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lemanley's review
3.0
After reading this was one of Chris Bohjalian's favorite books, I found the book and purchased it. (He is one of my favorite authors) I found the story funny but not quite as much as Chris seems to have found it.
The characters are quirky and funny. The novel is narrated by Kerrington, or “Kerry,” a ten year old boy. After a particularly disastrous Christmas, his parents decide to divorce, setting off a series of comical events As we read, Kerry’s parents both trying to garnish the favor of his affection and the affection of his six-year old sister Missy. Kerry’s dad falls for Miss Glen and the kids are thrust into the Bohemian craze of the New York fashion industry. Mom on the other hand; gets involved with a respectable lawyer. The grandmothers of Kerry & Missy are funny in their own right.
The Joyous Season is a "light and fluffy" read. I found some laugh out loud moments, yet, this novel will probably not be one I recall after a week or two.
The characters are quirky and funny. The novel is narrated by Kerrington, or “Kerry,” a ten year old boy. After a particularly disastrous Christmas, his parents decide to divorce, setting off a series of comical events As we read, Kerry’s parents both trying to garnish the favor of his affection and the affection of his six-year old sister Missy. Kerry’s dad falls for Miss Glen and the kids are thrust into the Bohemian craze of the New York fashion industry. Mom on the other hand; gets involved with a respectable lawyer. The grandmothers of Kerry & Missy are funny in their own right.
The Joyous Season is a "light and fluffy" read. I found some laugh out loud moments, yet, this novel will probably not be one I recall after a week or two.
attytheresa's review
4.0
A witty satire told entirely in flash back from the perspective of Kerry, a precocious 10 year old, The Joyous Season tells the story of Kerry, his 6 year old sister Missy, their parents, grandmothers, and extended household, starting with Christmas, 1963. Let's just say, for the record, that Christmas does not go well, and before you can say Happy New Year, Kerry's parents are headed to divorce court, new relationships, and even remarriage. Along the way, Kerry, introduces the reader to a hilarious and scathing look at upper crust and social climbing New York just as the 1964 World's Fair opens.
There is much to like - Kerry's vocabulary misunderstandings and deadpan delivery of the most outrageous things, the brutally sharp characterizations, the madcap pace of events, and the dramatic and satisfying denouement. It reminded me frequently of the classic 1939 movie The Women, but without the cattiness. My one criticism is the predictability of the plot, but it was so hilariously delivered, I did not mind.
Best of all, it made me smile as I read, and even laugh out loud in public.
There is much to like - Kerry's vocabulary misunderstandings and deadpan delivery of the most outrageous things, the brutally sharp characterizations, the madcap pace of events, and the dramatic and satisfying denouement. It reminded me frequently of the classic 1939 movie The Women, but without the cattiness. My one criticism is the predictability of the plot, but it was so hilariously delivered, I did not mind.
Best of all, it made me smile as I read, and even laugh out loud in public.
attytheresa's review against another edition
4.0
A witty satire told entirely in flash back from the perspective of Kerry, a precocious 10 year old, The Joyous Season tells the story of Kerry, his 6 year old sister Missy, their parents, grandmothers, and extended household, starting with Christmas, 1963. Let's just say, for the record, that Christmas does not go well, and before you can say Happy New Year, Kerry's parents are headed to divorce court, new relationships, and even remarriage. Along the way, Kerry, introduces the reader to a hilarious and scathing look at upper crust and social climbing New York just as the 1964 World's Fair opens.
There is much to like - Kerry's vocabulary misunderstandings and deadpan delivery of the most outrageous things, the brutally sharp characterizations, the madcap pace of events, and the dramatic and satisfying denouement. It reminded me frequently of the classic 1939 movie The Women, but without the cattiness. My one criticism is the predictability of the plot, but it was so hilariously delivered, I did not mind.
Best of all, it made me smile as I read, and even laugh out loud in public.
There is much to like - Kerry's vocabulary misunderstandings and deadpan delivery of the most outrageous things, the brutally sharp characterizations, the madcap pace of events, and the dramatic and satisfying denouement. It reminded me frequently of the classic 1939 movie The Women, but without the cattiness. My one criticism is the predictability of the plot, but it was so hilariously delivered, I did not mind.
Best of all, it made me smile as I read, and even laugh out loud in public.
natesbookstack's review against another edition
5.0
Joyous Season is just a triumph I am unsure if other words can be used. While I will admit it can be dated it is a perfect satirical piece for the time period. The characters are 3-D and I found myself laughing out loud several times. After my obsession with Auntie Mame (novels, movies, musical) this book sat on a bookshelf for years.
In the novel Karrington (Kerry) and his sister Melissa (Missy) find themselves with two parents at odds one Christmas Morning. Divorce is inevitable and they find themselves shuttled to various family members homes almost immediately either stuffy old Gran, who consistently is sick or Ga-Ga who is a free spirit looking for her next husband or fling. Hilarity ensues on almost every page! Definitely 5 Stars!
In the novel Karrington (Kerry) and his sister Melissa (Missy) find themselves with two parents at odds one Christmas Morning. Divorce is inevitable and they find themselves shuttled to various family members homes almost immediately either stuffy old Gran, who consistently is sick or Ga-Ga who is a free spirit looking for her next husband or fling. Hilarity ensues on almost every page! Definitely 5 Stars!
dilan11's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, I gave it 2 stars because I think I chuckled once or twice. I am not sure where I ever got this book from, but I don't recommend it at all. It is an annoying narrator that is like no ten year old kid I've ever met. Dennis was trying to do a young Holden Caulfield or something but it's horrible. The story is boring and also unbelievable. It was written less than 50 years ago. It seems like 500 years so much has changed in the world. The only thing I would like to see from this book is a Tyler Perry movie where the maid/nanny is white and all the rich black people talk about the whites.
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