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Title: Our Simple Gifts : Civil War Christmas Tales by Owen Parry ISBN: 0-06-001378-8 Publisher: William Morrow Pub. Date: 22 October, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.9 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Gifts of grace and wonder
Comment: Readers of Owen Parry's series of Civil War novels have been the fortunate recipients of his exquisite literary gifts for several years now. With this collection of Civil War Christmas tales, Parry offers a sublime treasure for the holiday season. These are stories of the human spirit prevailing over the ravages of war, of quiet triumphs of hope and kindness over suffering and indignity. With their grace and wonder, these tales offer a welcome respite for anyone seeking the soul of a season now besieged by crass clutter. A perfect Christmas gift from a truly gifted writer.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Modern Christmas Carol
Comment: In his other persona, Owen Parry is a prominent retired army officer who writes brilliantly on national defense and strategy. It comes as a surprise, therefore, to find these gentle stories written by the same hand. This is fine historical fiction. Not only do the characters stay within their historical period - no distracting anachronisms here - but so does the writing. The stories are upbeat and completely ingenuous. They might not be cynical enough for modern tastes, so here is a test: if you enjoy A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, you will love this book. If your tastes run more toward Tim Burton's Christmas tale, you probably won't enjoy it, although you should read it anyway: it would be good for your head. No matter what your tastes, however, no one should miss the last story in the collection. It is not only the finest in the book, but a classic work which illustrates the human condition better than any other story written in the last 100 years. The protagonist is a newly freed slave who had been unspeakably abused by his "masters." Now the tide has turned, the men are dead in the war and the mistress of the house is on the verge of losing everything to the bank and about to be cast out with her retarded daughter. The simple act of Christian kindness which the slave shows toward the women brilliantly illustrates the evil of slavery and the importance of religion. This isn't Dickens; it's much much better than that.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Gem of a book
Comment: If you are in the habit of giving jewels for Christmas, then you should have given this little gem for the holidays! Owen Parry has proved himself the master of the Civil War mystery novel with his Abel Jones series. Now he proves himself the master of the short story with *Our Simple Gifts*, a small collection of four stories set in the American Civil War. Parry again shows his unique flair for character development, as well as mid-19th century American idiom, prejudice and social setting. My favourite was the first story, "Star of Wonder", if only because it is the longest of the four in the book, with consequent fuller character development, but all four are excellent in their way. If you missed the opportunity for reading and giving this year, I strongly suggest you buy now for next year's stocking. One does not even to need to be a christian to enjoy this wonderful offering! Well done, Owen!
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Title: Bold Sons of Erin : A Novel of Suspense by Owen Parry ISBN: 006051390X Publisher: William Morrow Pub. Date: 14 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Honor's Kingdom by Owen Parry ISBN: 006051079X Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 29 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Shadows of Glory by Owen Parry ISBN: 0380820870 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 04 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Call Each River Jordan by Owen Parry ISBN: 0060009225 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 02 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: Faded Coat of Blue by Owen Parry ISBN: 0380797399 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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