A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor (1996) - Plot & Excerpts
Wow! Truman Capote is a master of descriptions! He makes the people, the surroundings and the feelings so very real! You almost feel like you are there with him as a young boy and his "friend" (never named in this story, I noticed) as they pick pecans for the fruitcakes they will bake or procure the much-needed alcohol required for the very best fruitcake and again as they search out "the" Christmas tree and decorate it. "A Christmas Memory" was a delightful reminiscence and warm account of a meaningful friendship between a young boy and an elderly relative very significant in his life. I loved the touching ending -- brought a little tear to my eye after having also enjoyed a couple of giggles along the way.I also found a children's book version of this same story and the illustrations by Nancy Peck are a great addition to the story. There is still quite a lot of text so probably would not hold the interest of very young children. But also worth checking out just for the pics. The next story in this trilogy, "One Christmas," is quite different from the first in that the young boy Truman is removed from everything comfortable to go visit his mostly-absent father in New Orleans for Christmas. You feel his pain and discomfort at being in an unfamiliar environment with people he doesn't know -- including his father. The father wants very badly for his son to love him and tries to "buy" that love. Lessons are learned on both sides and Truman is relieved to return to the life he knows and loves. In the third story, Miss Sook (Truman's "friend") invites Truman's arch enemy to come for Thanksgiving dinner, much to Truman's chagrin! Odd Henderson has terrorized Truman at school for so long -- but to have Odd on his own turf is too much for Truman. During the course of the celebration, Truman decides to teach Odd a lesson and ends up learning a more important one himself. I found it interesting the order that the stories were included in this volume. If I were making the decision regarding placement, I think I would put the Thanksgiving one first, "One Christmas" in the middle and "A Christmas Memory" I would save for last. This was a totally unexpected and delightful side of Truman Capote -- quite a change from other books he has authored. First of all, I am so so so excited to spend the next couple of weeks reading! If there's one nice thing about being in school until you're 30, it's got to be the relief & joy of breaks.On to the book: I'd never read any Capote; I just found this on one of Ben's shelves & thought it seasonally appropriate. Three autobiographical short stories, a quick read. They're sweet and well-written. All center around the same period of Capote's life, early elementary school, when he was best friends with his elderly aunt.
What do You think about A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor (1996)?
A good Christmas read--actually 3 short stories. A bit sad but so heartwarming at the same time.
—joshua9050
The perfect holiday read. The writing of Truman Capote fills these stories with Southern charm.
—ericawebber
This is a wonderful little book of stories based on his childhood. Delightful.
—Kiwi
Sad, tearful, and memorable. A good holiday read.
—helpfulcorn
