A review by bgg616
Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

5.0

This book was such a surprise! I expected some short stories about England in the 1930's that were related to Christmas. What I discovered were stories that explored the intricacies of life in England as it moved from the Edwardian Age into the Modern Era. Gibbons explores deep themes - the meaning of life, the role of women, relationships versus isolation in her stories. It is a cliché to describe stories in a collection such as this as gems, but each of these stories truly is. I liked every single one. Alexander McCall Smith wrote the introduction to this edition. He compliments Gibbons but reserves higher praise for her contemporary Barbara Pym. I don't think a comparison is needed or even fair. Gibbons work in this collection shows she stands the test of time, and richly deserves a contemporary readership.