Book Review - The Santa Suit - Holiday Fiction - Author: Mary Kay Andrews

Listen to Book Club Reporter Book Review of The Santa Suit - Holiday Fiction - Author: Mary Kay Andrews

Transcript

Book-Review-Podcast-The-Santa-Suit-Book-Review

  Introduction: (00:01)

 Hello gentle readers. Welcome to Book Club Reporter Book Reviews Podcast. I’m your host and Book Club Reporter, Laura Jay. 

Season/Episode: (00:11)

 This season three, episode nine. 

Book/Author: (00:15)

 Today I’m going to talk about The Santa Suit, written by author Mary Kay Andrews. 

About Book Club Reporter: (00:23)

 And before we get started, be sure to read all my book reviews, book news, book club reading lists and more at bookclubreporter.com and also now on bookpraises.com as well. And you can follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Just take a look at the show notes for this podcast for all the info and links. But right now, I invite you to relax and enjoy my book review of The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews.

Book Description: (00:55)

 Okay fellow readers, I’m going to give you the publisher’s description of this book. And that should provide us with a good segue into my book review.

 “From May Kay Andrews, the New York Times bestselling author of Hello, Summer, comes a novella celebrating the magic of Christmas and second chances in The Santa Suit.

When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love--but Ivy didn't bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it's a full-time job sorting through all of it.

At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit--beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it's from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?

Ivy's quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.” 

Book Review Intro: (02:39)

 Okay, so here’s my book review of The Santa Suit.

Book Review : (02:42)

 The Santa Suit is a holiday fiction novel. It is an endearing story of generosity, positivity and love during the holidays from Mary Kay Andrews.

Book Review Continued: (02:54)

 Showing generosity to others can snowball in a good way by building up community participation.

Book Review Continued: ( 03:02)

 So, I mentioned positivity: While reading this story something would happen that caused me to think, uh-oh this can’t be good, but The Santa Suit proved me wrong.

Book Review Continued (03:12)    

 In this story, each time someone helped someone else, another person…and then…even more people would jump in to assist with whatever needed to be accomplished.

Book Review Continued: (03:23)

 This was in stark contrast to other elements of The Santa Suit that served to show what can and does occur when people face what feels like callous, and uncaring situations: such as the moving truck debacle and the loss of belonging(s). 

Book Review Continued: (03:40)

And if I take that idea and go even a step further, in regards to the loss of Ivy’s belonging and how she handled the crushing loss of her marriage. Even in the face of her own loss and unfortunate life situations (such as the betrayal she suffered from her husband), Ivy’s indomitable spirit not only carried her through a difficult time, but lifted her up as well.

 
Book Review Continued: (04:06)    

However, as Ivy was lifted up, were others, in turn, lifted up? And if so, were some lifted in concrete ways, and others in more individual ways, such as personal self-worth? The possibilities are all there…

 
Book Review Continued: (054:21)

 Ivy must have looked pretty foolish by the local townspeople when she put all her savings into an old run down farmhouse in a small rural community sight unseen. In fact, this question arose more than a few times, “Why did you buy an old farmhouse without even seeing it?” Ivy came into a small town and could become either a laughing stock as the foolish woman who bought the old house, or as a catalyst with the power to lift up the community as a whole. But what did Ivy do? Well, of course, you will need to read The Santa Suit to find out.

Book Review Continued: (05:01)

 The Santa Suit brings us a simple message of love, hope and charity.  But “is” it really that simple? And… can it actually “be” just that’ simple?

 Book Review Continued: (05:14)

You know, John Lennon brought us a rather simple, and yet, what could also be thought of as a significant world changing message with this lyric from his song, Imagine: 

 “Imagine all the people, livin’ life in peace.”

Book Review Continued:  (05:32)

 And then there was singer-songwriter, Bob Lind, who brought us a similar message with this lyric from his song, Illusive Butterfly:

 “Don't be concerned, it will not harm you

It's only me pursuing somethin' I'm not sure of

Across my dreams with nets of wonder

I chase the bright elusive butterfly of love.”

  
In regards to his song lyrics in Illusive Butterfly, Bob Lind was quoted as saying this: 

“I think the words are about the magic of the quest — the thrill and passion of searching, even when the thing sought remains distant and hard to see.” 

Book Review Continued:  (06:17)

So what do I think? I’m so glad you asked! In my mind, the messages of Imagine and Illusive Butterfly, align nicely with Ivy’s quest and purpose in her life going forward. And as for me, I choose to believe that we can rise above our adversities and come together with others to benefit us all.

 As I read The Santa Suit, I found myself not laughing at Ivy’s folly, but rather wanting to believe the same townspeople who scoffed at her folly of buying that old farmhouse, might come to realize and appreciate Ivy for her determination and spirit.  

Thank You: (6:56)           

 Thank you all for joining me today for this book club reporter book review. If you would like more info about today’s book review or a copy of the book, check the show notes for this podcast episode, or simply visit BookClubReporter.com.

I really appreciate you all stopping by and listening to my feelings about the books I read. I hope you have enjoyed this book review podcast episode. And my book club reporter podcast show. And if you did, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee. Just click the Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes of this podcast. Thanks in advance for your kindness. You are very much appreciated. Thanks again for listening. 

 
See You Next Time: (7:36)

See you all next time.

 End: (07:55)