Favourite Christmas Stories from Fireside Al

by Alan Maitland

Book by Maitland, Alan

Genres: Short Stories, Christmas

294 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jim Puskas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect selection to be enjoyed during the Christmas season, ideally by an open fire, accompanied by a cup of something warm and comforting. For anyone of my age and background, having marinated in Alan Maitland's readings in his guise of "Fireside Al", this collection is sure to bring back pleasant memories.
Along with his perennial favorites such as "The Shepherd", "The Gift of the Magi" and "A Child's Christmas in Wales" there's Oscar Wilde's wonderful "The Happy Prince"; "The Old Lady's Story" a dark Victorian tale by Eliza Lynn Linton; a quaint recollection by Emily Carr and "Markheim" a very spooky story by R. L. Stevenson. And besides "The Santa Claus Trap" — Margaret Atwood channeling Dr. Seuss — there are other charming bits of verse, along with vintage recipes for holiday treats (as if there were any need to whet our appetites even more!)
A copy signed by Alan Maitland, this is a much appreciated gift from dear friends, a book that's sure to be revisited again each December!

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Maitland was a Canadian radio broadcaster, starting as an announcer with CBC in 1947. He frequently read short stories on air and became known as "Fireside Al" for his winter readings and "Frontporch Al" for his summer readings. His reading of Frederick Forsyth's "The Shepherd" on the radio became a Christmas Eve tradition for many Canadians; he read it himself for over 15 years and though he's no longer with us, the recording of his voice reading the story is still greatly anticipated and enjoyed on Dec 24th. Some of the stories have been collected and published in several Christmas collections and I've just discovered there is also a CD of Maitland's Christmas readings. Maitland passed away in 1999 leaving his voice and his stories as a legacy, a national treasure for Canadians.

There are thirty-five stories, poems and even a couple of recipes in this collection. There are selections from Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde, W.O. Mitchell, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Dylan Thomas, Stephen Leacock, Robert Louis Stevenson, O. Henry and many others. Some of my favourites are here: A Child's Christmas In Wales, The Gift of the Magi, The True Meaning of Crumbfest, Christmas at Fezziwig's Warehouse, and Hardy's poem, The Oxen, but there's something for every taste. There is comedy from Thomas Hardy (a bit of a Christmas miracle in itself), stories and memories of Christmas long ago, and the hauntingly beautiful story from Frederick Forsythe, The Shepherd.

This is one of my favourite Christmas books. I don't read it every year now because the list of "every December" books is getting too long but when I do, I love seeing it sitting on a side table knowing there's something lovely waiting for me next time I take a break. I think any reader will find something to love here and hopefully a new tale or two that will come as a nice surprise. If you haven't ever read The True Meaning of Crumbfest or The Shepherd, do yourself a kindness and get your hands on them before next Christmas. I'll bet you, like many others, find yourself drawn to them again and again as the holidays roll around.

[Carrie Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of Christmas readings

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love short stories. When it's been a long day, a short story before bed is all that's required, or possible. Lately, I have a short story volume on hand to read in between the main book. Kind of like the appetizer before the main course. It works for me.

Like many Canadians, I first "met" Alan Maitland while listening to CBC Radio. To this day, I cannot read The Gift of the Magi without hearing his voice. He really does pick wonderful stories that shouldn't be forgotten. This volume contains some of my favourite authors: Atwood, Dickens, Wilde, Stevenson, Hardy, to name a few. What's not to love?

[LimesRickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice varied selection of tales, poems & recipes. Some of my favourites are The Happy Prince, Brian's Skates and Papa's Story. This has become a treaured book that I enjoy reading every December .. wouldn't be Christmas without it.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short stories - not my cup of tea.