Miracle and Other Christmas Stories: Stories

Connie Willis is, without a doubt, one of the finest writers of sci fi short stories out there right now. Almost every short story by her is really a delight to read, and this collection doesn't fail to meet that standard. What kind of stories can you expect here? A take off on the movie Miracle on 34th Street, a view of Revelation coming as a carnival, and many more. The only story in this collection that was not a perfect 10 from my point of view was Cat's Paw. I just could not get fully into the story and it was a little long for this collection. Willis speaks in the introduction of her love of the Christmas season and this really shines through in all of these stories. My favorite story in the collection is the final story about Revelation. It was one of the most insightful touching stories I have read this year.In addition, if you normally read sci fi and would like to expose friends and family to sci fi, this is an excellent and gentle introductory collection and makes a convenient Christmas gift. No really bizarre aliens, no "hard" sci fi edge, just enjoyable reading. Great for sci fi aficionados and those new to sci fi as well!

I've never read any of Connie Wllis' Christmas stories before I bought this book. In fact, the only other book of hers that I have read is "To Say Nothing of the Dog." I enjoyed that so much that I thought I might enjoy "Miracle and Other Christmas Stories." And I did. Immensely! I particularly liked "Miracle" and "Newsletter." If only I could write a newsletter as off-the-wall as the one in this book! Of course, as soon as I read the term "pod people" - and knew exactly what the author was talking about - I began to wonder if I've seen one two many science fiction movies. And she also just happened to have placed three of my favorite Christmas movies on her list. Talk about good taste.

I have just finished "Miracle and Other Christmas Stories" today and I must say that "Epiphany" is one of the best short stories I have read by Ms. Willis (and that's saying a lot!). I find this story, along with my other favorite Willis story "Samaritan" found in the collection "Fire Watch", confirm that faith/spirituality and speculative fiction do mix, and quite well at that.Sure, some of the stories are predictable ("Inn" and "In Coppelius's Toyshop") but "Adaptation" was a fresh approach to an old and well-told story. Ms. Willis has the ability to create characters that live and breathe. By the end of the stories, you feel you know the characters because they are us, or our neighbors, or co-workers, or family...or someone we wish we knew. I have to dismiss someone's previous review of this collection as "shallow". On the contrary, there is a richness and depth to Ms. Willis and her work, which continues to grow with each new book and story.

I first read a Connie Willis story in the late-70's SF magazine Galileo. Now, some twenty years later, when asked to name my favorite author I answer Connie Willis. The Christmas stories in "Miracle.." give me eight more examples to support this answer. These stories are entertaining (fun!) and thought-provoking. Connie has it right! I know that if the "second coming" were to occur at my church, the congregation down the street would cry either foul or fraud.The only problem I have after finishing a Connie Willis book is deciding what to read next. After finishing "Miracle..." I took Connie's advice and started re-reading some of the Broadway stories of Damon Runyon. Thanks for the present, Connie.

While I've only just received up my copy of MIRACLE, I've read many of the stories in it, in Willis' yearly Asimov's stories. Let me just say this: Connie Willis deserves much more fame than she currently recieves, and the Christmas tales she has produced over the past few years are proof of why. The woman is a master of character, a great humorist, and a wonderful writer. Read this book, then go on and read her spectacular BELLWETHER.