It is Christmastime, and I am rereading my favorite Christmas book, “A Redbird Christmas.” I remember Fannie Flagg on the WBRC-TV Morning Show in the 60s. After being refused a raise she quit her job and moved to New York City. Flagg has written several novels including “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe,” “Welcome to the World, Baby Girl,” “Standing in the Rainbow,” “Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven,” “The Whole Town’s Talking” and my all-time favorite, “The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion.”
While I find most “Christmas reads” contrived, “A Redbird Christmas” quietly warms your heart and makes you laugh at the same time. It starts so simple with an elderly man facing a devastating diagnosis, a small town in south Alabama and a redbird named Jack who everyone in town loves. But soon, Flagg weaves together a story of grief, friendship, loneliness and second chances. It is also about child abuse, but it is more about the community that envelopes the child with love and compassion. “A Redbird Christmas” is quick read, but it will stay with you for a lifetime.
Oswald T. Campbell has just been told by his doctor that his health is so bad he that this is probably his last Christmas. The doctor advises him to move from Chicago and head to a warmer place without air pollution. Oswald takes a brochure from the doctor about a place in south Alabama that promises a warmer climate and clean air.
After calling the number in Lost River, Alabama, he receives an invitation to come down. He is offered a room to rent that includes his meals. He catches a bus to Mobile and is picked up by a resident of Lost River. Oswald is wary of how friendly the residents are but soon makes friends. His day consists of rising early, eating a hearty breakfast followed by a walk either to the river or to the country store to visit with the other residents and an injured redbird named Jack.
The town has a lot of eccentric, but kind, characters. There is Roy the country store owner, who rescued Jack and nursed him back to health. There are many little old ladies who belong to a secret society who are always playing matchmaker. A little girl with a deformed foot shows up at the country store and is fascinated by Jack. Roy lets Patsy visit Jack every day. The town makes sure she is fed and cared for while visiting Jack at the store. The town would like to do more for Patsy but are not sure how to help her.
“A Redbird Christmas” is not really about a redbird or about Christmas. It is about man who has given up on life who moves to a community that gives him a reason to live. It is a story of friendship, love, second chances and redemption. Y’all, this is a great book. Do yourself a favor and read it!
Learn more about Fannie Flagg at www.goodreads.com/author/show/6125.Fannie_Flagg.
