THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

This Christmas package contains poetry and prose from diverse authors. The addition of Christmas carols in many languages adds to the holiday spirit. The text begins with a recipe for Christmas pastry from 1594, which is skillfully recited in a charming English accent. Dickens's Christmas articles from HOUSEHOLD WORDS magazine are enthusiastically delivered, concluding beautifully with the phrase, "There was everything and more." In stark contrast is George R. Sims's "Christmas in the Workhouse," in which a meek pauper changes when his wife is killed by the greed of the very rich people who are offering a Christmas "feast" at the workhouse. His moving proclamation, "I will not eat this vulture's feast," is heartbreaking and inspiring. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2015]