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Old Christmas

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'Old Christmas' by Washington Irving is a collection of essays that paint a vivid picture of Christmas celebrations in old England. The book takes the reader on a journey through various aspects of Christmas, from the preparations leading up to the big day to the joyous festivities that follow. Irving's writing is rich in detail and description, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the traditions and customs of a bygone era. The book captures the essence of a traditional English Christmas, complete with nostalgic reflections and heartwarming tales of yesteryears.

The storytelling in 'Old Christmas' is structured in a series of essays that explore different facets of the holiday season, from the joy of reuniting with loved ones to the traditions and rituals that define the Christmas festivities. Irving's writing style transports the reader back in time, evoking a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the simpler pleasures of the holiday season. Each essay in the book offers a glimpse into the past, highlighting the enduring charm of old-fashioned Christmas celebrations and the importance of upholding traditions across generations.

Characters:

Characters are reflective of traditional festive spirits, including a traveler, the squire, and various community figures engaged in holiday celebrations.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is detailed and evocative, although occasionally verbose and challenging due to long paragraphs and sentences.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a traveler's experience of celebrating Christmas in an old English estate, intertwining nostalgia for past traditions with festive descriptions of seasonal celebrations.

Setting:

The setting encapsulates an old English manor during Christmas, replete with traditional festivities and pastoral imagery.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow with ample detail, offering a quick read, though lacking in strong narrative drive.

Notes:

Old Christmas is written by Washington Irving, known for stories like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle.
The book paints a vivid picture of traditional English Christmas celebrations from over 100 years ago.
It includes detailed descriptions of customs like the yule log, wassail bowl, and holiday games.
The book is a nostalgia-filled reflection on the passing of old Christmas traditions.
It consists of five essays covering different aspects of Christmas, such as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Despite being set in the 19th century, its themes of longing for simpler times resonate today.
Illustrations by Randolph Caldecott enhance the reading experience, adding charm to the text.
The writing is rich and descriptive, helping readers visualize the festive celebrations.
The book touches on the class system and its evolution over time, relevant to modern readers.
It's a short read, only about 60 pages, making it suitable for holiday reading.

From The Publisher:

After the dance was concluded, the whole party was entertained with brawn and beef, and stout home-brewed. The Squire himself mingled among the rustics, and was received with awkward demonstrations of deference and regard. -from "Christmas Day" Warmly convivial and delightfully festival, this charming and long forgotten holiday classic, by one of American literature's most beloved writers, was inspired, in part, by Dickens' A Christmas Carol and other celebrations of oldtime Yule. Splendid suppers and rural churches, cheerful dances and hearty spirits imbue this short novel with the magic of the season. This festive work, first published in 1896, deserves to be a holiday tradition alongside Dickens in the celebrations of the winter solstice. American author WASHINGTON IRVING (1783-1859) wrote extensively in the areas of history and historical biography but is best known for his short fiction, including "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle.

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