A Redbird Christmas
by Fannie Flagg
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Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:With the same incomparable style and warm, inviting voice that have made her beloved by millions of readers far and wide, New York Times bestselling author Fannie Flagg has written an enchanting Christmas story of faith and hope for all ages that is sure to become a classic.Deep in the southernmost part of Alabama, along the banks of a lazy winding river, lies the sleepy little community known as Lost River, a place that time itself seems to have show more forgotten. After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder, you too will never forget A Redbird Christmas. show less
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Another delightful book by Fannie Flagg. In this we follow the life of Oswald Campbell who, at his doctor's orders, moves from cold and busy Chicago to warm and restful Lost River, Alabama. Not used to being a people person, Oswald is taken aback by the friendliness of those in this tiny town. He quickly grows to love them all and becomes a vital member of their community. He strikes up a friendship with the local grocery store owner and his pet redbird who does tricks for sunflower seeds. If the story isn't heartwarming enough already, we are introduced to a darling little crippled girl, Patsy, who makes fast friends of Oswald and Jack the redbird. The story quickly becomes Patsy's as we follow the town falling in love with her and show more saving her from her life of poverty and neglect. What do you need to save your life and become the person you're meant to be? Apparently, the friendship you find in a tiny river town, a tiny redbird, and a tiny innocent child.
*I reread this book each year at Christmastime and it never loses its charm. It's a wonderful story with characters so real that in each reread, I feel like I'm blessed to be able to visit with old friends once again. A truly beautiful story about friendship, caring, and love. show less
*I reread this book each year at Christmastime and it never loses its charm. It's a wonderful story with characters so real that in each reread, I feel like I'm blessed to be able to visit with old friends once again. A truly beautiful story about friendship, caring, and love. show less
Adult orphan Oswald T. Campbell believes he has less than a year to live, so he moves from Chicago to rural Alabama to live out his final days. The charmingly eccentric residents of the small town he lands in help him regain his health and overcome his loneliness. A complication arises in the form of an abandoned little girl who needs surgery, but all ends happily ever after.
I read this predictable but pleasant book in a day. It's a feel-good story of redemption, healing, and even a Christmas miracle or two.
I read this predictable but pleasant book in a day. It's a feel-good story of redemption, healing, and even a Christmas miracle or two.
Honestly this was a delightful listen. It's not in the realm of possibility for me but I loved the endearing cast of characters and the quaint town where everybody knows everybody's business, When Oswald T. Campbell's doctor tells him he may not live to see Christmas if he doesn't leave cold wet Chicago and head south to a sunnier climate - he doesn't know what to do. His doctor handed him a faded brochure about the small town of Lost River and it's health resort. With nothing better to do Oswald heads down there only he's renting a room in lady's house because not only does he only have his disability check alone to live on but the health resort burned down decades prior. In no time at all he is swept up in the small town drama, show more oddities, and feuds. When he meets the little redbird named Jack who lives in the grocery story and a little orphaned crippled named Patsy - he has no idea how much his life is about to change for the better. Perfect for fans of quaint small towns. I love the southern drama - this was a unique holiday listen. show less
So sugary, it made my teeth ache! Old feller, an orphan from Chicago, advised by his doctor to seek a warmer clime to prolong his otherwise quickly-declining life, is given a brochure for a health resort in Alabama. Calling for information, he is connected to one of the town’s many busybodies, who informs him that the resort closed years ago, but she’ll dig around to find him a place. And so, Oswald T. Campbell becomes a resident of Lost River, Alabama. Enter all the lovable quirky small-town characters, the unresolved conflict with a tribe of Creoles across the river, a small unloved girl and a cardinal. Ms. Flagg painted a location that sounds like it would be a lovely place to visit – a friendly small town on a small river with show more lush vegetation and wildlife. Gardening, fishing, and birding are all things residents enjoy. I do declare, though, you’ve never SEEN so many happy endings! Well, it’s a Christmas story after all. Just beware – it’s sweeter than a plate full of Christmas fudge. show less
What a treat to read a Christmas story that's not a Hallmark romance. Yes the ending is predictable, but it doesn't lessen the joy of the novel. Oswald T. Campbell moves from Chicago to Lost River, Alabama because of his health. The community he finds there, including a little girl named Patsy, Jack the cardinal, and Frances ,the local busy body, all create the home and family he wasn't expecting. Just the feel-good Christmas read I was hoping it would be.
A Redbird Christmas was my church book club’s December pick, and it was unanimous (an unbelievable feat!), we all liked it. Fannie Flagg took a small, south Alabama town and made it magical. The setting is wonderful with the river, the charming town and friendly people. But it is the characters that make this story. Flagg takes lost, wounded, lonely people and places them in a family in the little town of Lost River. When asked which character was our favorite, most of our group chose Jack, the surprisingly talented red bird or cardinal that claimed the hearts of the townspeople and healed the hurts of a little girl.
Flagg also achieves something special in her storytelling. She takes ordinary people, ordinary setting and adds a twist show more of the mysterious and magical. There is a fairy tale quality to her writing that changes the everyday into something special.
If you are looking for a sweet, definitely Southern tale that will make you laugh and perhaps cry, try A Redbird Chirstmas. show less
Flagg also achieves something special in her storytelling. She takes ordinary people, ordinary setting and adds a twist show more of the mysterious and magical. There is a fairy tale quality to her writing that changes the everyday into something special.
If you are looking for a sweet, definitely Southern tale that will make you laugh and perhaps cry, try A Redbird Chirstmas. show less
This was a wonderful feel good Christmas story. Oscar Campbell heads off to Lost River Alabama for the clean warm air to help with his emphysema. He has less than a year to live according to his doctor. He ends up staying. The quirky residents in this village, the creole village across the river, the small towns near by as well as the transient farmers and their offspring all add information and enjoyment to this story. Roy, the store owner rescues a red bird that has been hit by pellets. He is surprised that the bird survives the night and he becomes a pet. Everyone in town loves Jack and when Patsy, the little crippled orphan, falls in love with Jack, magic happens. The ending is a wonderful Christmas miracle.
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Author Information
25+ Works 26,628 Members
Born on September 21, 1941, in Birmingham, Alabama, and named Patricia Neal, Fannie Flagg attended the University of Alabama, the Pittsburgh Playhouse, and the Town and Gown Theatre. Although she is best known as a novelist and screenwriter, she began her career in Birmingham, in 1964. She was an actress, comedienne, producer, and writer, first in show more Birmingham in 1964, when she was the producer of The Morning Show (WBRC-TV) and later when she was associated with such shows as Candid Camera and Harper Valley. Other works include Coming Attractions: A Wonderful Novel (1981) and the recording My Husband Doesn't Know I'm Making This Phone Call (1971). However, Flagg's greatest claim to fame came when the screenplay for the film Fried Green Tomatoes, which she, together with Jon Avnet, adapted from her novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, won an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay in 1991. She is the author several other works of fiction, including; Standing in the Rainbow, A Redbird Christmas, Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, I Still Dream about You, The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion, and The Whole Town's Talking. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A Redbird Christmas
- Original publication date
- 2004
- People/Characters
- Oswald T. Campbell; Frances Cleverdon; Betty Kitchen; Alma; Mildred; Roy Grimmitt (show all 17); Claude Underwood; Julian LaPonde; Butch "Stick" Mannich; Dottie Nivens; Jack; Patsy Casey; Tammie Suggs; Marie LaPonde; Sybil Underwood; Amelia Martinez; Sam Glickman
- Important places
- Lost River, Alabama, USA; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Alabama, USA
- Dedication
- For Joni, Kate, and Rita
- First words
- It was only November sixth but Chicago had just been hit with its second big blizzard of the season, and Mr. Oswald T. Campbell guessed he had stepped in every ice-cold ankle-deep puddle of dirty white slush it was possible t... (show all)o step in, trying to get to his appointment.
- Quotations
- Being an orphan, he had never known who he was or where he had come from. Whoever left him on the church steps that night left no clues, nothing except the basket he came in and a can of Campbell’s soup. He had no idea wh... (show all)at his real name was. Oswald was the next name on St. Joseph’s first-name list and, because of the soup, they gave him Campbell as a last name and the initial T. for Tomato, the kind he was found with. Nor did he know his nationality. But one day, when he was about twelve, a priest took a good look at his rather large nose, red hair, and small squinty blue eyes and remarked, “Campbell, if that’s not an Irish mug, I’ll eat my hat.” So Oswald guessed he was Irish. Just another piece of bad luck as far as having a problem with booze was concerned.
Oswald was feeling a little sad these days anyway. Christmas was just around the corner, and Betty was already playing Christmas carols on the radio. He supposed it put some people in a good mood, but all those “I’ll be... (show all) home for Christmas” and “There’s no place like home for the holidays” songs just made him feel lousy. For him, Christmas had always been a season with everything set up just to break your heart.
“Aw, the poor guy, he comes down to that dock waiting for the mail, and all he ever gets is some pension check from the government. The whole time he’s been here, he hasn’t received one personal letter, not even one lo... (show all)usy Christmas card.”
What they did not know was that Oswald did not expect to receive any mail. He was down at the dock every day only because he did not have anywhere else to go, except to the store and back to his room again. All he was doing was just sitting around killing time, looking at the birds and waiting to die. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Then Oswald leaned over and whispered to Frances, “Isn’t it amazing how one little bird changed so many lives?” And it was.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Epilogue: Sometimes when she walks down the street, especially around Christmastime, a redbird will fly by . . . and it always makes her smile.
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