Book Description:
It’s the fourth Wednesday of November, and Patrick Guthrie is giving
thanks. He’s giving thanks that his eight-year-old son, Braden, will finally
have a procedure on his heart that will cure him of the same life-threatening
condition that took Patrick’s wife several years earlier. But when Patrick
suddenly loses his job teaching drama at a New York City high school, his
already desperate financial situation becomes dire. Rebecca Brody, a social
worker, shows up at his door with a judge’s order for him to appear before the
city’s family court to determine if Patrick is financially fit, and Patrick
realizes he is in danger of losing his son.
Patrick knows that he must somehow make it through the holiday season to a
new job waiting for him in the new year. He also knows that Ted Cake, his former
father-in-law, blames Patrick so much for the death of his daughter that he, a
rich and disagreeable man, is the one pushing the city to call the custody
hearing and give the boy over to him. Now Patrick has only three weeks before
Christmas to somehow make enough money to pay his bills, present himself to the
family court as a fit father, and keep Braden in his life.
It’s when Patrick sees a charming beggar on the subway dressed up as a crazy
alien that he gets an idea. In true Dickensian holiday spirit, Patrick makes use
of his old acting skills and his love of
A Christmas Carol and takes to the streets in the guise of the Ghost
of Christmas Present. Making a midtown corner his performing stage, he begins to
touch and change the lives of all those who come his way, including Rebecca
Brody and the bitter and heartbroken Ted Cake.
***
The train stopped at a station where the signs read Thirty-fourth Street. The
doors opened and Patrick waited for the commuters to disembark before he got
off.
He walked to the stairs as the morning light from the street shone and the
sounds of Broadway bounced down into the station in echoing waves. He caught
sight of himself in the plastic window of the token booth, where the transit
workers shook their heads at his appearance.
Perhaps he had gone too far with the costume. Perhaps he had gone too far
thinking he should even attempt this madness. Perhaps what was worst of all was
thinking he could save the semblance of a life that he could carve for himself
with Braden.
Maybe Braden would be better off without him in his daily life. Maybe . . .
Patrick shook off the thought as the noise of Broadway waited for him above.
He drew in a breath and exhaled. “Into the breach, dear friends.”
He began to climb the stairs.
My Thoughts:
The Ghost of Christmas Present is a debut novel for both authors and what a start. I am not usually a fan of Christmas themed stories, just usually not my genre but when I read the description I felt drawn to it. As I read this novel I could not help but admire his father's dedication and love for his son that
causes him to do what he wouldn't normally do to get what his son needs. The son Braden is a wise little boy, who seems to deal with his illness and current situation much better than his Dad or his Grandpa. Patrick's father in law blames Patrick for his daughter's death and wants to get Braden away from him. This story really grabbed me beginning to end. It was hard to put down and truly touched my heart. The themes in this story really hit home for me as a parent of two special needs children and someone who lives with chronic illness. This story also shows how when we use our God given gifts we truly find success and find ourselves. This book is truly a wonderful story and I am so thankful I had the privilege to read it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good Christmas themed story. I hope to see more books from Scott Abbott and Amy Maude Swinton.
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