The winner of multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards, Connie Willis capture the timeless essence of generosity and goodwill in this magical collection if ...
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Dec 27, 2008
MB
rated it: 
Perfection!
There is a Christmas story in this book for everyone, whether you're a soppy sentimentalist, a B-movie lover or a fan of the disturbing. Brilliant. My only complaint is that I got the book from the library, and now I have to find a copy so I can own it!
There is a Christmas story in this book for everyone, whether you're a soppy sentimentalist, a B-movie lover or a fan of the disturbing. Brilliant. My only complaint is that I got the book from the library, and now I have to find a copy so I can own it!
Dec 27, 2011
Lesa
rated it: 
It’s December 23rd. Do your Christmas traditions include family readings, or reading for yourself? Have you pulled out your favorite Christmas books yet? Last year, I bought autographed copies for myself and my two sisters of Connie Willis’ Miracle and Other Christmas Stories. If you only know Willis as a science fiction writer who won numerous Hugo and Nebula awards, the author of To Say Nothing of the Dog, Doomsday Book, and Blackout/All Clear, among others, you’re missing a treat. More...
Jan 23, 2010
Robert
rated it: 
Okay, so what's a Nice Jewish Boy like myself doing reading Christmas stories? And why read them in January?
Because I love Connie Willis, that's why.
These stories, like so much of her writing, are a pure pleasure to read. Many of them are funny. Some are a bit depressing. Some are a bit disturbing. All of them are filled with people that you could swear you've met.
And that, I think, is a big part of the joy of reading something by Connie Willis: the peopl More...
Because I love Connie Willis, that's why.
These stories, like so much of her writing, are a pure pleasure to read. Many of them are funny. Some are a bit depressing. Some are a bit disturbing. All of them are filled with people that you could swear you've met.
And that, I think, is a big part of the joy of reading something by Connie Willis: the peopl More...
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Jan 02, 2010
Walt
rated it:
I've put the Connie Willis Christmas book away for now, stowed it carefully in my Kindle, and if it gets too crowded there, it'll always be available on my computer or in the Amazon archives. Come next November, however, I'll want it back there, right at the top of my reading list again, to savor some quirky story of Willis's in the quiet moments while waiting somewhere in a line, while riding in the car or bus to some destination, when a speaker's delivery isn't up to snuff, or when I'm waiting
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Dec 20, 2009
Kirsti
rated it:
These are nowhere near as good as her novels Doomsday Book and Passage and To Say Nothing of the Dog, but they are charming Christmas-related stories by the most-honored living science fiction writer, so that's worth something. The final piece, "Epiphany," is quite affecting, and "Miracle" and "Newsletter" are screwball comedies in short-story form.
I think my favorite parts were the introduction and the two afterwords, in which she explains what makes a More...
I think my favorite parts were the introduction and the two afterwords, in which she explains what makes a More...
Aug 20, 2009
Michael
rated it:
Connie Willis offers readers an early holiday gift with this wonderful short story collection. I admit that I found this book in the sci-fi section, but I honestly think it transcends that. Yes, it's got some stories that deal with themes common to science-fiction and have sci-fi elements, but it's more than that. There is a holiday themed mystery, an examination of the original Christmas story and even a story that sets out to prove why Willis thinks "Miracle on 34th Street" is a supe
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Dec 13, 2011
Brendan
rated it:
"Miracle and Other Christmas Stories" collects a variety of yuletide tales from SF and Fantasy author Connie Willis. There are a variety of delightful tales in the book, and it's well worth reading. Nothing stands out as amazing to me, but several are very good. Thoughts about a couple of them:
My favorite story is "Newsletter," which follows an amusing tale of suspicious Christmas cheer and the stress that the season brings on people. The fomenting horror More...
My favorite story is "Newsletter," which follows an amusing tale of suspicious Christmas cheer and the stress that the season brings on people. The fomenting horror More...
Nov 28, 2011
Julia
rated it:
As a Jew, I do not tend to seek out Christmas stories; but as a reader, I do read all of Connie Willis’ books. This is nine Christmas- themed short stories. (Plus there’s an introduction, afterward, and two lists: one of the twelve best Christmas stories and one of the twelve best Christmas movies.) “Inn” that I loved in The Winds of Marble Arch, is about a choir member rehearsing the Christmas pageant at her church, when a homeless couple, she is pregnant, they are young and don't speak English
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Dec 20, 2009
Teresa
rated it:
Will post full review after I'm done, but the title story was one of my favorites from Asimov Science Fiction magazine back about, oh, 15+ years ago. Some of the stories are definitely in the "amazing" category, but one I couldn't figure out, and another actually bored me. Still, Willis' writing is definitely above average, hence her being one of my favorite writers.
Update: just wanted to add that, now that I've finished the book, I'll keep the rating at 4. Mostly that's More...
Update: just wanted to add that, now that I've finished the book, I'll keep the rating at 4. Mostly that's More...
Dec 22, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
A Christmas favorite, I have just begun my annual re-read. A must for anyone looking for a good Christmas story. "Newsletter" and "Epiphany" are my favorites, with "Miracle" and "Inn" coming close behind, but all the stories are gems.
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Aug 05, 2011
Kerith
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Delightful, as is usual for Connie Willis. Most of the stories had the tone of BELLWETHER, which is hysterical and recommended. One tale took place in a bookshop and starred Dickens' famous Christmas Ghosts. Willis has a wonderful way of dropping references to other books, rather like Pamela Dean and her quotes. The bookshop story sticks in my mind, along with the creepy one about the obnoxious guy trapped in the toy store, the choir member meeting Mary & Joseph, and the final story about th
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Dec 21, 2011
Arlene
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Amazing book! Willis packs into each short story more heart, more soul, more of the true meaning of Christmas than all of the other holiday books I've read thus far. From the overtly spiritual of "Inn" and "Epiphany" to the soul rending "Adaptation" (Ms. Willis, should you read this review, I named my daughter Sara after "A Little Princess" - I knew that would be my daughter's name in 4th grade) which hit me particularly hard. There's the hilarious "M
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Jan 07, 2010
Debbie
rated it:
An unusual combination of Christmas stories and science fiction, this collectin of stories by Greeley, CO author Connie Wills (whom my daughters pointed out to me recently tapping away on her laptop in Starbucks in Greeley), is a fun holiday read. A couple of the stories were rather strange (even bordering on creepy), but overall I liked the tone and the hopeful images of her stories.
I read her book To Say Nothing of The Dog many years ago and loved it and I will have to find more of More...
I read her book To Say Nothing of The Dog many years ago and loved it and I will have to find more of More...
Dec 20, 2009
Patty
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I was looking for something to put me in the Christmas mood and remembered how much I had liked this book the first time I read it. It was good the second time also. I could pick it up read one story and then move on to other activities. This is what I love about short stories. I don't feel like I get caught up into a long story when I don't have time.
As much as I love the stories, I like the introduction and the lists at the end even more. I agree with Willis that It's a Wonder More...
As much as I love the stories, I like the introduction and the lists at the end even more. I agree with Willis that It's a Wonder More...
Dec 16, 2009
Leslie
rated it:
This is an enjoyable collection of short stories by Connie Willis all set during the Christmas season. My three favorites were "Inn," a vignette that shows the Holy Couple lost in time and appearing at a church pageant rehearsal, "Cat's Paw," a mystery involving a primate-loving socialite, and "Newsletter," a tale of alien parasites invoking a suspicious amount of good will and Christmas cheer. The author's depictions of the feel of the contemporary celebrations a
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Jan 24, 2012
Cheryl
rated it:
Connie Willis loves Christmas. This book of eight short stories is both entertaining and though-provoking. My favorites were "Miracle" and Epiphany", the first and last stories in the book. The first is a chaotic, magical story where nothing seems to go right, the last a modern retelling of the Three Magi. And don't skip the introduction or the afterward, you'll find references to great Christmas stories there, as well as in the included lists of twelve great Christmas reads and t
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Dec 12, 2011
Megan
rated it:
Reread. Because it's that time of year, and this is always a good read. Two of my three favorite stories are the ones that weren't previously published: "Cat's Paw" always delights me (a detective / country murder mystery story that's also awesomely science fiction--the sciences being biology, zoology, and psychology) and "Epiphany" fills me with longing and wonder and a happy sigh as I set the book down. (Also, Mel's understated horror at B.T. stealing a Bible always makes m
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Feb 15, 2008
Ana T.
rated it:
This book was recommended to me by T. I was a bit worried about trying it because I haven't been very fond of fantasy lately.
However it had a Christmas theme and I decided to follow her advice and start it. It was the best thing I did because I really enjoyed it.
I had never heard of Connie Willis but after browsing the WWW I discovered she is very well known in the Sci Fi community.
This is an anthology including 8 stories with a Christmas theme. I must say I also really e More...
However it had a Christmas theme and I decided to follow her advice and start it. It was the best thing I did because I really enjoyed it.
I had never heard of Connie Willis but after browsing the WWW I discovered she is very well known in the Sci Fi community.
This is an anthology including 8 stories with a Christmas theme. I must say I also really e More...
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Dec 02, 2011
Jenn
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Update: 12/2/11 It's time again! And this time I've been privileged to MEET the lovely, phenomenal, delightful, self-effacing Connie Willis and it makes me even more happy to read her fabulous Christmas stories!!!
Update: So, I'm rereading Connie Willis's fantastic Christmas short story collection, as I have done every year, since my sister introduced me to this fabulously imaginative, descriptive writer! I have a hard time selecting which story is my favorite, but I do think fondly the More...
Update: So, I'm rereading Connie Willis's fantastic Christmas short story collection, as I have done every year, since my sister introduced me to this fabulously imaginative, descriptive writer! I have a hard time selecting which story is my favorite, but I do think fondly the More...
Jun 10, 2007
Punk
rated it:
Short stories. Eight stories about Christmas, and one about the Second Coming. These aren't all secular tales; two of them put the Christ in Christmas, and while that's not really my thing, those stories, like the rest, are suspenseful and understated and kept me interested, if a little wary. Inn, for example, involves a temporally misplaced Mary and Joseph who, on their way to Bethlehem, take an accidental detour through the 20th Century and end up in a church parking lot. While the premise (an
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Nov 27, 2009
Lain
rated it:
Cute collection of Christmas tales (which I'm a sucker for!). Not your typical saccharine-sweet fare. Instead there's a murder mystery, an alien invasion, and more.
Willis is a great writer but often I felt thrust into the story with no idea of who the characters were. Just a little description (physical, age, temperament) would have helped distinguish them in my mind. Instead, many seemed interchangeable.
All the same, it was a fun and quick read.
Willis is a great writer but often I felt thrust into the story with no idea of who the characters were. Just a little description (physical, age, temperament) would have helped distinguish them in my mind. Instead, many seemed interchangeable.
All the same, it was a fun and quick read.
Dec 23, 2009
Jenalyn C
rated it:
I gave this book 4 *s because of the first story, Miracle. The other stories do not get 4*s from me. I think Connie Willis is a talented writer but sometimes when her characters are running around like crazy (see To Say Nothing of the Dog also) it kind of stresses me. I think Ms. Willis has so much literary info in her head that she loses her focus. I will research her other books and read her best ones. She is a good find.
Sep 10, 2011
Vilja
rated it:
It's hard to give a overall rating to a book of short stories. Some included where worth 4 or even 5 stars, and many were only 2.
My favourite was The Pony, followed in no particular order by In Coppelius's Toyshop, Cat's Paw and Epiphany. The first story, Miracle, was particularly disappointing. Still, it would have been worth it just for The Pony.
My favourite was The Pony, followed in no particular order by In Coppelius's Toyshop, Cat's Paw and Epiphany. The first story, Miracle, was particularly disappointing. Still, it would have been worth it just for The Pony.
Jan 25, 2011
Karl
rated it:
OK. So, I felt kinda weird starting to read a Christmas book after Christmas, but I finished this book before Epiphany so it's all OK. These are definitely not Hallmark Channel stories, but that's a good thing. A guy can only take so many saccharine Christmas stories. All the stories were entertaining. I like "Miracle", "Epiphany", and "Newsletter" the best.
Dec 25, 2011
Kay
rated it:
Best xmas stories ever! Connie Willis is not only a master of the science fiction short story, but also a rock-solid provider of science fiction xmas stories, often with humor and romance added to the mix. Most Decembers find me retracing this book, trying to stretch it out by limiting myself to a single story a day.
Jan 10, 2009
Anita
rated it:
Each one of these stories is so differant from the other that you would think they were written by various authors instead of the same. Some of them were like reading an episode of the "Twilight Zone", while others were just interesting and fun. I enjoyed the Newsletter and the Inn.
Dec 30, 2011
Charlene
rated it:
this is the kind of story collection that makes me happy as a reader and envious as an author. My three favorites were the first, the last, and the alien invasion story, but the whole collection is well worth reading, and the kind you want to come back to every year to reread.
May 24, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
I don't read a lot of speculative fiction, but Connie Willis is one author whose books I look for. This collection of stories set at Christmas is a keeper. Most are a bit long for reading aloud, but one or two just might show up in my Advent story-reading list this year.
Dec 30, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
I don't normally like short stories and it is very rare that I find an anthology I enjoy. With that in mind, this book was a delight. I liked every single story in here and would heartily recommend the anthology for a speculative fiction holiday read.
Jun 18, 2011
Caroline
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Miracle and Other Christmas Stories
Connie Willis really loves the holiday and it shows in this short story collection. The sentimental bits and exasperating parts, she celebrates them all. Miracle is a collection of Christmas tales, often with a supernatural bent, set in a variety of Christmas settings: toy stores, church pageants, office parties, etc. My favorite was her lovely parody of a Poirot/Hastings mystery. The volume also begins and ends with a funny discussion of the various typ More...
Connie Willis really loves the holiday and it shows in this short story collection. The sentimental bits and exasperating parts, she celebrates them all. Miracle is a collection of Christmas tales, often with a supernatural bent, set in a variety of Christmas settings: toy stores, church pageants, office parties, etc. My favorite was her lovely parody of a Poirot/Hastings mystery. The volume also begins and ends with a funny discussion of the various typ More...
