Bryan Furuness

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!… (mere)

Until I just rated it a second ago I was going to give the book three stars. This was primarily because the cover of the book emphasizes that Revie, a young boy from Paris, Indiana thinks he is the second coming of Christ which is what attracted me to book to see how this would play out. The author drops this premise early on and the book turns in the story about quarreling parents and a boy who is seduced by his substitute teacher which is all fine and the book was well written but don't expect to read a story based a deluded boy trying to walk on water and such as that very interesting premise is abandoned like a hot potato.… (mere)