Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this Christmas: planning the greatest holiday ever and her youngest son's football game. But when she's asked to sub for the school mascot in a fish costume, organize the annual church tea, and cope with children who can't come home, will it take a miracle to restore her cheer?
Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot—the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas tea. When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one her children tell her they can’t come home for Christmas. As life starts to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by amydeanne (canada), November 17, 2009
First, I will admit, it’s a bit different than Susan’s usual style. I was delighted and surprised with this book.
Susan does a great job at making her characters come to life. There are moments I was in tears and moments I laughed out loud. It was also inspirational. I really felt like I got something out of it. The mother in me could really relate to Marianne. The emotions, the feelings of being torn about Christmas because of how it changes over the years.
Anyhow, The great Christmas Bowl does not disappoint. You’ll be enchanted with Susan's new book and fall in love with it. (I’m hoping that maybe there will be future books with her new characters??? hint hint —– if you’re reading this!)
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Holly (Dsicvoery Bay,Ca), November 04, 2009
Maybe it's me..but I had a hard time getting into it as I do not like football,and it seems even though there were good morals and lessons expressed in the book,it is mainly about football things,so I couldn't identify.I did like the ending..but it seemed tedious at times to get though the book,although the recipe for clam chowder seems worth trying.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michelle Sutton (AZ), October 12, 2009
Normally I skip over holiday-themed books. They just don't do much for me. But Susan May Warren is an author that typically entertains as well as encourages me. I knew that any story she'd write about the holidays would be funny and realistic. So I tried this story and I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't sappy or goofy. Rather, it was hilariously cute and a bit sentimental, but in a good way. I loved the trout theme and the motherly sentiment and reflection. I could totally see Susan's personality in this story, and I loved how it was written in the witty and charming style of her Josie series. One thing I particularly enjoyed was how the mother realized that God had somehow matured her grown children by story's end. She instilled in them the value of giving and the Lord did the work in their hearts. My two sons are almost finished with high school and they are a lot like Kevin. Her relationship with her son made me smile because it looks so similar to mine.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah (Reston, VA), September 29, 2009
This is probably one of the best Christmas novellas I've ever read. Yes it's short, but it gets to the point and it's sweet and funny and it totally gets you in the mood for Christmas. The way the book started, I was worried that it would fall in the trap of moms who find themselves empty nesters and make everyone else feel sorry for them. The other potential overused storyline trap would be a mom who does too much for everyone else because she can't say no and has a weak backbone. However instead I read about a mom who loves her kids and will do anything for them including potentially humiliating herself in front of the whole town. Would you (or your mom) dress up as what could possibly be the worst mascot of all time, a trout? I love reading about Marianne's adventures as as fish, from starting out being self conscious and scaring kids to just hamming it up in front of the crowd. She obviously love her kids very much and I did feel sorry for her when they didn't come home from the holidays. It made me think about how next time, I should give my parents at least some notice if I can't make it for the holidays.
Plus there's a yummy clam chowder recipe featured in the story and as a huge clam chowder fan I swooned. The recipe is included so you can try it out for yourself. If you're itching to get into the Christmas mood now, this book is perfect for you. It packs a lot of punch for a short story but by the end you'll clearly get the point. Along the way, it'll bring a lot of laughs, a lot of love, and a lot of trout.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sally (Odessa, FL), September 27, 2009
This charming, feel-good Christmas novella reads quickly. I completed it in one twenty-four hour period and found it filled with humor, wrapped with good common sense. Scenes such as when Mike walks in on Marianne as she struggles to wiggle out of her trout suit gave me a chuckle.
Christmas hospitality is the theme. A quote I liked enough to copy states,"Christmas isn't just one place and one way" (108). If you choose to read it, it'll help put you in the holiday mood.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by MJ @ Creative Madness (Porterdale, GA), September 24, 2009
I do not know whether to consider this a novel or a short story at less than 200 pages, but no matter what category it fits in, it fits under the title of Fabulous! In starting the book, knowing that it was about a woman with five children practically grown, I was unsure that it would be for me as I am a new mom of an 8 week old. I highly doubted that I could relate to someone with so much experience and was uncertain if I would enjoy the read. Yet I love Susie's writing and could not turn it down. Oh my am I glad that I read this! It is an eye opener and even in such a short page amount one can really find some introspective.
The book is full of humor and real life. What I love about this story is that everything that happens one can imagine and relate to in some manner or another. This is a novel about family and the true meaning of Christmas spirit through hospitality. Each page contains humor and a little bit of sad truth of life yet even more joy and reasons for things we are capable of doing. I highly recommend this read for everyone this Christmas season and suggest that you share it with your friends as well. This is one that will not leave you too quickly. I'm so glad Susie decided to publish it.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christy Lockstein (Oconto Falls, WIsconsin), September 24, 2009
The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren is everything that a holiday novella should be! Marianne Walker lives for Christmas when her children are all home and they fulfill the traditions they've spent a lifetime building. But this year promises to be a bit different: her youngest son, Kevin, has made the high school football team which is on its way to the state championships, her husband, Mike, volunteers her to the the church's hospitality chairman which puts her in charge of the annual Christmas Tea, and one by one, her children start to cancel on her plans for Christmas. When Kevin volunteers her to serve as the team mascot, a trout, she has two choices: go into it with anger and bitterness or embrace the role. Lucky for Big Lake, Minnesota, and the reader, she embraces it, making for plenty of hilarious pratfalls. Only a Scrooge could make it through the last couple of chapters without tearing up! Most holiday novellas, go for sentiment or a message over content, but Warren shoots right for the heart with humor and faith. She keeps it true by remembering the reason for the season, but also by creating a real character in Marianne.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginny (Salt Lake City, UT), September 24, 2009
I enjoyed this book so much! And not just because the author is a friend; she also happens to be a terrific, award-winning writer, and The Great Christmas Bowl is as good as I expected it to be.
Marianne’s children are growing up, and she knows her family’s life is changing. But she wants the changes to hold off for just one more Christmas, so she can enjoy a holiday rich with all the family traditions she’s established through the years. And is it too much to also ask that her youngest son’s football team win the state championship? Nothing goes according to Marianne’s plans, either on the field or off. Just as often happens in real life, God’s plans are different from Marianne’s. Or are they?
Susan May Warren scores a touchdown with The Great Christmas Bowl. If you love football, or Christmas, or family stories, or good writing, or just plain having fun, you’re going to love this book. (Have I covered everyone?) Let this be the first Christmas book you read this year, and it will usher you into the holiday season with a laugh, and leave a glow warm enough to last all year.
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