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  • A Boy Called Christmas

  • By: Matt Haig
  • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
  • Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,706 ratings)
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A Boy Called Christmas cover art

A Boy Called Christmas

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
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Summary

The first magical book in Matt Haig's festive series - now a major new film!

You are about to listen to the true story of Father Christmas.

If you believe that some things are impossible, you should stop considering listening right away. Because this audiobook is full of impossible things. Are you still there? Good.

Then let us begin....

A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow and an 11-year-old boy called Nikolas who isn't afraid to believe in magic.

From the winner of the Smarties Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book award. With illustrations by Chris Mould.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2015 Matt Haig (P)2016 Canongate Books

What listeners say about A Boy Called Christmas

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Amazingly depressing!

What would have made A Boy Called Christmas better?

The story is really, really nasty. From the cover picture and some of the reviews i expected a nice fun Christmasey story but it's not at all. The whole thing is a series of really, REALLY depressing and actually upsetting events. Once I started listening I thought it might be like a fairy story which starts off sad but then gets happy as the protagonist meets new people but if anything it gets worse. I struggled through two thirds until I gave up.

What could Matt Haig have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Completely changed the story into what it looks like on the front cover and from the blurb. Obviously lots of reviewers liked the book and I can see that it's pretty well written but it should be better reflected in the cover and description. I definitely wouldn't have bought it if I had realised it was full of really horrible stuff.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I didn't enjoy it at all.

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38 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A lovely Christmas story

So how did Father Christmas get to be who we know today, this story answers that question. Suitable for pretty much any age. Youngsters will appreciate the flying reindeer who lives to pee on people and adults will love a well told, and well read, tale

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Delightful

What a wonderful way to cheer up a dreary commute. The kid in me enjoyed every minute of this. Merry Christmas 😀

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A christmas cracker

A wonderful story filled with adventure and humour. Stephen Fry's narration brings it to life too!

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Mixed

A slow and very depressing start.
Some jeopardy picked up the pace in the middle, but the plot continued to be bleak and miserable. Themes of loss, stupidity and cruelty...
I was not enjoying anything about this, other than Fry's dulcet tones.

Only in the last third/quarter of the story does some happiness come into the story.
The redemption is a big relief by that stage, but it really comes too late much too late. Not well plotted.

There is a satisfyingly happy ending, at least.
For children aged around 9+, I guess, due to the seriousness of the heavy themes.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A new Christmas tradition

Fabulous. This may become a Christmas tradition! Had all 4 of us hooked. (Parents as well as children.)

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great.

the narrator was really good. it is exciting when he says it because he makes it feel like it is actually happening to me. I loved the story because even though magic isn't real you can really think about it and it can be magic. from LP 6 years old.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

strange

I enjoyed the story but it was a bit darker and weirder than I thought it'd be

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Grrrrreat story, wished there were loads more...

My kids loved this book. I wouldn't know as I fell asleep.
My daughter "liked the story of how Nicholas became father Christmas,"
My son said "some bits were very sad like the dad dying and the kidnapping"

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

lovely

This is a lovely book, quite emotional and sad but wonderful too.
Stephen Fry was perfect for the naration.

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4 people found this helpful