Title: A Visit from Naughty Claus (‘twere the Night After Christmas)
Author: RyFT Brand (Robert F Thompson)
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: December 1, 2011
Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary, Holiday
Length: 3 pages
Source: I received a free copy from the author.
Rating: 3 Stars
Blurb:
Content Warning: a terrible tantrum and an even worse consequence for that tantrum.
Review:
Christmas comes in many forms.
This poem is so short that my review of it may very well end up having more words in it than the poem itself! It’s a riff of The Night Before Christmas, but the point of it can still be made if there are any readers who aren’t already familiar with the original. I enjoy seeing how modern authors reinterpret old classics and thought this was a realistic take on what Christmas can be like for some families who aren’t exactly picture perfect.
The beginning explained how the narrator’s family was attempting to deal with a child who seemed to be keen to destroy Christmas for everyone in that household. I say attempting because the parents were trying but didn’t seem to have the gumption to really put their feet down and get their child to stop destroying presents and ruining the house. As I was reading, I wondered if the youngster had been spoiled during his short lifetime or if he had something going on with his mental or physical health that was contributing to these tantrums. Yes, I know I’m probably wildly overthinking this, but it was interesting to come up with various theories about what was going on with him.
As for the ending? Well, you’ll have to discover that for yourselves. It made me wish Mr. Thompson would reappear on the literary scene and write a sequel to this short, funny piece. There was more he could do with it, and I would have found it amusing to find out what happened next. In the meantime, I’ll just have to use my imagination and encourage all of my readers to check out this playful piece of poetry as Christmas looms nearer.
A Visit from Naughty Claus made me chuckle.
I am not very talented at making generic present suggestions because so much of what goes into gift buying for me are the specific personality traits and interests of the recipients.
1) Their favourite sunscreen, bug spray, anti-itch cream, or lotion.
I’ve read the first eight of these, and the rest are still on my TBR list. Snowy settings can be so interesting to read about, although I only enjoy heavy snowfalls in real life when I can stay home and don’t have to shovel snow or drive in it.
Title: Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2024, Book 3
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that happens during the same season of the year every year. The winter blues are a milder condition similar to this one that has some of the same symptoms and many of the same treatment options, although some people also use that term colloquially to refer to SAD.
Title: Come December
Oh, this week’s topic is easy.
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
Title: Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2023