Abbie Farwell Brown (1871–1927)

"You are so unimaginative!... You judge the tale finished while the best has yet to be told."

Those are two of my favorite lines from the classic, Christmas-Carol-esque tale The Christmas Angel by author Abbie Farwell Brown. Here we find a bitter, lonely old woman occupying herself on Christmas Eve with earnest tasks: burning toys in her fireplace and conducting covert little experiments on the public to prove to herself that the Christmas spirit is a humbug.

Oh, I didn't eat it up quite like the Dickens classic this fantastical work resembles in different ways, but I still found it worth the time. I got a little nervous at the appearance of two Jewish boys in the story, wondering how the author would handle them in this tale from 1910—and a Christmas tale at that. But I breathed easier after while. What's more, my heart nodded in agreement with one character's sentiments about people who supposedly know so much better than others and wind up miserable.

This old-fashioned read is a fairy tale, but its messages ring true, and not just for Christmas.… (mehr)

This short but sweet story resembles “A Christmas Carol” is certain respects. Set on Christmas Eve, we meet an old woman who despises the time of year, but something supernatural persuades her to changes her ways. Instead of ghosts, we have the Christmas Angel.

Of the characters, I felt most sympathetic towards ten-year-old Mary, who’s an orphan forced to live with drunken relatives who don’t care about her.

Although this story is ideally tailored for children, I can vouch that it’s suitable for adults too. I really like the feel-good factor.… (mehr)