Stone crafts descriptions of fictional places so vivid that you may find yourself seeking a map to verify their existence. His characters reflect imperfections (minor to life-altering) of real people making decidedly poor choices regardless of where they may fall on one’s spectrum of “good or bad.” They are fully-realized people, many of whom a reader may recognize as snapshots of people in their own lives. Some elements of his story are gut-punching, whether reading as a parent cringing at the pain of a child being ridiculed and outcast despite his inherent kindness or as a participant in a dysfunctional relationship. There is some catharsis throughout, along with also honoring unanswered questions that are true to life. At the conclusion of the book, readers might feel seen or empathetic to those finding their way in a messy and complex life. While the wounds can run deep, they are painted with the gorgeous backdrop of Vermont and the once-whimsical Christmas Town, providing optimism and hope as indelible gifts to the reader.One person found this helpful
