The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket
The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by Brett Helquist is a story about miracles. But not just any sort of ordinary miracles because we are talking about Lemony Snicket after all. If you were a walking, talking lump of coal who dressed in black, what would be your aspirations? Why to be an artist or being part of a barbecue of course! But after visiting an art gallery and Mr. Wong’s Korean Barbecue Palace and Secretarial School the hopes of the lump of coal are dashed. Nobody wants him. But a street corner Santa saves him by saying he’s just the thing to put in his stepson’s stocking as punishment. But it is a miracle, because as it ends up he’s the perfect gift after all. Lemony Snicket of course, spells out the moral of this story:
All these things are miracles. It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season – like all other seasons – is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them, and that’s the end of this particular story.
As the book cover says, “Is there a more charming holiday tale to behold? Probably, but Lemony Snicket has not written one.” If you love Lemony Snicket’s humor you will love The Lump of Coal. Even though I’ve read reviews that said this book had them in tears from laughing so hard, I don’t think I even chuckled. But that’s not to say that I thought it was fun. I love the idea of a Christmas story told from the perspective from a lump of coal. How often do we get that? It’s clever and and full of Lemony Snicket’s off the wall snide remarks. The illustrations by Brett Helquist (a Utah native and alumni from my alma mater BYU) were fun. The lump of coal looked like . . . well, a squat grumpy old man whom nothing went right for him.
Definitely worth checking out to see if it’s the right fit for your holiday reading.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Picture & Board Books
Tags: children's literature book club selection, Christmas, I-L Title, published 2008, Q-T Author
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Interesting. I’ve avoided it because it has been on the bestsellers list- and I usually avoid books on the bestsellers, unless I read them before they got there. Just a crazy quirk. I may just have to sit down and read this at work tomorrow (since after today, I’m not sure if any customers are going to be in the bookstore).
on December 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 pmDrew – I don’t think it’s for everybody. I think you’ll either love it or else it will just fall flat. Like I said, I didn’t even chuckle, but I still liked it. It will only take under five minutes to read, so if you don’t like it, it’s not time wasted.
on December 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pmI just saw this one n the bookstore and wondered how good it would be. (Rather short for hardcover price though, and I was looking for my cousins’ presents.)
on December 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 pmThe coracks me up!
on December 24th, 2008 at 6:14 am*cracks*
on December 24th, 2008 at 6:15 amThat sounds so cute.
on December 24th, 2008 at 6:51 amI saw this movie yesterday at the bookstore. I checked out the audiobooks of A Series of Unfortunate Events read by Tim Curry to play in he car when we are driving to and from school. I’ve read the whole set, but I LOVE Tim Curry’s audio version. My girls are really into it. They like they like the way that the author uses a big word and ten says, “in this case ____ meaning _______.”
By the way, have you gone to see The Tale of Despereaux movie yet Natasha?
on December 24th, 2008 at 12:11 pmI like this one. You should keep an eye out for The Composer is Dead–I think it’s releasing in March or April. It’s by Lemony Snicket and it is the BEST BEST BEST book ever.
on December 24th, 2008 at 12:15 pmLiviana – It’s short enough you could just read it right in the bookstore.
Maggie – LOL
Jenn M. – We are hoping to go see it this week with my in-laws (my MIL LOVED the book). We just walked in the door from seeing The Boy in the Striped Pajamas which was amazing.
Becky – Well, if you say it’s the BEST BEST BEST ever, I’ll definitely look into it.
on December 24th, 2008 at 5:02 pm