This was a fun book to read although it did drag a little. That's not why it took me a month to read it. The reason is that I don't read as much as I used to, something I'm hoping to change in the new year.
Anyway, I was totally enchanted with the idea of The Autobiography of Santa Claus "as told to" Jeff Guinn. Santa's always been a magical figure in my life and I think I even sort of half-way believe in him.
One of the things I liked about this book was that Santa--who started out life as Nicholas of Lycia in the Middle East in an area later claimed by Turkey--gives credit for the idea of helping and gift giving to Jesus and his birth. That eases the sting of commercialism a little, doesn't it? Nicholas's early attempts at giving presents is totally hilarious. I figured I was going to be in love with the book.
Now I get to what I did not like about the book: too much history and meeting famous people. I would have loved the story if it stayed focused on Nicholas, Layla (who became his wife) and loyal friend/partner in crime Felix. I feel like I didn't get to know them well enough. Nicholas meets and inducts into his merry band of gift givers Attila the Hun (!!!???), King Arthur, Leonardo da Vinci...get it? There's just too much history and too many characters for one book. After awhile I began to wonder what famous person is not an elf?
Still, it was fun. Try it!
Posted by Cassie at December 28, 2006 08:25 PM | TrackBack