The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder is a heartwarming tale that intertwines a modern-day mystery with the story of Christmas. The book follows the journey of a young girl who travels back in time from northern Europe to Bethlehem, encountering various characters and learning about history and geography along the way. The story is meant to be read as an Advent calendar, with one chapter to be read each day leading up to Christmas, making it a perfect festive read for families.

Characters:

The characters are charming and provide depth, ranging from humorous to wise, enriching the story's educational aspects.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines imaginative storytelling with informative content, making it engaging for both children and adults.

Plot/Storyline:

The intricate plot weaves together a modern-day girl's adventures with historical journeys and lessons across geography.

Setting:

The setting spans different historical and geographical contexts, transitioning from contemporary Europe to ancient biblical locales.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate and designed for daily reading, gradually unfolding the story while maintaining engagement.

Among all these busy people were Papa and Joachim. They had gone into town to buy an Advent calendar, and it was their last chance, because tomorrow would be December 1. . They were sold out at the ne...

Notes:

The book is structured as an Advent calendar, intended to be read one chapter each day from December 1 to December 24.

It features an 8-year-old girl who travels back in time to Bethlehem during Jesus' birth.

Along her journey, she meets various historical and mythical figures, including shepherds and wise men.

The story blends history, geography, and theology, aiming to be informative and engaging for family readers.

Some readers found the ending disappointing and would have preferred it to end with ambiguity.

There are a few paragraphs that some readers criticize for presenting misleading theological views and leftist political opinions.

Despite some controversial viewpoints, many readers still highly recommend the book for its imaginative storytelling.

The book has been enjoyed across generations, with families sharing it as a Christmas tradition.

It includes misprints and typographical errors in some editions, which can detract from the reading experience.

Readers have expressed that the book changes their perspective on the Christmas story and prompts further exploration of the subjects discussed.

From The Publisher:

In the corner of a dusty old bookstore, Joachim discovers a magic advent calendar. When he opens the first window on December first, a small piece of paper falls out, containing the story of a little girl named Elisabet.

Using his historical insight and beautiful imagination, Jostein Gaarder has created a unique and exciting holiday story for the whole family. Beautifully illustrated, The Christmas Mystery will make a wonderful permanent addition to the literature of Christmas.

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The Christmas Mystery?

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About the Author:

Jostein Gaarder is the author of Sophie's World, an international bestseller that has been translated into more than 50 languages. There are over 30 million copies in print. He was born in Oslo, Norway, in 1952. He taught high-school philosophy for several years before publishing a collection of short stories in 1986 and, shortly thereafter, his first two novels, The Solitaire Mystery and Sophie's World, and several others since then. He lives in Oslo with his family.

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