teriboop's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of three stories by P. L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins. Although the title mentions "Christmas Stories", this was not a collection of stories about Christmas. They were written as stories that she wrote as Christmas gifts. Christmas was briefly mentioned in a couple of the stories, but that was it.
I didn't think they were outstanding stories, but I did enjoy the second one of the heathen Chinaman named Ah Wong. He was a humorous man. I can't say this is a favorite book, but the stories were cute and what you would expect of P. L. Travers.
I didn't think they were outstanding stories, but I did enjoy the second one of the heathen Chinaman named Ah Wong. He was a humorous man. I can't say this is a favorite book, but the stories were cute and what you would expect of P. L. Travers.
halfcentreader's review against another edition
4.0
3 memoir style short stories written by Travers to various members of her extended family as Christmas gifts. Each was a character study/tribute to someone that was influential to her upbringing in her early childhood. It is particularly of note how many attributes these real life people share with Travers' most famous fictional character, Mary Poppins.
kristinasshelves's review against another edition
2.0
Why did I finish listening to this?
This is made up of three stories: Aunt Sass, Ah Wong, and John Delaney. None of the stories are Christmas related despite the title of this collection. Aunt Sass was mildly entertaining, but the other two stories were awful. There were racist undertones, but given the era of writing I suppose that's to be expected- not that it's acceptable in any way, but historically accurate. I was also very uncomfortable with the main characters trying to convert their Chinese servant to Christianity without actually explaining salvation to him whatsoever, but rather to benefit themselves in some twisted way.
This is made up of three stories: Aunt Sass, Ah Wong, and John Delaney. None of the stories are Christmas related despite the title of this collection. Aunt Sass was mildly entertaining, but the other two stories were awful. There were racist undertones, but given the era of writing I suppose that's to be expected- not that it's acceptable in any way, but historically accurate. I was also very uncomfortable with the main characters trying to convert their Chinese servant to Christianity without actually explaining salvation to him whatsoever, but rather to benefit themselves in some twisted way.
naelany's review against another edition
4.0
First time reading PL Travers, author of Mary Poppins. Very much a similar style of story telling and left me feeling like I was visiting an old relative.
susie_reads's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
This consists of 3 short stories:
1 Aunt Sass
2 Ah Wong
3 Johnny Delaney
The setting is Australia where P.L. Travers grew up. Life is different down there. Aunt Sass is my favorite of the 3 stories. I was expecting more Christmas in these pages. There is a little holiday cheer, but really very little. P. L. Travers wrote these stories for friends and family and gave them to the people as a Christmas gift and I think that's why they are called Christmas.
Aunt Sass is sassy and very much like Mary Poppins. Yes, P. L. is the writer of Mary Poppins and this Aunt Sass is similar in many ways to Mary Poppins and she was the idea for this. I think Aunt Sass was a real person.
P. L.'s writing is very precise.
1 Aunt Sass
2 Ah Wong
3 Johnny Delaney
The setting is Australia where P.L. Travers grew up. Life is different down there. Aunt Sass is my favorite of the 3 stories. I was expecting more Christmas in these pages. There is a little holiday cheer, but really very little. P. L. Travers wrote these stories for friends and family and gave them to the people as a Christmas gift and I think that's why they are called Christmas.
Aunt Sass is sassy and very much like Mary Poppins. Yes, P. L. is the writer of Mary Poppins and this Aunt Sass is similar in many ways to Mary Poppins and she was the idea for this. I think Aunt Sass was a real person.
P. L.'s writing is very precise.
scsreads's review against another edition
3.0
I won this book from the Publisher as part of a twitter giveaway! This was a quick and enjoyable read. There are three stories about three different people and it was interesting to see how these people had an impact on her life. My favorite story was the titular one about Aunt Sass, who was the real-life inspiration for Mary Poppins. Aunt Sass is strict and prickly on the outside, but underneath she has a heart of gold. She’s the kind of aunt who’s done all sorts of interesting things with her life and has an anecdote for every situation. This was the first thing I’ve read by P.L. Travers, so now I’d like to check out some of her other work.
racheltimm's review
4.0
A charming, old-timey read...full of words like piquant, muzziness, and recumbent!