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36th out of 391 books
—
556 voters
A Redbird Christmas
by
Fannie Flagg
With the same incomparable style and warm, inviting voice that have made her beloved by millions of readers far and wide, "New York Times" bestselling author Fannie Flagg has written an enchanting Christmas story of faith and hope for all ages that is sure to become a classic.
Deep in the southernmost part of Alabama, along the banks of a lazy winding river, lies the sleep...more
Deep in the southernmost part of Alabama, along the banks of a lazy winding river, lies the sleep...more
Mass Market Paperback, 224 pages
Published
October 25th 2005
by Fawcett
(first published January 2004)
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Better than warm chocolate chip cookies and a fire in the fireplace, Fannie Flagg always makes me feel good about the world and people in general. A Redbird Christmas tells a very touching story about a man on the brink of death in Chicago who is advised to move South to a more temperate climate or risk dying from pneumonia. With only a medical pension, he cannot afford Florida, but he can afford to rent a room on the Lost River in Alabama where, for the first time in his life, he finds a home...more
What a talented writer. I don't usually enjoy the run of the mill, sappy sweet Christmas stories, but lucky for me this wasn't one of them. While the story is very sweet, it isn't predictable. The characters are varied, and like-able, and the story moves quickly, and stays interesting. A great Christmas story.
Dec 03, 2012
Sharon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone looking for a nice Christmas-themed read
Shelves:
fiction
In looking for a Christmas-themed book for our next book club meeting, our group fell upon this selection. We had read other Fannie Flagg novels, so this represented a safe choice because we already knew what we could expect. As is usual for Ms. Flagg, the story, A Redbird Christmas, is set in a small Alabama town populated by a quirky, yet endearing cast of characters -- including a fledgling redbird named Jack. The major characters have each lost something -- whether it be their love interest,...more
This book was about a man who moved down to Spouthern Alabama on the advice of his Doctor. The pamplet the Doctor gave him ended up being from the early 1900's, but, the man still decided to move there because his health supposedly was supposed to get better. He had some severe breathing disorders. He got to this small town and they took him in as if he had been living there his whole life. This story takes place mostly over 2 Christmas'. A little girl comes into play in this story, Patsy. After...more
I am so glad that I managed to find this gorgeous little book by Fannie Flagg, it really did give me a glow in my heart. Fannie Flagg is one of those authors who makes you believe that miracles really do happen. Her books are just so heartwarming to read and full of surprises and wonder.
This is a rather short book but packed full to the brim of interesting and heartwarming characters. The book begins with Oswald, a depressed former alcoholic who has been given months to live. After reading a br...more
This is a rather short book but packed full to the brim of interesting and heartwarming characters. The book begins with Oswald, a depressed former alcoholic who has been given months to live. After reading a br...more
This was the December selection for the local library's book discussion group. I did not attend that meeting but still read the book.
After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River, Alabama. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of...more
After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River, Alabama. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of...more
Our book club book for the November/December read was A Redbird Christmas by the author of Fried Green Tomatoes, Fannie Flag.
Let me first say that I do not like Christmas books - but I actually liked this one. I think I liked A Redbird Christmas because it was not so much about how the characters celebrated the holiday, or what they did during the holiday, but instead about what happened between two Christmases that so changed the characters lives. I like stories about characters I want to root...more
Let me first say that I do not like Christmas books - but I actually liked this one. I think I liked A Redbird Christmas because it was not so much about how the characters celebrated the holiday, or what they did during the holiday, but instead about what happened between two Christmases that so changed the characters lives. I like stories about characters I want to root...more
I read this book in one sitting in Borders today as an indulgence. It is the kind of thing I might check out as light reading from a fiction library were I a member of one, but at £6.99 I wouldn't buy it. (Particularly as I finished it in under 2.5 hours).
A quaint story set in small-town America it started out well but the end of the book seemed to be tied up very quickly and fairly unbelievably. Snow falling in Alabama in December 26th when the day before it was 50 degrees and warm enough to w...more
A quaint story set in small-town America it started out well but the end of the book seemed to be tied up very quickly and fairly unbelievably. Snow falling in Alabama in December 26th when the day before it was 50 degrees and warm enough to w...more
Совершенно не хочется анализировать художественные достоинства этой книги, коих наберется не так уж и много. Язык повествования прост и незатейлив, а сюжет, который начинается со знакомства с персонажем, чей жизненный путь неизменно должен оборваться в ближайшее время, скатывается в приторную оду оптимизму. Обладая большим потенциалом, заведомо интересными персонажами и доброй атмосферой книга не выходит за рамки среднестатистического чиклита пусть и в своеобразном сеттинге. Вопреки всему этому...more
This one came up for a discussion many moons ago - guess it was around Christmas . . . duh . . . I'm just getting around to listening to my audio version now.
I like the way it's kind of serious yet light and funny at the same time.
I like the way the old guy described how he never seemed to fit into the world - how he was probably born with odd socks, etc.
.............
I'll add to my review when I'm a little farther along . . . or finished entirely.
I finished listening to it tonight - delightful...more
I like the way it's kind of serious yet light and funny at the same time.
I like the way the old guy described how he never seemed to fit into the world - how he was probably born with odd socks, etc.
.............
I'll add to my review when I'm a little farther along . . . or finished entirely.
I finished listening to it tonight - delightful...more
This is just a plain old fashioned heartwarming story, fast paced and a refreshing escape from some of the "oh so serious" issues of today. I loved the dialog, rich descriptions of the South and the characters. You will laugh, you will cry and be chilled with inspiration. Enter Oswald T. Campbell--Chicago native, orphan, divorced, practically penniless alcoholic, recently diagnosed with a terminal illness and given only months to live. His doctor encourages Oswald to move to the South to escape...more
I read this for a book discussion group that I belong to. Very sappy like most Christmas books tend to be. However, I finished it and enjoyed it. I decided to institute a new Christmas tradition and read this book to my 10 year old granddaughter. The tradition has changed slightly in that she is reading it to me. There are times that she will stumble on a word, but I help her and explain the meaning of the word.
I'm looking forward to the discussion of this book next week as I have asked several...more
I'm looking forward to the discussion of this book next week as I have asked several...more
When Oswald T. Campbell is told by his doctor that if he doesn't get to a warmer climate for the winter, he'll die, he's not quite sure what to do with himself. He's lonely and bored and doesn't have a soul to love him. Salvation arrives in the form of an old brochure for a health retreat in southern Alabama.
What Oswald finds in Lost River is surprising, most of all to him. After living in Chicago for so long, his the culture shock is overwhelming. As with Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle St...more
What Oswald finds in Lost River is surprising, most of all to him. After living in Chicago for so long, his the culture shock is overwhelming. As with Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle St...more
Book on CD read by the author
This is a charming story set in a small town of Lost River, Alabama. On the advice of his doctor, Oswald Campbell leaves snowy Chicago to rest his lungs in the milder climate of Southern Alabama. He’s not sure what he was expecting, but it wasn’t a tiny town of just over 100 residents, all of whom seem to already know him before he even arrives. Slowly he becomes friends with the residents of the community, and especially with one little girl – an orphan like himself...more
This is a charming story set in a small town of Lost River, Alabama. On the advice of his doctor, Oswald Campbell leaves snowy Chicago to rest his lungs in the milder climate of Southern Alabama. He’s not sure what he was expecting, but it wasn’t a tiny town of just over 100 residents, all of whom seem to already know him before he even arrives. Slowly he becomes friends with the residents of the community, and especially with one little girl – an orphan like himself...more
I read this book as part of the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge and it was definitely filled with Christmas Spirit. Oswald Campbell was told by his doctor in Chicago that if he didn't get out of the cold city, he would be dead by Christmas. He also gave him a brochure of a little place in Alabama that his father sent people to to get out of the north cold. Oswald investigated and made the trip to Lost River, Alabama. There he found a community of wonderful people who welcomed him and helped h...more
This is just a delightful book. I first read a condensed version about three years ago and then got the book on Amazon. It's about a man who is given a death sentence by his doctor. He changes locations, lifestyles and interests and along the way runs into a delightful little girl.
Two quotes: "On the way back home, Oswald thought about it and wondered which was worse, being an accordion player or being an alcoholic. He figured it was a toss-up." (page 95)
"The only time he did not fish was on Sat...more
Two quotes: "On the way back home, Oswald thought about it and wondered which was worse, being an accordion player or being an alcoholic. He figured it was a toss-up." (page 95)
"The only time he did not fish was on Sat...more
This one of my top ten all time Christmas Books. It will put you into the Christmas Spirit. Patsy is a southern Tiny Tim. Oswald's life is transformed and discovers this wonderful town. I want to go to Alabama and visit Lost River! And meet all the wonderful, caring and zany people. I would like Fannie Flagg to do another Lost River book with all the great peoply. Especially Roy and Frances and Oswald and Mildred and Dottie - their dreams seem to come true through the magic of Christmas and with...more
"It was only November sixth, Chicago had just been hit with its second big blizzard of the season, and Mr. Oswald T. Campbell guessed he had stepped in every ice-cold ankle-deep puddle of dirty white slush it was possible to step in, trying to get to his appointment." Living 100 miles north of Chicago, I have a pretty good idea of the sort of misery Fannie Flagg is introducing her readers to. Turns out Mr. Campbell has an authentic case of the "fixing-to-die blues, and when he decides to head so...more
This is the whimsical story of a hard-luck orphan, Oswald T. Campbell, mostly named for the can of Campbell's Tomato [T:] soup found in the basket with him. Given only a month or so to live, his Chicago doctor sends him to Lost River, Alabama, where a sanitarium once was located. He is quickly absorbed into the warm and friendly community of this wee village (pop. between 50 and 110), and little by little recovers not only his health but his faith in his fellow man.
The town is populated by Colo...more
The town is populated by Colo...more
This book was OK - just ok. A little too mushy for my taste but a very quick and easy read for book club. I feel like it would be a nice book for my 11 year old daughter to read - nice story - just a little too nice for my taste - I feel bad writing that because I do like nice and I did not dislike the book - it was just ok.
1 like · like · see review
This was an audio book that I randomly grabbed for something to listen to in the car. In addition to the rural Southern humor I expected, this book delivered so much more in the form of a heart warming tale of goodness, sharing, love and redemption.
Novel - Deep in southern Alabama lies the little community of Lost River. After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold of Chicago to spend his last Christmas in Lost River. There he meets the postman who deliv...more
Novel - Deep in southern Alabama lies the little community of Lost River. After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold of Chicago to spend his last Christmas in Lost River. There he meets the postman who deliv...more
Oswald T. Campbell's doctor has told him that if he doesn't spend the winter in a warmer climate then it may be his last. Oswald packs up and moves to the small town of Lost River, Alabama. Once he gets there he is greeted by a cast of colorful characters, including a store-owner and his little redbird named Jack.
A Redbird Christmas is classic Fannie Flagg. It's filled with colorful, Southern characters with good hearts and intentions. It's a little on the sappy side but it's a Christmas story s...more
A Redbird Christmas is classic Fannie Flagg. It's filled with colorful, Southern characters with good hearts and intentions. It's a little on the sappy side but it's a Christmas story s...more
Not as good as Fried Green Tomatoes, but still quite enjoyable. Flagg brings Oswald T. Campbell from Chicago to the tiny Alabama town of Lost River in order to recover from the damage he's done to his lungs over the years (smoking, plus a bout with tuberculosis when he was a child). While in Lost River, Oswald becomes a member of the community. The real plot begins when a young girl named Patsy arrives in their town, and everyone has to pitch in to help her, especially a little redbird by the na...more
What a lovely read! I finished it in one evening and totally fell in love with this story and all the characters. This is my second Fannie Flagg book; and now I really want - I really need - to read all her books.
This book is homy and cozy and comforting. It's totally heart-warming!
This book is homy and cozy and comforting. It's totally heart-warming!
I have just finished this book which was the December choice for my local book group. The only other book of Fannie Flagg's that I've read is her famous (and filmed) Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. A Redbird Christmas is what is often called 'a heartwarming story' in which all the ends are neatly tied up as the book finishes and I really found it altogether too sweet for my taste. Fried Green Tomatoes had some rather dark moments in and I think you need some darkness to contrast w...more
Absolutely the best Christmas book ever! It's sweet, funny and touching. I've read it 4 times and given copies to friends. Fannie Flagg herself reads the audio version and I hear she's working on a movie version. I vote for William H. Macy for the lead.
Dec 13, 2010
Kristi (Books N Beans)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves what's best about Christmas time
Recommended to Kristi by:
The Next Best Book Club/ GR group
This was a very quick read for me as it was actually my 2nd time with the story. The first time was in audio, and this time was actually reading the book. There was no reason for the 2 different formats except for availability at the library at the time.
It had been about 3 or 4 years since I had "visited" Lost River, Alabama and its cast of characters, but I knew this was a lovely story and I was excited to revisit it.
The story starts with Mr. Campbell in Chicago, where he's told he needs to g...more
It had been about 3 or 4 years since I had "visited" Lost River, Alabama and its cast of characters, but I knew this was a lovely story and I was excited to revisit it.
The story starts with Mr. Campbell in Chicago, where he's told he needs to g...more
Acho que só não atribui uma estrela a este livro porque o consegui acabar sem que ele se tornasse muito aborrecido. No entanto, este livro não tem uma história muito cativante, nem sequer conclui de forma a trazer alguma finalidade aos protagonistas. Oswall T Campbell, a personagem principal, está supostamente à beira da morte e o médico aconselha-o a mudar de cidade, para um local mais amplo e calmo. Ele muda-se para Rio Perdido e integra-se na comunidade. Sem fazer grandes menções ao resto da...more
A Chicago man named Oswald T Campbell (named for a tomato soup can that was left with him when he was a baby, abandoned on the steps of a church) gets news from his doctor that his life is almost over due to the progression of emphysema. He is told to get out of Chicago in order to prolong his life. He is given a brochure for Lost River, Alabama, and heads for the tiny community. Upon reaching Lost River, he becomes immersed in their community and finds many friends including a little girl named...more
Three and a half stars because although many may find it twee, even corny, I so enjoyed reading it. Changed my mind and gave it four, it just stayed in my mind as a really lovely book.
1 like · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College English | 5 | 29 | Jan 18, 2013 01:29pm | |
| Hamburg Book Club: December's Book | 1 | 8 | Nov 17, 2011 05:24am |
Fannie Flagg began writing and producing television specials at age nineteen and went on to distinguish herself as an actress and writer in television, films, and the theater.
She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (which was produced by Universal Pictures as Fried Green Tomatoes), Welcome to the World, Baby...more
More about Fannie Flagg...
She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (which was produced by Universal Pictures as Fried Green Tomatoes), Welcome to the World, Baby...more
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Oct 20, 2009 10:00am