Thanksgiving Tales: True Stories of the Holiday in America

by Brian D. Jaffe (Editor)

Not every Thanksgiving in America is a folk-art painting. They are as varied as Americans themselves, and run the spectrum of emotion and experience - from as rural as watching Grandma slaughter the holiday bird by the barn, to the traditional with family football games in the yard, and to the modern with multicultural meals complete with eggrolls. In Thanksgiving Tales: True Stories of the Holiday in America, 48 writers from across the United States share their individual stories and memories. But, whether held in a country farmhouse, amid the frantic pace of New York City, or in a restaurant, there are a number of common elements. It is a holiday for everyone - regardless of whether your family came here via the Mayflower, Ellis Island, international airport, or any other way. It is a holiday steeped in traditions (whether faithfully followed, radically ignored, or adapted to individual circumstances), memories and images. These stories reveal how seemingly simple things - like the passing of a tradition to the next generation, sitting next to Grandpa, favorite foods and recipes, or certain sounds, sights, and smells - can have special meaning and leave warm and indelible memories. Some of the stories describe the chaos and mishaps of meal preparation, family arguments and first-time hosts-all crises then, but now looked upon with laughter. Other stories recount family traditions, meaningful moments, memorable guests and hosts, remembering those no longer with us, being alone, or out-and-out hating the holiday. Thanksgiving Tales is a reflection of Americans, as much as it is a look at the holiday. It is a testament to the importance of the holiday that Americans will go to great lengths for Thanksgiving - spending money to travel long distances or taking days to prepare meals, sometimes only to find themselves seated next to the weird cousin or sick all night from bacteria-laden food. Yet, it's done all over again the next year.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Holiday, Nonfiction, Family

198 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2010

Reviews

[Julie Barrett]

Thanksgiving Tales: True Stories of the Holiday in America
48 different stories about Thanksgiving. Each one by a different author and very memorable.
Can see me reading a few every night starting November 1 til the big day.
At the end of every story the author has a few words about their story.

[Wendy Phraner]

Nice conglomeration of stories that help put you in the holiday spirit.

[Jenine Ferrari]

enjoyable short stories about family Thanksgiving meals- good stuff!

[Glenda]

Short, some very short..stories and a few poems about Thanksgiving. I loved most of them. Some brought a few tears. Some I related to by personal experience. One made by blood boil, hint:skip over 'A Few Words of Contrariness From a Thanksgiving Hater' ..it is awful and mean. A bunch of political rubbish. Get over it. Learn from the past history don't dwell on it. I love Thanksgiving..there!

[Bobbie]

It was ok. A bit dull on many of the stories. About half could have been eliminated and made the book smaller. When starting it I didn't expect it to be so long. It was an ebook. Wouldn't suggest actively seeking it out as something to buy/read, but if it fell into your lap glance through and read a few here and there.

[Alice Teets]

I went into this book thinking it would be reminiscent of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and part of it was. However, at least half of it told stories of family dysfunction that would make an orphan thankful. I guess it serves to make me grateful that my family behaves on holidays, letting regular days be the ones where we can't stand each other.

[Allison]

Longer than I anticipated but since they were short essays, articles that was OK. Some I understood and identified with completely and others I wasn't exactly sure why they were in the book but then I "got it."

[Rachel]

Some of the stories are crass, but most show a perspective of either archaic Thanksgiving traditions, or unique family relations. A fun read for an adult leading up to the holiday, but way too much cynicism to share with my kids, which had been my plan.

[Barbara Rice]

A sweet little book of real-life Thanksgiving tales. Some happy, some traditional, some thoughtful, some unconventional. A light, quick read.

[Nancy]

This was an excellent book, I would recommend it to any one who wants an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.

[Mandy Helfer]

I didn't like this. Not even sure why I finished it. There were a few good stories but most were negative & depressing.

[★ gwiz ★]

Some of the stories were in keeping with the holiday but several were bitch-fest in theme and I wasn't inspired by them at all.

[Eva]

It was nice reading how others celebrate Thanksgiving and what the holiday means to them.