Disclaimer: I wouldn’t have picked this book if not for the reading challenge prompt- a book with bad reviews.

A short story collection seemed easier to survive for such a prompt, and I’m glad I was right. The book has 18 stories about ‘hellish holidays’, and I can’t help but wonder if ‘hell’ was what the reader would have been transported to for daring to pick this one.

Okay, there are a couple of decent stories. But 3 nice ones from 18? Well, do your math. I sure don’t have to write a long review, but I need to rant. So here it goes.

Danner is Dead: A deer gets hits by a speeding car. The rest is an attempted stream of consciousness narrative that could have won a Pulitzer if the author threw in complex terminology. Nothing makes sense anyway. It looked like the author prepared for a 2-mark question but had to write the same answer for a 10-mark question. (Not sure if everyone will get this example, but Indians would know what I mean).

Blue Christmas: Sort of funny with an over-the-top dysfunctional family meeting. Bearable though. At least I didn’t have to wonder what happened.

Eight: Jews vs. Christian celebrations (a recurring theme in many stories). I don’t remember anything else, and I read it less than 72 hours ago. That says enough, I guess.

That’s Just about Enough Figgy Pudding, Actually: Logic vs. magic and stalking Santa? Well, bearable. The title is more interesting at any rate (ignoring the adverbs in there).

Birthdays: Another dysfunctional family but twisted and funny. (Don’t question my sense of humor, please. I need to retain my sanity.)

The Accidental Santa: Okayish, though I forgot the exact story. (That okayish comes from my notes, so I have no idea what I found bearable).

Christmas 2001: A collection of ‘sad’ Christmas celebrations. This one was touching. I felt sad for the narrator, so yes, this was a decent one.

The Bite Before Christmas: Loner moving around without destination on a Christmas Eve. Oh, well. Interesting theme. But the writing isn’t strong enough to make me feel anything except disinterest.

Survivor: Rambling at its best, or should I say worst? Ugh!

I’ll have Christmas with the Works on Rye, Hold the Ham, and Jesus: Jew vs. Christian celebrations. Maybe the title was better than the story.

Christmas in Paris: With an LGBT+ lead. It was sort of introspective. Not bad.

We Really Must Get Together This Year: I’ve read this author’s novels and am glad I didn’t read this first. This is probably one of her worst pieces. Uninspiring and boring.

The Gift of Magi Redux: Now, this one is rather good. I like it.

A Foreign Country: Brit vs. American and Jews vs. Christian Christmas celebrations. Okayish. Dry humor, or maybe I thought it was while the author meant something else.

The Jew Who Cooked Ham for Christmas: Moderately funny, I suppose. I like to imagine that the author tried to make it funny.

Rum Balls: Oh, well…

Buy Humbug: Twisted (the note says). I don’t remember the story. It’s less than 24 hours since I read it. Got erased faster than the lessons from school and college. That’s a record, I say!

The Gift That did not Need Wrapping: Sort of musing and minor ranting. A collection of memories. Nothing remarkable.

Not sure about Noel, but the book was hell. I rest my case.

I have no idea who and why they came up with this collection, but man, it’s something the readers could do without. The only saving grace is that I ticked off a prompt from the reading challenge. Phew!