This pretty little book has been on my bedside table for a couple of weeks now and I finished reading it last night. It is a book of festive short stories, all of which hail from the Nordic regions. When I am busy writing and working on my own projects, I much prefer to read short stories or poetry, as I can pick up an anthology in a spare moment without losing too much time away from my own writing, so books like this one are perfect for that purpose.
A Scandinavian Christmas is a lovely collection of both modern and traditional stories for the festive season. As you might imagine from the title, these tales carry you away to the snowy Nordic realms, with reindeer, northern lights and icy igloos all playing a part. It's not all fluffy festive stories though - some deal with darker topics such as hallucinogenic drug use and addiction, so this is not a book for children. That said, there are lots of tales here that children might enjoy having read to them as bedtime stories, so it's really down to parental discretion.
Many of the authors were unknown to me, being Scandinavian, but there are also classic authors such as Hans Christian Anderson represented too. Some of my favourite tales in this collection include The Fir Tree, The Fur Coat, The Forest Witch and The Legend of the Christmas Rose. The book also includes classics such as The Little Match Girl and The Brave Tin Soldier. Here you will find trolls and talking trees, cosy tales told by a blazing fire, snowy adventures and unfaithful wives. As a collection it is both surprising and very familiar. It is a fantastic introduction to Scandinavian folklore and tradition.
The cover art is stunning and this would make a lovely stocking filler for a bookworm. It would look very pretty underneath the tree this Yuletide. I have enjoyed reading one of the tales each night before I go to sleep. It really puts you into the festive mood, so if you want a seasonal bedtime read in the run up to Christmas, then this book is ideal.
It looks great with my collection of festive books on my Yuletide bookshelf and is a nice addition to that collection. It's a quick read, perfect to dip in and out of during the busy Christmas period, when you want to steal a few moments to yourself and escape to a snowy setting.
A Scandinavian Christmas is a book best enjoyed by candlelight, tucked up into bed with a warm glass of Norwegian glogg beside you, to keep out the chill of a winter's night. Good Yule!
BB Marie x
AD: This book was sent to me by the publisher for review purposes. It is available to buy and download now.
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