I think I signed on to read and review the book as more of a curiosity because I wanted to know how French christmas was different than the stereotypical portrayal of American and Dickensian christmas. I also think I was curious how I would feel about the stories considering that I don't celebrate christmas (closest is New Years in Russian style which is similar to christmas style as I learned when I came to America.) What I found out is interesting: modern stories like the first one as well as one by Dominique Fabre and last one by Irene Nemirovsky for me they are far more enjoyable than the old stories by Alphonse Daudet and Francoise Coppee who apparently were hypocrites in their beliefs towards those who are not christians. Most of the 14 stories are dominated by Daudet and Coppee. I liked learning about the way French celebrate christmas and seeing something other than British or American, but I do wish that the stories would have been in more of a modern vein rather than the 1800s vein.

I was given this book for a honest review ( )