Father Christmas and Me by Matt Haig is the third book in the Christmas trilogy and the last book I’ll be reviewing this year. It follows the journey of Amelia Wishart, who is the adoptive child of Father Christmas and his spouse, Mary Christmas (whom you might also know as Mother Christmas); you might remember her from the previous book. I assume it’s common knowledge that growing up as a human in Elfhelm and going to Elf School is quite a challenge; and one of the worst things is failing to find your place. However, the adventures she goes on and the difficulties she faces when trying to find her purpose become even more challenging once the jealous Easter Bunny launches an attack and jeopardises Christmas. Saving Christmas is “up to Amelia, her new family and the elves. Before it’s too late”.
Matt Haig did it again, he wrote another story to warm the hearts of his readers. Following the pattern of the other two books, this novel is also implies finding one’s true value and saving Christmas. Amelia is now a teenager surrounded with very productive elves, she’s struggling with self doubt provoked by her difficulties in becoming one of them. Obviously as a human she fails to fulfil tasks and duties specifically designed for small hands and magical creatures. However, not only Father Christmas’ daughter feels miserable, but Father Vodol as well, and he really despises Father Christmas, reason for which he asks the Easter Bunny to help him boycott Christmas. The characters, as usually, are very well rounded and some of them you either hate with a burning passion or love. Conveying the true meaning of Christmas, the novel teaches its readers that true magic lies in kindness, acceptance and generosity.
If anyone struggling to find a little bit of joy and the magic of holidays, this is the perfect read to bring back all the feelings. As I wrote on Goodreads last year when I read it, it’s ending nearly put tears in my eyes, not because it was sad, but rather wholesome. Father Christmas and Me is truly magical and Christmassy book one must include in their holiday readings (and the entire series as well). These being said, I’d like to wish those celebrating happy holidays, and happiest of times to everyone. Never forget that “an impossibility is just a possibility you don’t understand yet”.
Title: Father Christmas and Me
Author: Matt Haig
Illustrations: Chris Mould
Publication Date: 2018
Publisher: Harper Collins
Format: Hardcover|304
Török J. Sándor 