This is the perfect Christmas gift, for those in search of such. As David Marcus says in his introduction, here are gathered all the appurtenances associated with the festival: "Parties, presents, Santa Claus, forgotten friends, lost relatives, reunions, nostalgia . . ." And what is more, they are written about by experts. Of the older crowd, much satisfaction is to be gained from the work of Frank O'Connor, Sean O'Faolain, Lynn Doyle, Francis MacManus, Elizabeth Bowen and, especially, Benedict Kiely - eternally young in the wonder of his imagination. The younger crowd are well represented also, by such as Brian Leyden, Colum McCann and Hugo Hamilton, while practised professionals such as Maeve Binchy, Clare Boylan and William Trevor come up trumps as usual. Ideal reading for Christmas Day, to fill the hiatus after the post-prandial nap.
Vincent Banville