I was asked this morning what books I was reading at the moment and it prompted me to think about festive reading because I have some traditional reads at this time of year.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
I first read this when I was about 5 years old, and then for my 8th birthday I received a full box-set from my sister of the Chronicles of Narnia. I still have all those books today and a nicer hardback set as well. For many reasons I don’t often read the full series (the stereotyping, the religious symbolism, the sexism…) but I can’t help re-reading this book every Christmas. I once managed to read the whole thing on a bus journey to work thanks to unexpected snow storms!
Yes, the religious symbolism is still as subtle as a house-brick to the face but as a classic children’s story I just feel this works so well. And even growing up Peter used to annoy the hell out of me and I had sympathy for Edmund – congratulations to the Disney movies for cementing that for a lot of people.
It’s a quick read and always makes me feel cosy on a drab winter evening.
The Dark is Rising
The entire sequence of this name by Susan Cooper is a rightly deserved classic series, but the book of this name really stands out at this time of the year. The tale of a young boy coming into magical powers in the deep of midwinter and fighting evil over the turn of the year is incredibly powerful. It’s rooted strongly in a specific era and place that gives it a solidity some books lack. Some elements may date, and there’s again a strong sense of faith in this book (though less of Christianity than from CS Lewis, more of ‘older’ beliefs).
I always start this book on the day it begins but will typically read faster than the time in the story. For those who’d like to travel at the pace of the book the BBC did an audio play version that aired per day. Well worth a listen. But please avoid the terrible film of the same name, it bears no resemblance to the books and isn’t worth your time.
Hogfather
Terry Pratchett is a legend and everybody should read his books because he wasn’t just funny, he was angry at the world and its injustices and this shows in his writing. Yes, the tales are amusing but they also cut like a knife and make you want to be a better person.
The Hogfather is no exception. A book which gives us the broad comedy of Death masquerading as the Discworld equivalent of Santa (Hogfather) and then undercuts that with a sharp look at how belief affects us and sneaks in some cutting takes on poverty and power. Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Little Match Girl’ gets a righteous kicking from Death who isn’t going to let a little girl die because she’s cold no matter how ‘poetic’ it would be.
The TV version doesn’t quite have the edge of the book but is also worth a watch if you come across it.
Honorable mentions
- I tried reading the Box of Delights as I’d loved the series as a child but it’s sadly very dated (as is the show). Worth a read once as an historical artefact but probably not a re-read
- Twas the Night Before Christmas – always recite this at least once over the Christmas period and find yourself a nice edition
Tanya Peasgood 