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The Christmas Cantata (2011)

by Mark Schweizer(Favorite Author)

4.23 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

SJMP books

series

The Liturgical Mystery

review 1: I discovered Mark Schweizer and his series of The Liturgical Mysteries just over 2 years ago. Last December I read the tenth installment, The Christmas Cantata, for the first time, and just completed the book for the second time this December. The Christmas Cantata is a must-read Christmas classic that I will read each year. Though the rest of The Liturgical Mysteries series is thoroughly enjoyable and very well written (and I highly recommend them), Cantata is just a cut above the others. It is not necessary to read the entire series to understand this particular volume of the story. Yes, it helps of course if one had, but that is because several years and a breadth of characters have culminated into this story. The author successfully gives just enough background witho... moreut overrunning the narrative with backstory. For those reading this installment first, I believe it will easily turn you onto the rest of the series.The other books in the series focus on Hayden Konig’s dream of being a writer in the vein of Raymond Chandler, thus we read Hayden’s writings as they are integrated into the storyline. This is a signature of the author, a notable voice in comedic writing. Cantata, however, takes a break and departs from this by paralleling a story of mystery that began 60-70 years earlier that is then woven into the present day plotline. (Though the witty writing of Hayden’s everyday life is as great as ever.)A specific point I appreciate is that this particular book has a bit more universal appeal. Due to the book being only 95 pages, the focus is more directly on the plot itself. In Mark’s other books, there is a delicious wandering of the intricacies of the Episcopal Church and the characters that dwell in St. Germaine. I spent approximately 25 years in the Episcopal Church and having been a musician (and a church choir member), there are subjects that Mark draws into the stories that I can identify with because of this background. Cantata does not spend as much time on these subjects, and my appreciation in this is that I may introduce this specific book to more people than I feel I could if it were another book in the series. This novella can easily be read in the midst of the holiday rush, as it flows quickly, and most people could read it within a couple of hours. The story invites you into the cozy mountain town of St. Germaine, makes you laugh, and will pull at your heartstrings. The Christmas Cantata truly is a beautiful piece. Slow down and savor this story this Christmas season.
review 2: A perfect holiday read! It's Advent and the town of St. Germaine is cranky and fractious. There's no Christmas spirit anywhere. Or at least not until Hayden starts rehearsing a cantata written by a former resident of St. Germaine. This is a shorter than usual installment, and it's a bit thinner on the ridiculous (although the fate of the Christmon tree has its moment in the sun), but it was a great story for this season of Advent. less

Download links for: The Christmas Cantata

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