book, ever!
Review: I expected this book to be sad, but uplifting. This book was nothing but sad. I cried for the entire last half of the book and my husband thought that someone had really died! Overall, this is not an uplifting book, it is just depressing! Anyone who has a child will have a tough time getting through it emotionally in-tact. I am terribly sorry that I wasted my money on this book and will probably throw it away because I don't want it in my home or subject it to anyone else's eyes and heart! If you want an emotional but uplifting book, try any one of Nicholas Sparks' books...tearjerkers, but wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE
Review: I have to admit that I looked at this book with great cynicism. Imagine my pleasant surprise to find myself so gripped by the story that I could not put it down until I had finished it. I am a long-time Mitchard fan, and I think the reason I loved this book so much is the reason I run out to the store every time I hear she has a new one: she takes her stories seriously. This is the sort of topic that could easily turn into a gooey mess, but Mitchard's characterizations are so true to life that you feel like you're losing a loved one by the end of the story. I cannot recommend this book enough. What a great Christmas present!
Rating: 
Summary: Brutal, not touching
Review: I just finished reading this book, and couldn't understand the glowing praise it had garnered. I gave it 2 stars, because it was well written, but the story was brutal. The potential in the set up was there, but wasn't realized. Why was the surprising "secret" included? It didn't make me see the heroine as more human - it made me dislike her. Why did she keep sending people, e.g. her husband, her brother, on errands? That seemed cruel. The final chapter which could have been a balm, simply reinforced my impressions: this was a family which was brutal to each other and the death of the mother did nothing to change that. I cannot recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: And What a Christmas, Present it is
Review: I picked the book up thinking it would be a nice little gift for my sister. After reading the book jacket, I thought the author would be sending the message...life is short. After reading the book, I think the message is life is wonderful when shared. Shared with those you love. The author's use of description is amazing. I think I actaully smelled the halls of the hosptol as I read those pages. I finished the book and held my kids and husband. What started as a gift for my sister, became a gift to me. Now I am set for my Christmas gift giving. Thank you, Jacquelyn.
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