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Man Who Saved Christmas - Review by Deborah Tompkins Johnson
12/23/2006 9:07:00 AM
by Jeff Ovall
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| A review of "The Man Who Saved Christmas" dated December 23, 2006, written by Deborah Tompkins Johnson for a Washington, DC suburb newspaper, The Potomac News - Manassas Journal Messenger. |
A startling way to save Christmas
By Deborah Tompkins Johnson
If you wonder sometimes whether to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Holidays, and you wish you didn't wonder that, you might be interested in reading "The Man Who Saved Christmas."
If you wonder about the debate over nativity scenes placed on government property or get perturbed when friends or neighbors complain about the same, you will definitely want to read Jeff Ovall's novella, "The Man Who Saved Christmans."
The local author has taken the debate over Christmas decorations - the nativity in particular, and other religious symbols like the cross and the Star of David - and uses wit, shock and even a bit of humor to register his stance in the debate.
This is definitely a book for the mature adult, including the mature young adult. Some of the characters would appeal to young adults and the ultimate lesson warrants their attention. But I say it's a book for the mature person because Ovall intentionally startles at the beginning to get our attention. And he shocks us later to make his point.
A STARTLING START
A winter snow storm opens the novel. Quickly added are a father, mother and child: Yes, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. But we soon meet another father, mother and child. The second family is accosted by police. The lighted nativity scene setting in their yard is the reason.
A SHOCKING SECOND
We get through the nativity, family and police scene, begin to relax into the book, and oh my, Ovall shocks and jolts us again. We are left somewhat disturbed as we begin to wonder how the characters and activity can settle down to save Christmas. Well, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, Ovall comes through with an unanticipated ending.
"The Mand Who Saved Christmas" is cleverly written. While you can probably read it in less than an hour, it lingers with you.
As I mentioned earlier, Ovall is a local author. From his bio we learn he has won a first-place prize for a science fiction story, titled "The Rocking Chair" and his first novel, "Chronicles of the HEDGE," proved popular among readers.
You can find "The Man Who Saved Christmas" and "Chronicles of the HEDGE" at bookstores and at online retailers.
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