This book is a selection of
short stories from different households during the Christmas (but not necessarily Festive) Season. It is filled with Maeve Binchy's wit and easy style and powerfully evokes the lives of wives, husbands, children, friends and lovers, all set during one holiday when feelings cannot easily be hidden.
There are step-families grappling with exes, long maried couples faced with in law problems, a wondering husband choosing between the other woman and his wife, a child caught up in a grown up tug of war......... Not very thought provoking but a very easy-read book to pick up and put down for a few minutes over the Christmas period.
I probably enjoyed it more by reading it during this period myself and would have found it less topical and relevant at any other time. A little saccharin sweet at times and a literary equivalent of a mug of Horlicks at bed time.
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