TW: review mentions depression and mental health

“‘No man is a failure who has friends”’

George Pratt is depressed. He is the classic example of experiencing daily grind. He thinks he is nothing if he is failing in life. When George comes across an older man he even wishes that he never was born. Never knowing that he might get what he wished for.

The Greatest Gift is a short story that inspired the ultimate classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart. A favorite of many during Christmas. I never was the biggest fan of the movie, but I love reading books that inspire classic movies. So when I discovered that this novel by Philip Van Doren Stern was the source to this movie I thought I would give it a go.

The story came to be in 1938 in a dream by the author and it almost never got published. It was only after sending out seasonal greetings with this short story attached to it, that it got picked up. And I get why people fell in love with it. This short story has a wonderful positive message. It tells you that we sometimes need to take a step back to appreciate what we do have instead to focus on the things we are missing in life. I enjoyed the story, it was quick, it had funny moments and some nice motivational quotes. And in its essence it’s heartwarming. It’s not a book with multilayered characters or with attention to mental health. It even looks like you don’t have to work for your mental health. But besides that its a fun and quick seasonal classic read.