[.ca] A Christmas Story: The Book That Inspired the Hilarious ... (ISBN 0767916220)

Unlike the movie:
The book is great, the author is great, but...if you adore the film, you just may be disappointed in the book. It has the same people and alot of the same events, but it's still not the movie we've come to love.

THE STORIES THAT INSPIRED THE MOVIE:
If you're like me, Christmas isn't Christmas unless you see this great movie at least two or three times during the holidays. Now, you can read the stories by humorist Jean Shepherd that inspired the book. While all of the stories themselves didn't actually take place during Christmas, they were all woven together to make the film. Read about Ralphies quest for the Red Ryder BB gun, about the battle with bully Grover Dill, the "Old Man" winning the leg lamp, an more. Five stories in all in this light, but funny book. It's interesting to see how the the stories were all incorporated into the movie and Shepherd himself was on the set making sure the director stayed very close to the spirit of his work. Great book.

IT WON'T SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT:
This slim collection of 5 stories by the late Jean Shepard (that was the basis for A Christmas Story) is an excellent gift for anyone who loves the holiday (or at least the movie). While not exactly like the now classic film, you can get a feel for how they were taken and molded into the annual favorite. Definitely a safer gift then a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (with it's built-in compass and sundial).

Hilarious Christmas Story Collection:
A CHRISTMAS STORY features 5 separate short stories, involving young Ralphie Parker, and his crazy family, which have been taken from Jean Shepherd's best-sellers IN GOD WE TRUST: ALL OTHERS PAY CASH and WANDA HICKEY'S NIGHT OF GOLDEN MEMORIES AND OTHER DISASTERS, as opposed to being the novelization of the movie A CHRISTMAS STORY. The 5 stories, DUEL IN THE SNOW, OR RED RYDER NAILS THE CLEVELAND STREET KID, THE COUNTERFEIT SECRET CIRCLE MEMBER GETS THE MESSAGE, OR THE ASP STRIKES AGAIN, MY OLD MAN AND THE LASCIVIOUS SPECIAL AWARD THAT HERALDED THE BIRTH OF POP ART, GROVER DILL AND THE TASMANIAN DEVIL, and THE GRANDSTAND PASSION PLAY OF DELBERT AND THE BUMPUS HOUNDS, are all some of fans favorite scenes from the movie, which include how Ralphie discovers that his Little Orphan Annie decoder ring is really an advertisement for Ovaltine, how he defends himself against the bullies, Scut Farkas and Grover Dill, and the infamous leg lamp that his father (the Old Man) wins in a contest, just to name a few. Fans of the movie A CHRISTMAS STORY, will relish in almost the exact likeness between the movie and the short stories featured in this collection. You will find yourself laughing out loud numerous times as you read about Ralphie's crazy family life, including his Old Man, Mother, younger brother, friends, family, and neighbors. A must-have this holiday season for all fans of the movie. Erika Sorocco

Great Holiday Classic:
This book really brings back a lot of memories. It's a warm look at the holidays. It has wry humor. And it makes the perfect Christmas gift. I also recommend: Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices, by John Allen