THE SAINTMAKER'S CHRISTMAS EVE

by Paul Horgan ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 5, 1955

This is the third of Paul Horgan's small miracle tales, and, in this reader's opinion, the least successful of the three. The Devil in the Desert introduced a very sympathetic and appealing character in the old priest who could not yield his right to take the faith to his desert people. One Red Rose for Christmas was a fable of the miracle of love. (And both were priced in accordance with their small gift book-plus sale- value.) Now comes this third- and it is difficult to warm up to the prickly ageing itinerant missionary priest, who destroys as he builds the people's receptivity to his message. Only in the Castillo brothers has he left a spark. They were clever with their hands, and out of this gift which he fostered, they created a little business in the making and selling of saints. This story revolves around Roberto's experience on Christmas Eve, as he lost his way in a storm, while taking a St. Christopher to an isolated village. And of the miraculous appearance of the Saint. And then of the meeting again with the old priest, who too had been led by St. Christopher- and gained that vision for which he had yearned in vain. The story has charm- but lacks warmth. And at $2.75 it seems to need something more to achieve that word of mouth publicity needed for a book of this type.

Pub Date: Dec. 5, 1955

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1955

Categories: FICTION