A Redbird Christmas

My husband I love to listen to holiday audio books together. We stumbled upon this one two years ago and loved it! My sister-in-law was ill with cancer and had to miss many holiday outings so we would send books to cheer her up! She loved this one and vowed to read it every year! The February following her reading, Memphis had an unexpected snow storm! She called me that day, so excited, to share that it was a in fact a “redbird Christmas!” because her backyard was covered in snow and redbirds! Unfortunately she passed away this spring. I just purchased 20 copies to share with her family and friends because having known her it will make everyone smile! It is such an incredibly uplifting, feel good holiday story that I recommend to anyone who loves a happy, quirky, feel good story!

I loved this book. I'll be reading more Fannie Flagg books.

When you need to escape from the reality of your life, this is the book for you. I love everything about it, the fictional small town (which I would love to find and live in), the weather, the neighbors etc. It was "required reading" for a group of coworkers and they all loved it. I buy every copy I can find at every book sale, yard sale etc. This is the perfect short read.

Having read all of Ms. Flagg's novels, she is without a doubt my favorite author. I only wish she had more books out there for me to read. So when I saw this book had been released, I was ecstatic! This is a touching Christmas tale about a man (Oswald T. Campbell) and the wonderful little town of Lost River Alabama (a place I wish existed, cause I'd move there in a heartbeat!). Oswald is told by his doctor that he must leave the Chicago cold for the warmer temperatures of the south for serious health reasons. Lost River has been recommended to him as an ideal place to go, so he packs up, and heads down there, thinking he'll just be there for the winter. But as time goes on, Oswald falls in love with the little town, and all it's residence, including one very special redbird, Jack, and one precious little girl, Patsy. Of course I absolutely recommend this book for people of all ages, it's such a sweet Christmas story that I can't give enough praise to. Hopefully I won't have to wait so long for Ms. Flaggs next novel, but I'm confident it'll be just as wonderful as this one and all the others she has given us.

As a devoted fan of Christmas novels, I savor each new one that comes my way. Not only did I absolutely love this one, but yesterday I bought copies to give to all the booklovers on my Christmas list. It's wonderful, magical, and uplifting. Having read all of Fannie Flagg's novels, I can only say how much she amazes me with each new book. Her keen insight into what makees small-town America tick is definitely true, refreshingly rewarding, and a pure delight to share with other readers. Oswald T. Campbell, hapless orphan named after the can of tomato soup his mother left behind when she desserted him, feels life has just not been fair. He's never had a break, never a lucky streak, not even a fair-to-middlin' streak. And now his doctor has told him this Christmas will most likely be his last. Emphysema and Chicago winters are not a good match, and Oswald's drinking has not helped. An out-of-date brochure the doctor gives him leads Oswald to a better climate in Lost River, Alabama. The fictional city is located near Elberta, Lillian, and Mobile, but represents the small towns everywhere that the brilliant Ms. Flagg has immortalized in her wonderful work. This one is definitely hard to put down, so save it for when you have a spare afternoon or evening, if there is such a thing. You will be caught up at once in Oswald's life and his meeting with Jack, the redbird who lives at the neighborhood grocery store. The store's proprieter Roy, along with Frances, Mildred, Betty, Dottie, and even the infamous Julian LaPonde will have you spellbound and quickly turning the pages to see what happens next. But it is Patsy, the young, cripped child whose bond with Jack transcends reality that elevates this book to a league of its own. If you've ever wondered whether it's better to be an accordion player or an alcoholic, or wondered why so many people love to get in group pictures, you will be laughing out loud at this one. So grab a cup of Christmas cheer and prepare to experience a Christmas miracle.

I have to say this is one of the best books I've read in AGES! I laughed, I cried & enjoyed every page. This is such a heartwarming story & not just for the holidays. Oswald, Patsy, Jack & the folks of 'Lost River' will charm you any day of the year. I highly recommend this book for gift-giving or to treat yourself, you won't be disappointed!

Fanny Flagg delivers a Christmas tale to delight even the Grinch (and Scrooge too) - why even my sister loved it! With slush in his shoes and a life that lacks color, Oswald T. Campbell bids farewell to a bleak and wintry Chicago after the doctor delivers an unexpected death sentence. A very old brochure magically directs Oswald to Lost River, Baldwin County, Alabama, for his last months. As Oswald settles in, life suddenly becomes Technicolor and the kind of "family is where you find it" interaction gives all the characters of Lost River a reason to live and love. Jack, the redbird, is conniving little pest who knits the disparate characters into a wonderful whole. This is an easy recommendation for ALL ages. About halfway through the book, my reading slowed down, I savored each page, and knew that more enchantment would appear but that it would eventually end. Sigh. Mamalinda has already bought several copies for gifts.

Today it is almost as if every author is trying to write a gooed holiday book. And while many try, few succeed as well as Fannie Flagg does with her book, A Redbird Christmas. Ms. Flagg does a wonderful job of not only describing the true spirit of hometown life but also how importanrt people are in our lives all year long, not only during the holidays. When a man from Chicago living on a government pension, is told by his doctor that he is dying, he seeks a place that will be affordable for his last days. Moving to a small town in Alabama that his doctor recommends for the warmer climate, little does this man expect to find the people, community or even a redbird who change his life around for the better. A Redbird Christmas is a warm hearted and well crafted holiday book. The characters are reminiscent of those found in Ms. Flagg's classic Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe and the setting will place you between the pages of her more recent book, Standing in the Rainbow. I highly recommend this book as I do all of Flagg's books. They are books to be cherished and this is no exception. It is the perfect size for a stocking stuffer which will give all readers a good time and even better journey to understanding human kindness. And the best part is the characters will stay with you long after you close the pages of the book. Happy holidays to all and especially to you Ms. Fannie Flagg. Long may you continue to provide me with wonderful reads that spark my imagination about small town life in the USA.