An Indiana Christmas

by Bryan Furuness (Editor)

Imagine a moonlit railroad track, a rural road and barn covered with just a dusting of snow, a hound dog asleep by the woodstove, and a Red Ryder BB gun hidden behind the tinseled tree - all the makings of an unforgettable Indiana Christmas.

An Indiana Christmas brings together timeless short stories, poems, plays, and letters to help you get into the holiday spirit.

Among many others:
"In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash" by Jean Shepherd, which inspired the beloved movie
"A Christmas Story", and "A Feel in the Christmas Air" by James Whitcomb Riley
"The Myth of the Perfect Christmas Photo Family" by Kelsey Timmerman
"While Mortals Sleep" by famed Indiana writer Kurt Vonnegut
"Indiana Winter" by Susan Neville
"Earthbound" by Barbara Shoup,
"Howard Garfield, Balladeer" by Edward Porter.
"Digging and Grousing" story about a Christmas war dispatch by Ernie Pyle.

Heartfelt and unique, An Indiana Christmas paints a picture of what Hoosiers truly hold dear. Family, love, giving, hope, and faith shine through these poignant stories, which are sure to put you in good spirits for the holidays.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Short Stories, Fiction, Poetry

242 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

Author of a couple of novels: THE LOST EPISODES OF REVIE BRYSON and DO NOT GO ON.

Editor of AN INDIANA CHRISTMAS and MY NAME WAS NEVER FRANKENSTEIN: AND OTHER CLASSIC ADVENTURE TALES REMIXED and co-editor (with Michael Martone) of WINESBURG, INDIANA.

Lives in Indy, teaches at Butler, believes that breakfast burritos are the perfect food.

Reviews

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this short story collection. It contained stories, plays and poems; new and old from some of Indiana's greatest authors. James Whitcomb Riley, Kurt Vonnegut, Jean Shephard, Ernie Pyle, and more are present in these pages. Some are humorous, some heartwarming, a few even melancholy - but all have Christmas spirit and Hoosier connections. Excerpts from Jean Shephard's story that were the basis for A Christmas Story are present in this collection which is arguably the most famous depiction of an Indiana Christmas in the world. There are old timey Christmases, holidays in the sixties and even holidays spent overseas during WWII. This collection has something for everyone and you don't have to be a Hoosier to appreciate it. Wonderful and something I'll re-read on many a Christmas!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skipped a few stories in here that weren't for me. Overall, glad i picked this up.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology contains maybe 30 short stories, essays, and poems by Indiana authors on the theme of Christmas. It’s like any anthology in that the works vary greatly in writing style, so don’t expect to like every single work in here. However, there were enough good pieces that I’d still recommend the collection. The featured Santa letters were adorable!

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a hard time with short stories, unfortunately this collection wasn't for me but I feel like others would really enjoy it. My favorite story was Wealth, such a good way of showing how we should treat others and show love.

[Alison]

Favorite story: "Treasure!" by Eliza Tudor

[Christie Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of Indiana authors from well-known(Ernie Pyle to Kurt Vonnegut) to not so well/known. Good variety of poetry, short stories. Not all great literature but interesting.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gift to myself while shopping with friends at Wild Geese Bookshop.

Stories and poems, memories and sweets.

I was disappointed that Jayne Marek's information in the list of contributors did not mention her time as a professor at Franklin College.