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Junior Fiction
Doubleday
Hardback £10.99
ISBN: 0385606184
Reviewed by Angela Solomons
[Armadillo 6.1 Spring 2004]
Anne Fineęs latest novel aimed at the eight to twelve age group is about the hilarious events of a family Christmas. Ralph, the narrator is the son of the unlucky hosts and he has an extensive number of relatives with a host of eccentricities. The action takes place over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the disasters include a mix-up between two Santa letters, the mystery of the two half bricks, the broken oven door and Mumęs four page rant about what she has done toward preparing for Christmas, compared with her husbandęs contribution, which will, I think, will strike a chord with many mothers! Inevitably the visit ends in a family row, and Ralph is sent to his room, but he becomes the hero of the hour as most of the irritating relatives take umbrage and leave, to the relief of those remaining.
Although this novel contains elements that children will relate to (having to entertain elderly relatives, the difference between the joyous anticipation and the often disappointing reality of Christmas) I have two minor criticisms; the names of some of the characters were unusual to say the least Ū I found it hard to identify with Digby, Titania, Sylvester and Ralph as modern day names. Also I found the inclusion of the family tree to be more of a hindrance than a help, as I had to keep breaking off to consult it! However it is a very funny novel that I am sure will be popular with confident readers.