The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale
The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale
Book Brief
BetaThe Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 201464
Short Story • Fiction
Small town, America • 1940s
2014
Adult
12+ years
Super Short Summary
In "The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale" by Philip van Doren Stern, a distraught man encounters a mysterious stranger on Christmas Eve who grants him an unusual wish. This intervention leads the man to experience life as if he had never existed, prompting pivotal insights about his impact on the lives of others.
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Fantastical
Hopeful
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
4,113 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale by Philip van Doren Stern is hailed for its heartwarming story and timeless themes of hope and redemption. Positive reviews praise its inspiring plot and memorable characters, while some critics mention its brevity impacting depth. Overall, it remains an enduring classic that captures the spirit of Christmas marvelously.
Who Should Read The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale?
A reader who enjoys heartwarming, classic tales with themes of gratitude and self-worth, akin to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, would appreciate The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale. Fans of stories that explore life's value through magical realism will find this novella compelling and uplifting.
4,113 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Inspired by a dream, Philip Van Doren Stern wrote The Greatest Gift in 1943 as a short story of just 4,100 words, initially self-publishing it as a 24-page pamphlet sent out as a Christmas card to friends and family.
The story eventually caught the attention of Hollywood, and it was adapted into the classic film It's a Wonderful Life in 1946, directed by Frank Capra.
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The Greatest Gift struggled to find a publisher at first, but its heartwarming message ultimately led to it becoming a beloved holiday staple over the years.
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64
Short Story • Fiction
Small town, America • 1940s
2014
Adult
12+ years
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