Zanna’s Gift ~Orson Scott Card

–published 2004
–144 pages, Tor-Forge (re-release)
–Christmas rating: well worth reading!

At this, the ‘most wonderful time of the year’, no reading is more appropriate than that which, in spite of the heavy sentiment, encourages you to look to your familial relationships as the most precious gift of all.

Chris, the quintessential Orson Scott Card fan, reviewed this book a few weeks back. In addition to making it tempting because of his review, he also pointed out that this book could be had for a mere $5.99, autographed no less, directly from the author’s website. You, however, have a chance at getting your very own copy for much less than that!

Despite listing at 144 pages, Zanna’s Gift is a quick, highly emotional read. The book is actually quite small in size, the print fairly large, and the story can easily be consumed in one sitting. If you are like me, have a box of tissues nearby. Sharing nearly anything about this story is tantamount to sharing too much. Near the beginning of this tale we meet Zanna, a 4 year old girl with a penchant for drawing pictures. Not long into the life we share with Zanna she loses something more precious to her than anything else in the world. As the tale unfolds we see how this event, and a very special picture drawn as a Christmas present, effects the lives of Zanna and others over the course of a lifetime of Christmases.

Zanna’s Gift is subtitled ‘A Life in Christmases’ and it is that. While the course of an entire life is reviewed in a tiny book, Card uses the backdrop of Christmas and his talent with writing characters that feel real, to pull the reader into an emotional connection with these people. It isn’t hard, these people are us. The story begins in 1938 and Card captures the feel of that time period, as compared to books and films of the time, magnificently. I can safely say that Zanna’s Gift could run the risk of being overly-sentimental or schmaltzy and some readers may feel that is exactly the case. I am prone to sentiment myself during this time of year (after all, I teared up during the Its a Wonderful Life homage on I, Carly the other day!) and so reading this now could not have been more perfect. Zanna’s Gift was emotionally relevant, seasonally perfect, and though the message was not hidden in any way it was one that I appreciated. Cherish others. It is a pretty simple thing and, at the same time, an incredibly difficult thing to do.

I want to thank Chris for the Orson Scott Card evangelization. Without it I might have missed this satisfying Christmas tale.

While it is too late to get a copy of this book to you by Christmas, it isn’t too late to own a copy of your very own for enjoying whenever you would like. I purchased an extra copy specifically to give away. All you need do to qualify for a shot at your own autographed copy of the book is to answer this question in the comments section:

What is one of your more memorable Christmas gifts?

It doesn’t have to be something profound, just a Christmas gift–it could be from last year or from you earliest memories–that sticks out in your memory. I would also like to know why it sticks in your memory, why it in particular is special. It doesn’t have to be your favorite gift ever, just one that is a cherished memory.

On Tuesday, December 23rd at 11:59 p.m. CST I will draw a name and announce a winner in my Christmas Eve Blog Advent post.
____________________________

Kailana, hostess of the Blog Advent Tour, has awarded several of us, myself included, a Christmas Spirit Award. The details:

“You must be a true Christmas lover to receive this award.
The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas.
Link back to the person who gave you the award.
List 5 things that you love about Christmas. If you can’t limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space!
Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 50. It’s up to you! But keep the Christmas cheer going!
Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment. Also, link back to the person who gave you the award.”

5 Things that I love about Christmas:

1. Christmas Carols, particularly the classic songs. I love the fact that there is a great deal of traditional music associated with this period of time. My favorites are the greats: Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, The Andrews Sisters.

2. Christmas films. From the old favorites to more contemporary films, I love immersing myself in the Christmas spirit by watching Christmas movies. It begins Thanksgiving evening and doesn’t end until Christmas Day.

3. Lights. Every year we make at least one trip around to look at Christmas lights, but more than that I just enjoy seeing the neighborhood homes, and my own house, lit up when I come home at night. I also really like the lights indoors. White Christmas lights inside provide such an interesting quality of light that I wish there was a reason to have them as part of my decor all year long.

4. Scheduled time with family and friends. I greatly appreciate the fact that, despite the busy nature of our every day lives, Christmas provides an opportunity where we all make the time to get together.

5. The celebration of the beginning of God’s gift to us. While my relationship with Jesus is important to me throughout the year, I am especially cognizant of it during this time of year. The tradition and rituals of celebration combined with the personal nature of one’s relationship with God makes this time of year feel incredibly special.

I am going to take the easy way out and not pinpoint specific individuals for this award and instead would like to give it to everyone. Whether you’ve been full of the Christmas spirit for weeks now or whether you’ve been struggling along wishing that you could capture just an ounce of seasonal joy, if you like Christmas and are hoping for a little peace, joy and love during this time of year then you deserve the Christmas Spirit Award. Congratulations to you all!