Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices

Rating:
Summary: Destined to become a classic!
Review: I don't use the word classic lightly. Everyone I have talked to who has read the book agrees that there is something special about this book. The author accomplishes a great deal in a relatively few number words.
Before you read this book, ask yourself this: how many books have you read gave you a real and abiding sense of hope? Up until I read Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices, I could only think of three books (the Bible, Magnificent Obession, and The Christmas Box) that gave me a sense of hope. Now there are four books on my list of hope engendering books.
I can't exactly tell you how great this book is...but read it, and you will find yourself writing a review like mine, trying to express how this book changed your life.

Rating:
Summary: Lyrical, and thought provoking
Review: I don't want to give away the ending of the story, but it left me deeply moved. And I thought, "What if what this book professess to be true really IS true?" I hope with all my heart that it is.

Allen's style is very moving and lyrical--almost impressionistic. Does anyone know if John Allen has written any other books. I did a net search and found other books by people named John Allen, but not the John Allen who wrote Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices. If there are other books by this particular John Allen I want to read them!!!

Rating:
Summary: This book is like great Oriental line drawing...
Review: Let me explain my headline. Have you ever noticed how many of the great Japanese and Chinese drawings are made up of only a very few, well-chosen lines? And much of the drawing is implied, but not drawn.
That's how Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices is. It does not contain a single unecessary word. In fact, it can be read in one sitting if you like. Allen portrays only the very important aspects of his story. The rest is implied. But because Allen has drawn his characters so deftly, the reader can fill in what is not written. I feel like I know the Sanders family in the book. I can't wait for Allen's next book!

Rating:
Summary: Loved Mel Gibson's The Passion...Loved this Book!!!
Review: One of my friends found out that I loved The Passion. She said, "If you liked The Passion, I think you'd like a book called Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices."

I countered, "Why would I want to read a Christmas book when it's not even Christmas?"

She said, "It's more than a Christmas book...just read it."

I humored her and read it. I loved it. Afterwards, I talked about the book with my friend and we compared the similarities with The Passion. Both depict suffereing and anguish...but both stories leave you with a quiet sense of hope.

"Got any other books you'd like to recommend?" I asked her.

She said, "Anything by C.S. Lewis."

Rating:
Summary: One of three books you need for Christmas
Review: The only three books you need for Christmas are: the Bible, A Christmas Carol (of course), and Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices.

These three books cover all the meanings and emotions associated with Christmas. Allen's book was a real surprise. I have never heard of it, but when I read the back cover, and read the recommendation of Mark Victor Hansen, that was enough for me to purchase it. I have now ordered nine extra copies for my closest friends.

You will LOVE this book. As the cover asserts, the story does give you comfort and hope.