A Festive Juxtaposition-bookcover

By: Paul R Stanton

A Festive Juxtaposition

Pages: 178 Ratings: 5.0
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It was Christmas Eve in the good old city of London. Everything was alive with the joyous sounds of festive exchanges; carols floated on the breeze and gently wafted across the cold waters of the river Thames. Multi-coloured lights appeared to festoon the streets in every quarter, and the fragrant heady smell of pine needles could be detected everywhere. There was nothing quite like it. It could be said that there was, in fact, magic in the air.

At that point the Devil arrived at Charing Cross station. He was dressed immaculately in an Astrakhan coat, leather gloves and patent leather shoes that were so brightly polished you could see your face in them. He sported a small black goatee beard and had features that could easily have been chiseled from stone. Smiling, he stepped out into the night. But what was his purpose for being there? Was it purely philanthropic? Or, did he have an ulterior motive up his sleeve? As the evening wore on, the good old city was about to find out.

The entertainment field has been no stranger to Paul Stanton over the years; having worked in both theatre and television. He has written numerous plays, novels and children’s books, before finally dedicating himself to what he considers to be his magnum opus: A Festive Juxtaposition. After much input it is a work Paul is finally happy with (having rewritten it a total of fifteen times) and regards it as a ‘little Christmas ditty’ that hopefully people will like and warm to.

Customer Reviews
5.0
46 reviews
46 reviews
  • AZP Reviews

    London shines differently in this book! It has a main character that is unconventional. The tales are thought-provoking and inspiring - they sing the song of compassion, retribution, and kindness that can be heard in the air as the Christmas hours progress!

    I love the wit and humor of the narratives. They are elegantly written and very lovely to listen to while reading aloud, Each tale ends on such a heartwarming note and an ease of spirit!

    A wonderful book to become a film or mini-tv series to watch, enjoy, and be inspired by during Yuletide Season!

  • J.Bartlett

    Great read. Never expected the story to pan out the way that it did. Awesome. Buy it. Read it.

  • Seth

    I picked up this book on a friend's recommendation when I was on the lookout for something new to read. I'm absolutely delighted that I did because I've been utterly engrossed in this novel from the very start. Set against the backdrop of Christmas in London, the story takes readers on a remarkable journey alongside the Devil, complete with unexpected plot twists and turns. The book offers meticulous descriptions that ensure no aspect of the story remains unexplored, making it an ideal choice for your next Christmas reading adventure. I wholeheartedly endorse this book if you're seeking an engaging festive read!

  • Paul C

    If you love London and Christmas then this is definitely worth picking up. Excellent historical knowledge of a City I thought i knew quite well but found this a useful educational tool. An interesting twist on the Devil character that is quite original and thought provoking. An enjoyable read with many connecting stories full of mystery and intrigue that will leave the reader wanting more. Look forward to the next instalment.
    Paul C

  • Misfits Farm

    A stunningly beautifully written book that grabbed me from the outset. “The gentle snowflakes flurried, eddied and whirled, dancing in their oddly curious coruscation, before finally descending to earth where their individuality was lost amongst their earlier brethren” Wow- magical!
    This is a book with a winter/seasonal theme that is truly enchanting, set on Christmas eve in the city of London. The main character is the Devil and he doesn’t behave quite as one would expect, I can't give too much away for fear of spoiling it. Each chapter Nick meets new people so is almost a story each time. This blew me away, I'll try and explain. There are subliminal messages in each story, and maybe ones that touch each reader- they certainly did me and then that ending… got it, wow! It's a story of hope and enlightenment, of being kind and how the little things can make a world of difference to someone. This has to be one of my books of the year. It's breathtakingly beautiful, in a way I can't explain until you’ve read it. A perfect winter read and a wonderful Christmas gift. Stunning doesn’t do this justice.

  • Snowie

    Amazing books, easy to read and most importantly it's page turner. Author described everything in a very simple and interesting way, so far I really loved the book. Story and plot is superb, I'll recommend you all to read this underrated book.

  • Lisa V.

    I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I had no idea what to expect when a devil appeared on Christmas Eve, but the stories captivated me from the very first page. The characters were well-developed, the plot was engaging, and the overall writing style was both elegant and accessible. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

  • Anne Brooke

    This book is a dark, Dickensian and charmingly dangerous series of linked short stories which is held together by the ultimate anti-hero of the Devil himself. The first line is fabulous and drew me into the whole enigmatic irony of this book. The action takes place entirely during Christmas Eve and the Devil is a droll and stylish figure whose thoughts and actions turn the seasonal magic upside down into something far more gripping.

    The character of London itself is also a major part of the story - I loved revisiting areas of the city that are familiar to me and also learning some things I definitely didn't know. Each separate story focuses on a person (or a group of people) in need and how the Devil interacts with them, both in ultimately good and occasionally ultimately tragic ways. There's a clever use of time-play in the second half which adds to the short story format and shows how the Devil's input has changed society for the good over the course of history - which is a nice twist I really enjoyed. At the very end, we also get the chance to see how the people who have interacted with our anti-hero on this magical night of the year have changed as a result of their encounter, and that made for a very satisfying finale.

    This book is steeped in the grime and glory of the city of London and also in the grime and glory of its people. It's odd, quirky, dangerous, dark and ultimately very uplifting. I loved it. Highly recommended.

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