Last Christmas
Author: Greg Wise & Emma Thompson
Published by: Quercus books
Pages: 242
Format: Hardback
My Rating ★★★★
‘This book is a gathering of voices, some you’ll have heard before, some you won’t – of actors, comedians, people who have been homeless, refugees, charity workers, even a vicar and a beautician (not the same person), from all corners of the world.
They have written their personal memories of past Christmases and hopes for future ones.
The result is a collection of remarkable stories which remind us that we are all, essentially, the same. No matter who we are or where we find ourselves, we share the same dreams.
We have the same desires.
We want, even more than traditional presents,
the giving and receiving of care and hope and love.’
My thoughts:
From Hollywood A-listers to the homeless and displaced facing another Christmas alone, this wonderful anthology presents personal testimony from a diverse range of individuals about what the festive season means to them. It really is the perfect Christmas gift book, featuring the writing of Meryl Streep, Graham Norton, Bill Bailey, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Caitlin Moran, Richard Ayoade, Emily Watson and many others.
At first, I was initially expecting this to be a series of fiction stories and hadn’t quite anticipated the eclectic and wide ranging factual and memoir pieces that actually make up this collection.
Last Christmas really feels like a book that should be read on the build-up or soon after Christmas. It’ll undoubtedly make you reflect on your own experiences and appreciate what you have. This book also highlights the great work that Crisis UK, The Salvation Army and other charities do by giving their time to help those less fortunate. The joy given through acts of kindness being the greatest reward. With this in mind, for every copy of the book sold a donation will be made to charities such as Crisis and The Refugee Council.
For those going through difficult times, the Christmas season is more lonely than usual, emotions are heightened and harder to manage at this time of year. This book reflects that on more than one occasion, and features a beautiful, funny and soulful collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas. It includes a very eclectic collection of Christmas stories. Some will warm your hearts and others really get you thinking. Something for everyone here. I enjoyed Last Christmas very much and found it to be an extremely heart-warming, thought-provoking and uplifting read.
Overall reaction:
Published by: Quercus books
Pages: 242
Format: Hardback
My Rating ★★★★
‘This book is a gathering of voices, some you’ll have heard before, some you won’t – of actors, comedians, people who have been homeless, refugees, charity workers, even a vicar and a beautician (not the same person), from all corners of the world.
They have written their personal memories of past Christmases and hopes for future ones.
The result is a collection of remarkable stories which remind us that we are all, essentially, the same. No matter who we are or where we find ourselves, we share the same dreams.
We have the same desires.
We want, even more than traditional presents,
the giving and receiving of care and hope and love.’
My thoughts:
From Hollywood A-listers to the homeless and displaced facing another Christmas alone, this wonderful anthology presents personal testimony from a diverse range of individuals about what the festive season means to them. It really is the perfect Christmas gift book, featuring the writing of Meryl Streep, Graham Norton, Bill Bailey, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Caitlin Moran, Richard Ayoade, Emily Watson and many others.
At first, I was initially expecting this to be a series of fiction stories and hadn’t quite anticipated the eclectic and wide ranging factual and memoir pieces that actually make up this collection.
Last Christmas really feels like a book that should be read on the build-up or soon after Christmas. It’ll undoubtedly make you reflect on your own experiences and appreciate what you have. This book also highlights the great work that Crisis UK, The Salvation Army and other charities do by giving their time to help those less fortunate. The joy given through acts of kindness being the greatest reward. With this in mind, for every copy of the book sold a donation will be made to charities such as Crisis and The Refugee Council.
For those going through difficult times, the Christmas season is more lonely than usual, emotions are heightened and harder to manage at this time of year. This book reflects that on more than one occasion, and features a beautiful, funny and soulful collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas. It includes a very eclectic collection of Christmas stories. Some will warm your hearts and others really get you thinking. Something for everyone here. I enjoyed Last Christmas very much and found it to be an extremely heart-warming, thought-provoking and uplifting read.
Overall reaction:
