Helpful Score: 6
This is a most heartwarming book. A man who has always felt like an outcast is told by his doctor that he only has a short time to live thanks to emphysema and years of neglecting his health. The doctor tells him to get out of Chicago and go to a warmer climate before winter because a bout of pneumonia will be fatal. So Oswald T. Campbell ends up in the town of Lost River, Alabama. As always, Fannie Flagg entertains us with eccentric and colorful characters. This book is very charming and everyone lives happily ever after.... but that is what makes this such a happy book to read. If you are looking for intense relationships or conflicts, this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a simple book that will make you smile and warm your heart, A Redbird Christmas will fit the bill perfectly.
Helpful Score: 5
A nice read for a lazy day. The book begins with a very dark feel to it, but turns into a heartwarming, cheerful story. Very typical Fannie Flagg southern characters... but that's a good thing. Read with Kleenex nearby... just in case! ;-)
Helpful Score: 3
This was really Hollywood. Its a story of a small Alabama town and its people. Its short and sweet. This old man finds out his emphysema is worse and he could only have a year to live so he moves from Chicago to this town in Alabama. The redbird is a cardinal the only store owner rescues as a baby and tames. A little girl befriends the bird. Turns out the little girl was left with this woman and the woman doesnt want her so one of the old ladies of the town takes her in. The story is cute and light. The ending, for me, was too happy. But, it was enjoyable.
Helpful Score: 3
A lovely story of small town people who took to heart a needy little girl. This is a Christmas story as well as a story of caring and compassion. When you help others you truly help yourself.You will want to move to Lost River, Alabama,( the setting of this novel) when you finish this book.
Helpful Score: 2
An excellent Christmas read. Loved the writing style and the characters draw you in to the story. Enjoyed this book a lot and will be looking for some of the author's other work.
Helpful Score: 2
After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River.
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely feel magic and love for, A Redbird Christmas! The first time I read it, I was inspired from the very depths of me! It captures the human soul's desires for happiness, security and support from others and spirit. Even though it is with simplist ease that this story is told, it brings all these to my heart! I have given this book as Christmas gifts and I've read it just before Christmas. Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I'll get this book out and read it! A Redbird Christmas is a classic!
Helpful Score: 1
This is SUCH a wonderful story. You never know what God has in store for you! It is a story of life, family, love, redemption, a small town, and several lost souls. WONDERFUL!!
Helpful Score: 1
After a serious diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald Campbell finds himself in Alabama and discovers the healing touch of a small town community. A very inspirational read.
Helpful Score: 1
I love this book! I find there is a kind of magic that runs through this wonderful story. It moved me from the first page all the way to the end. I bought three copies of A Redbird Christmas for my daughters last Christmas... and I've asked many of my friends if they'd have ever read, A Redbird Christmas. It will be a tradition for me to read this book every Christmas. I believe it's better than any Christmas story I've ever read or watched. Thank you Fannie Flagg for writing such a warm beautiful story.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book and have purchased addtional copies for friends. It is a great book to read all year long but especially at Christmas!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a super fast read, but was uplifting and fun to read. I have never had a problem with any of the Fannie Flagg books being boring.
The best part this was a great book for Christmas.
The best part this was a great book for Christmas.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was funny, sad at times, and very heartwarming
Helpful Score: 1
I really loved this book...it was a nice story to read around the holidays. It will help you de-stress as it is an easy read and makes you feel good!
Helpful Score: 1
This was such an uplifting book! Fannie Flagg has written another outstanding piece!!
Helpful Score: 1
Fannie Flagg is an extremely good writer. This story has her usual wonderful characters. Oswald T. Campbell, an orphan named after a can of soup, is told he has only a short time to live. He heads south, hoping to maximize the time he has left. He moves to a small town where he meets all the colorful locals, along with a redbird and a young crippled girl. And miracles happen.
Helpful Score: 1
A delightful tale about everyday types of people.
Helpful Score: 1
If you love Fanny Flagg as an author, she has stayed true to form with A Redbird Christmas. Excellent book and entertaining read.
Quick read-delightful fun!
A fun... warm.... Feel Good novel....
A pleasant fantasy for Christmas reading. Not Fannie Flagg at her best, but great if you want a very happy ending.
Not just for Christmas, this book is the story of a man with only a few months to live who decides to spend his last days in a small country town far from the frigid Chicago he calls home. During his stay, he builds new friendships and new interests, and finally a new purpose for his life. It is a sweet and heartwarming tale of friendship, loyalty and budding romance.
I loved this book!
Don't let the title fool you. This is not your typical "Christams" novel. A man is told he has only months to live. He leaves Chicago for Alabama and his whole life changes.
An enjoyable read from the first page to the last.
An enjoyable read from the first page to the last.
This is avery beautiful gift copy!
With the same incomparable style and warm, inviting voice that have made her beloved by millions of readers far and wide, New York Times bestselling author Fannie Flagg has written an enchanting Christmas story of faith and hope for all ages that is sure to become a classic.
Deep in the southernmost part of Alabama, along the banks of a lazy winding river, lies the sleepy little community known as Lost River, a place that time itself seems to have forgotten. After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder, you too will never forget A Redbird Christmas.
With the same incomparable style and warm, inviting voice that have made her beloved by millions of readers far and wide, New York Times bestselling author Fannie Flagg has written an enchanting Christmas story of faith and hope for all ages that is sure to become a classic.
Deep in the southernmost part of Alabama, along the banks of a lazy winding river, lies the sleepy little community known as Lost River, a place that time itself seems to have forgotten. After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder, you too will never forget A Redbird Christmas.
Very heartwarming and touching! A great story.
Great little book.
Welllll...let's say I thought this book was cute. That's about it. And I really like Fannie Flagg.
The title sounds like possibly another mawkish Christmas novel. Not so! A 'Redbird Christmas' is one of Fannie Flagg's best! She has the gift of taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary, of taking everyday people and giving them dignity and charm. She's also one heck of a storyteller!
Heartwarming and wonderful.
Feel good, uplifting, and delightful
Heartwarming story! Fannie Flagg weaves characters together in a beautiful way, as always.
Fannie Flagg IS the voice of the Southern Woman Novel! Now she is the voice for a certainly non-typical, Southern Man. A 50-something life-long failure is told by his doctor that his time left is limited; so he heads South for a better climate in which to die. Who he meets, how he reacts and what happens as his life is changing will simply GRAB your heart. Fannie Flagg has a way of developing characters AND situations that you can really put into your heart. You will want to head South and meet these people. Every book she has written is a literary love-letter to the South. And lucky us - we get to peek over her shoulder and read them! Please read this book! You won't be sorry!
Very good. Easy read and lots of quirky characters. Loved the small town feel.
A delightful Christmas tale that will please anyone who has already enjoyed Fannie Flagg's FRIED GREEN TOMATOES or her other novels of the South. Would make a good present, too.
From back cover: After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River, Alabama. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder , you too will never forget A REDBIRD CHRISTMAS.
From back cover: After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River, Alabama. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder , you too will never forget A REDBIRD CHRISTMAS.
Another Alabama tale by the author of Fried Green Tomates at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Not simply a Christmas story.
Light, feel good reading as only Fannie Flagg does best.
After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder, you too will never forget A Redbird Christmas.
my favorite holiday book ( 2years & counting).
I really enjoyed this book.
Excellent to read just before Christmas...heartwarming characters and a good story too.
I loved this book! What a happy ending! Just makes you feel good all around.
Sigh- such an awesome book-very much of a surprise ending. She never disapoints..
I enjoyed this book very much.
This is a delightful little book, perfect for this time of year -- light and easy to read with lots of "feel good" material. I've not read many of Fannie Flagg's books, but this was just lovely.
Fannie Flagg... need I say more?
great story
Light and easy holiday reading.
A cute, short, novel full of fun from the sunny south.
Love Fannie Flagg, this is a great quick read, its a nice story with humor and heart
What a fun book - love a happy ending.
Very sweet story. A feel-good kind of book for when you are feeling down.
Really enjoyed this book.
This was a nice Christmas story, however I don't think it measures up to Flagg's Can't Wait to Get to Heaven.
A delightful story, one you can finish in an evening.
This is such a sweet and funny story. Everything Fannie writes is a gem!!!
A wonderful, sweet story.
Wonderful charming story about small towns and love.
This is Fanny's best book yet! I read it in one sitting. She is such a good story weaver.
This is a keeper-to reread around the holidays and to try the recipes!
Fannie Flagg's books are always entertaining and usually about small town life. This is a sweet story with endearing characters. The book is well written and easy to read. Nice holiday reading.
A very enjoyable, feel good book which held my interest from beginning to end.
Perfect read this time of year. Very touching story about a man who thought this would be his last x-mas. If you have never read any Ms Flagg stories, this is one to start with. You will be sold. She is a very heart warming author and this story is beautiful. Well worth the time spent within the pages.
A great story of love and community. I will always remember this story.
I loved this book. I read it just before Christmas and it put me in the Christmas spirit in a great way. I loved the idea of your mail coming by boat, everything in this book was easy to visualize. Was geared towards an older generation 60 something, but me at 40, I thought it rocked. I recommend to everyone! Especially at Christmas! Beware: You will cry!
Easy, cute.
Another delight from Fannie Flagg. A true storyteller, she has the gift of description and of giving dignity to her characters. You'll be pulled in and love every moment. It is also appreciated that it is not a schmaltzy Christmas tale (as the title might imply).
A heart-warming short read which reminds us that no matter how much we might think its too late to turn our lives around, or that happiness is not meant for us, happiness could be waiting for us around the bend, just not in the way we imagined it would come. I loved the small town feel and all of the lovable characters. The story was brief and full of love and hope without being over-the-top sappy. Recommended to those searching for a quick little read that will get them in the holiday spirit. Recipes for treats referred to in the story are also included.
Nice Christmas story and quick read
Fannie Flagg at her best.
Absolutely loved this book! Full of hope and a little miracles thrown in for good measure. Very uplifting. Shows the power of hope and prayer and positive thinking. Fannie Flagg never disappoints.
A wonderful tale, especially for Christmas, but good any time. I loved the characters and it caught me right at the beginning.
Loved it, another great Fannie Flagg book.
Another heartwarming story of Southern folks by one of my favorite authors. This one is more of a novella; can be read in a few hours.
