Review: "Christmas Bells" by Jennifer Chaverini

This is the second novel by Jennifer Chaverini I have read and reviewed and it is a wonderful Christmas novel. She combines the tale of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s inspiration for his famed poem “Christmas Bells” with a modern day story. The children’s choir at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church is preparing for their Christmas concert, the highlight of which, is the singing of ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day’ which is based on Longfellow’s poem. The choir director is losing her job, the priest and his brother are estranged and a family is missing their father who is deployed in Afghanistan and this is just a few of the dilemmas that face the congregation of the church. Ms. Chaverini’s story blends the historical fiction in with the modern day to make a delightful tale that keeps you charmed until the last page.

The author employs a very interesting writing style in this book. While the historical portion follows along chronologically, the modern day segment is principally about each of the characters and their lives as they are attending choir practice. It explains each one’s background story. Once you are familiar with how they came to be there, the book moves forward and they all interact to create a marvelous ending. Juxtapose of style keeps the reader captivated and turning pages to the end.

This is an appealing novel that can be read by both young and old. Although there is tragedy in both portions, each eventually on a happy note. Although I didn’t find the story deep or intense, it is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter’s night.