Kristina A. reviewed Once Upon a Dickens Christmas: 3 Charming Christmas Tales Set in Victorian England on + 1528 more book reviews
I have enjoyed all three tales in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas. They can each be read on their own, but why would you want to read just one of these charming novellas. 12 Days at Bleakly Manor is a well-crafted and entertaining novel. It is short, but it is packed full of action and intrigue. The mystery was delightful (see if you can figure out the culprit in this one) and the characters interesting. I like the Christian beliefs expressed in the story (compassion, prayer, faith, forgiveness, second chances, God is in control, trust, and hope). The Christian theme is light, but the point is gotten across. In A Tale of Two Hearts, Michelle Griep brought London in 1853 to life with her descriptions of the clothing, language, literature as well the architecture, cobbled streets, the inn and the insides of the buildings as well as the class stations of the characters. I especially loved the imagery of Purcell's where they had tea with Uncle Barlow. A Tale of Two Hearts has delightful characters. I especially liked Uncle Barlow and Miss Whymsy. They are two charming people who have a touch of whimsy. There are some good life lessons included in the story. Second chances, forgiveness and Christian charity being the main themes. Every one of us has needed a second chance at one time or another. The book is told from William and Mina's point-of-views giving us different perspectives. It is always fascinating to see how different men think from woman. There are references to Charles Dickens work scattered throughout the story. The Old Lace Shop is a well-crafted story with a good flow. I thought the characters were developed and realistic for the time period. Bella arrives in Nottingham and is surprised to see blind women outside begging for assistance. She soon learns that they lost their eyesight making lace. The kindhearted Bella wants to find a way to help them plus she has other improvements in mind for the factory much to Edmund's dismay. We see the importance of faith and prayer. How we need to rely on God and turn our worries over to him. All three stories are captivating, but 12 Days at Bleakly Manor is my favorite. If you enjoy historical stories, you will not be disappointed with Once Upon a Dickens Christmas. It was interesting to see how Dickens came into play in each novella. I like how the author gave us three diverse yet complimentary tales. Once Upon a Dickens Christmas contains three engaging novellas that will put you in the mood for Christmas.
