Drawing on the rich folk culture of Ireland, John B. Keane's collection of seventeen original tales humorously presents the holiday dreams and everyday shortcomings of ordinary country people during the Christmas season. Not only do Keane's stories delightfully, and often sardonically, explore the foibles of Irish humanity, they also discover the intelligences behind them with shrewdness and compassion. Throughout this winning collection, whether visiting "The Greatest Wake of All" or illuminating "The Seven Year Trance" or telling the tales of "The Hermit of Scartnabrock" and "Awlingal Princess of Cunnackeenamadra," Ireland's favorite storyteller bears benevolent testimony to the inhabitants and Christmas traditions of his colorful County Kerry. "Creates a charming emotional map of a fictitious but authentic-seeming place."--Boston Globe "A sage, sardonic voice.... Handle[s] sentiment in a way that respects both the story and the audience."--Minneapolis Star Tribune ".... if a body likes Irish humor and tales, this ... will be a fine bit to place under the tree."--Publishers Weekly