Mr. Ives' Christmas ~ Oscar Hijuelos. Stated 1st printing! 1995 HbDj in MELB

Description: Hijuelos' novel tells the story of Mr. Ives, who was adopted from a foundling's home as a child. When we first meet him in the 1950s, Mr. Ives is very much a product of his time. He has a successful career in advertising, a wife and two children, and believes he is on his way to pursuing the typical American dream. But the dream is shattered when his son Robert, who is studying for the priesthood, is killed violently at Christmas. Overwhelmed by grief and threatened by a loss of faith in humankind, Mr. Ives begins to question the very foundations of his life. Part love story—of a man for his wife, for his children, for God—and part meditation on how a person can find spiritual peace in the midst of crisis, Mr. Ives' Christmas is a beautifully written, tender and passionate story of a man trying to put his life in perspective. In the expert hands of Oscar Hijuelos, the novel speaks eloquently to the most basic and fulfilling aspects of life for all of us.About the AuthorOscar Hijuelos (born August 24, 1951) is an American novelist. He is the first Hispanic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Hijuelos was born in New York City, in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, to Cuban immigrant parents. He attended the Corpus Christi School, public schools, and later attended Bronx Community College, Lehman College, and Manhattan Community College before matriculating into and studying writing at the City College of New York (B.A., 1975; M.A. in Creative Writing, 1976). He then practiced various professions before taking up writing full time. His first novel, Our House in the Last World, was published in 1983 and received the 1985 Rome Prize, awarded by the American Academy in Rome. His second novel, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, received the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It was adapted for the film The Mambo Kings in 1992 and as a Broadway musical in 2005. Hijuelos has taught at Hofstra University and is currently affiliated with Duke University, where he is a member of the faculty of the Department of English.Very Interesting read!ReviewsSPEECHLESS .... For the second time in my life I am speechless, not merely because of Hijuelos's superb book, which stirs up every possible emotion, but for other reasons, as well. I just read Steve Sckenda's review, and am so stricken by his loss, which resonates with mine, that it is impossible for me to add anything further. I know how Steve felt when he found his wife murdered, and I can only imagine how he must endure living with that horror on a daily basis. Both Mr. Ives and Steve have similar stories in that they both dealt with a loved one who was murdered. My story deals with finding my mother dead, but through natural causes. The only similarity is the shock of finding her cold, rigid, body, the memory of which keeps replaying in my mind throughout the years. This book will speak to anyone who has lost a loved one, particularly through a violent act or through a sudden, unexpected death. Rest in peace, Mr. Ives' son, Robert, Steve Sckenda's blonde angel, and my beloved mom.So many emotions!! ... Mr. Ives’ Christmas is both heartbreaking and heartwarming story told during various Christmases throughout Mr. Ives life. It is a book about love, loss, faith, and forgiveness. It had me questioning my own beliefs about certain issues and understanding.FIVE STARS!! ... Very rarely in a book does one find a credible balance of realism and compassion, evil and goodness, brokenness and healing, despair and hope.Magnificent!! ... Mr. Ives’ Christmas has been on my tbr list for a couple of years now to include in my annual December Christmas-themed reads. I knew going in that this was not a “Christmas book” per se from the reviews I’ve read, but what I did not know going in was how deeply this story of Mr. Ives’ life would affect me, would touch me to the core. I think this will come in as my favorite read of 2017, squeaking in at the 11th hour! Hijuelo’s writing was masterful! He tells you the framework of the whole of Edward Ives’ life in the first twelve pages of the book, including that his son, Robert, was murdered when he was 17 and about to go off to seminary to become a Catholic priest. And then, in the next 236 pages, Hijuelo fills in the details of Ives’ life in looping, non-linear fashion so that we come to know him and the other important figures in his life intimately. From a young age, Ives’, a foundling adopted by a generous and kind widower, was a devout Catholic, but also a spiritual seeker, a seeker of identity and a person who ultimately questions his guiding principles after his faith is shaken by his son’s death. I came to love Edward Ives’, his wife Annie, his daughter Caroline, his best friend Luis – they and the other people who populated the book were fully realized, as if you knew them. I did not want this book to end, but end it did and left me with tears in my eyes and much to ponder about my own life, my own faith and guiding principles. That New York City was as much a character in this book also delighted me, and I don’t think this story could have taken place anywhere else, nor at a different time. Hijuelos brilliantly unfolds the good, the bad and the ugly of New York City in the Mid 20th Century through the lens of Ives’ life story. One other note: this was a beautifully designed hardcover book. It was a joy to hold and behold, as well as to read. I’m sad that Hijuelos died at such a young age. Sometimes bad things happen to good people....BIt did in this book and it did in real life with Steve. Look at what happened in San Bernadino just a few days ago. It could happen to me, to you. This beautiful world has an element of chaos, perhaps madness, that can be devastating and knock you all the way down. So how does one come to terms with losing the love of your life and cope with the sheer senselessness of it all? Mr. Ives' Christmas tackles this subject. And so Mr. Ives' life has changed forever when his son's life was taken. His mind replays and revisits the event over and over. He has tremendous support from his family and friends, but it doesn't truly heal his broken heart. And so this book is an inward journey which eventually leads to a shift and a path towards healing.It's a well written book and one which one can relate to. It's not depressing or a book to avoid. Quite the contrary. It shows the high road, the low road. It shows how the mind works and how a shift can occur. Mr. Ives' mind had him thinking so much about the loss of his son, that the good memories and happy times didn't have much of a chance to come through and it took a toll on him. But then a crack appears and it's enough to start on a different path. Oh, this is an excellent book.Thank you Steve. I know you're on a good path. There's so much to learn here.Marvellous Reading! WHY do ebayers buy from US?Because you KNOW what you're getting. My close up photos are of the actual item & form part of my description!! POSTAGE IS $9.90 WITHIN AUSTRALIAWe pack your books with care - using secure, lightweight, waterproof packaging to ensure that they are well protected in transit.*All items will be shipped within 3 business days of receipt of payment. Payment can be made by Direct Deposit Bank Transfer or Paypal. Check out my other items- *Buyer to make contact within 3 days of auction end and payment within 5 days. *Cash on pick up is fine. *Bank deposit & PAYPAL available. *Any questions? 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