A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig was just the PERFECT audiobook to put me in a cheerful, Christmas sort of mood. I am so glad that I downloaded it on a whim from Volumes. It’s the sort of audiobook that is good for the whole family. It’s one that I could really see being developed into a movie or a TV special — and I mean this in a very positive way.
Matt Haig’s A Boy Called Christmas is about how a young boy named Nikolas came to be the man we all know as Santa Claus. So, Nikolas has never really had many toys in his life — only a doll carved out of a turnip. He loved that doll because his mother gave it to him. Now, however, his mother is dead. He loves his father deeply though. Yet, his father leaves him to join a search to prove the existence of Elves and this place called Elfhelm. Nikolas’s aunt Carlotta comes and stays with him and she’s the worst. So, eventually Nikolas goes on a journey to find his dad — all the way to the North Pole. Along the way he meets with a reindeer (Blitzen) and does find the elves. We truly get a full origin story from Haig.
As you can tell, I really loved A Boy Called Christmas. I found myself thinking as I listened to it, that this would be a book that I will eventually purchase for my son and place under the tree. Although some parts of this book are a bit immature for my taste (reindeer pissing on people), I did think it felt timeless. I think the appeal for children is there too. Of course, I imagine that a little boy or girl will find the reindeer thing really funny — and that’s who this is written for, children.
The audiobook of A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig is narrated by Stephen Fry. Fry is the actual ideal narrator for this audiobook. His voice has that formal sort of feel. It sounds almost classic, in a sense. He’s got a great sense of pace and character. The audiobook manages to feel exactly the right length and never overlong or boring. I find myself torn between gifting a physical copy or the audiobook – as the audiobook is flawless.
On a scale of one to Buddy The Elf, how much Christmas spirit does this book have?
This book 100% embodies a Buddy The Elf like spirit. After reading, you can genuinely yell SANTA I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM! As you will know his full origin story. Also, there’s plenty of elves, reindeer and the tradition of presents to go around. I truly think this is bound to be a new Christmas classic and it’s only a matter of time before we see a film version of A Boy Called Christmas.
Other reviews of A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig:
- Bananas For Books – “perfect for the holidays“
- Picture Books To YA – “captures all the magic of Christmas“
- Glorious Panic -Â “I can easily see this becoming a family tradition“
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My copy of this book arrived today! Just in time for Christmas!
Awww! This sounds perfect!! It’s definitely going on my Christmas reads list, probably won’t get to it until next year though.
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