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I love trains. Whether it's hopping on Amtrak from New York to DC or riding a scenic steam railway through bucolic landscape. I have long dreamt of traveling cross-country on a train, reading through a stack of books, meeting people in the club car, and watching the small towns of America from behind the large windows of an observation car. Planes imply rush, pressure, business. Trains inspire dreaming and leisure.
An equal fascination for me is classic movies, particularly Hitchcock, and anything laced with old-fashioned romance.
Knowing this, you will understand why I loved THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN. Here David Baldacci, the bestselling author of ABSOLUTE POWER and WISH YOU WELL, has written a story that takes readers on a journey full of memorable --- and very witty --- characters, and a set of challenges that will keep readers saying, "just one more chapter." (For this reason, I do not recommend reading this while the holiday cookies are in the oven, unless you are prepared to make a second batch when the first burns.) It's a real slice of Americana with all the holiday trimmings. Of course, the book would not be Baldacci without a measure of suspense in there for good measure.
Here's the plot. Tom Langdon, a world-traveled journalist, must go from Washington to L.A. for the holidays. Due to a "falling out" with the FAA over a "small airport security issue," he is relegated to train travel for this trip. To make the most of it, he has gotten a magazine assignment writing about trains and the romance of train travel. His story will take him on both The Capitol Limited from D.C. to Chicago and The Southwest Chief from Chicago to L.A.
Once on board he encounters another passenger who will make this journey into one of the heart, as well as one of the spirit. He'll also encounter a number of people who will remind him of the true meaning of the holiday.
Baldacci --- who I have had the pleasure to meet on more than one occasion --- also can be wickedly funny. When he tells a story as he does here, often you are often surprised to discover he's set up a joke. When Tom envisions a sleeper car out of North by Northwest --- complete with all the luxurious trappings and, of course, the romance of Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint --- readers are drawn into his story. Instead what does Tom find? A smalled cramped sleeper space and cabin neighbor named Agnes Joe, who is anything but "sensuously nubile."
The whole story slides on like that with scene after scene where all is not what it is supposed to be, right up to the final pages. There are enough screwball escapades to make you groan, and enough storyline to make you say, "how nice." I dare you to not want to cast the movie as you read!
I can picture people curling up with this one while the wrapping and ribbons are still on the floor, and letting themselves escape for a few hours.
If you want to give more than a book, here are some gift suggestions to pair with this: a train, a train ticket or a Mark Twain title (for the reason for the last suggestion, you'll have to read for yourself!)
--- Reviewed by Carol Fitzgerald
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