FICTION

Christmas Past: An Anthology of Seasonal Stories from Nineteenth-Century America

Louisiana State Univ. Sept. 2021. 304p. ed. by Thomas Ruys Smith. ISBN 9780807176085. $34.95. F
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This collection of short stories begins with an in-depth and lengthy look at how modern-day American Christmas celebrations began and the role of fiction in shaping them. With multiple entries under five themes, the anthology includes a variety of authors, from Washington Irving to Harriet Beecher Stowe to Bret Harte. Before each story there is a brief text with background on the author and their writing. The thoroughly researched introduction by editor Smith (American literature and culture, Univ. of East Anglia, UK; Deep Water: The Mississippi River in the Age of Mark Twain) includes footnotes, which can lead to further investigation for readers whose interest is piqued. (Readers can also skim the notes if the short stories are what call to them.)
VERDICT Perfect for readers who want to slow down and think more deeply about the evolution of American Christmases; with charming illustrations to boot.
Reviewed by Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH , Oct 08, 2021
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