The Christmas Letters

by Lee Smith

A story of three generations of women and the Christmas letters they write, this novella spans 50 years and many events, and gives an intimate picture of life in the second half of the 20th century. Many letters also include a recipe.

Editions of The Christmas Letters

	ISBN 9781565123762	Binding/Format Paperback	Publisher Algonquin Books	Date 2002	Price $2.50
	ISBN 9781565121560	Binding/Format Hardcover	Publisher Workman Pub Co	Date 1996	Price $1.00	Used - Acceptable

Publisher Notes

This heartwarming story of three generations of Christmas letter writers is about family tradition, family love, family strength - the perfect story to give at Christmas, and to read yourself. Birdie Pickett, her daughter Mary, and her granddaughter Melanie are all storytellers at heart. Their letters - folded inside their Christmas cards - tend to be long ones because they write to explain their lives as much to themselves as to far-flung family and friends. In these vivid, familiar, gossipy letters, Lee Smith's skill at capturing women's voices renders the "clash of generations" - heard here at very close range - as the music of our ever-evolving American family life. It's the perfect music to listen to at Christmastime.

Media Reviews

"A clever idea that finds its own suitable length. Smith's short novel leaves so much unsaid, as befits the semi-public epistolary genre, but manages to reflect change in humble matters, even in something so simple as a recipe. A delight."

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