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The Little City of Hope: A Christmas Story
An inspiring novel about a struggling inventor and his family in turn-of-the-century New England.
A man sits in his modest, rundown house in Connecticut, missing his wife, who is working overseas as a governess to make money for the family. But he does have the companionship of his son, who supports him in his dreams of success as an inventor.
As Christmas draws near, their spirits are low—until the two begin working together on a model of a city, built with simple scraps, that leads them to a new place of hope . . .
This tale, first published in 1907, has become a cherished classic—and makes for a wonderful holiday read about life’s truest gifts.
A man sits in his modest, rundown house in Connecticut, missing his wife, who is working overseas as a governess to make money for the family. But he does have the companionship of his son, who supports him in his dreams of success as an inventor.
As Christmas draws near, their spirits are low—until the two begin working together on a model of a city, built with simple scraps, that leads them to a new place of hope . . .
This tale, first published in 1907, has become a cherished classic—and makes for a wonderful holiday read about life’s truest gifts.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1907
About the author
F. Marion Crawford
1,187 books81 followersFrancis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was an American writer noted for his many novels. He was born at Bagni di Lucca, Italy. In 1879 he went to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Returning to America he continued to study Sanskrit at Harvard University for a year, contributed to various periodicals, and in 1882 produced his first novel, Mr Isaacs. This book had an immediate success, and its author's promise was confirmed by the publication of Doctor Claudius: A True Story (1883). After a brief residence in New York and Boston, in 1883 he returned to Italy, where he made his permanent home. He also published the historical works, Ave Roma Immortalis (1898), Rulers of the South (1900) renamed Sicily, Calabria and Malta in 1904, and Gleanings from Venetian History (1905). The Saracinesca series is perhaps known to be his best work, with the third in the series, Don Orsino, set against the background of a real estate bubble, told with effective concision. A fourth book in the series, Corleone, was the first major treatment of the Mafia in literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 3, 2022
4.5 stars rounded to 4 stars
This novelette, first published in 1907, takes us on a rocky December journey with inventor John Henry Overholt and his 13-year-old son Newton. The Overholts, including wife/mother Helen
Overholt, once lived a comfortable life but are now struggling for survival. In fact, Helen reluctantly had to leave her own family to seek work as a governess for another mother's children. John Henry has put all his eggs in one basket and that basket appears to be empty. Son Newton is a joy and stands by his father. He does his best to do what he can to help John Henry, including sacrificing those things he loves best. What the world would be like if all young teenagers were like Newton! While John Henry works tirelessly at trying to save his latest invention from the scrap pile, young Newton is busy constructing a model of "The Little City of Hope", a project John Henry starts to find interest in as well.
I loved the characters of this little family and their utter faith and hope in each other. I highly recommend this poignant tale be read in front of a fire with a cat on the lap and a cup of hot cocoa in hand.
This novelette, first published in 1907, takes us on a rocky December journey with inventor John Henry Overholt and his 13-year-old son Newton. The Overholts, including wife/mother Helen
Overholt, once lived a comfortable life but are now struggling for survival. In fact, Helen reluctantly had to leave her own family to seek work as a governess for another mother's children. John Henry has put all his eggs in one basket and that basket appears to be empty. Son Newton is a joy and stands by his father. He does his best to do what he can to help John Henry, including sacrificing those things he loves best. What the world would be like if all young teenagers were like Newton! While John Henry works tirelessly at trying to save his latest invention from the scrap pile, young Newton is busy constructing a model of "The Little City of Hope", a project John Henry starts to find interest in as well.
I loved the characters of this little family and their utter faith and hope in each other. I highly recommend this poignant tale be read in front of a fire with a cat on the lap and a cup of hot cocoa in hand.
December 6, 2022
"Hope is very cheap. There's always plenty of it about."
Normally, I don't include quotes in my reviews, but this seemed fitting. I went into this story without much expectation. To be honest, I'd never even heard of this book before shelving it. After closing it for the last time, I was left smiling and, for lack of a better word, hopeful. This is a story of sacrifice, family, determination, struggle, and miracles. A father and son overcoming obstacles and holding onto the hope for a better future. Very admirable characters.
My dislikes are few. I had to stop and restart about 30% of the way through after putting this aside for too long due to so many other books taking priority.
Giving this a 4.5 rating. Truly a Christmas classic and one that I recommend over The Gift of the Magi
Normally, I don't include quotes in my reviews, but this seemed fitting. I went into this story without much expectation. To be honest, I'd never even heard of this book before shelving it. After closing it for the last time, I was left smiling and, for lack of a better word, hopeful. This is a story of sacrifice, family, determination, struggle, and miracles. A father and son overcoming obstacles and holding onto the hope for a better future. Very admirable characters.
My dislikes are few. I had to stop and restart about 30% of the way through after putting this aside for too long due to so many other books taking priority.
Giving this a 4.5 rating. Truly a Christmas classic and one that I recommend over The Gift of the Magi
December 21, 2018
A really sweet, well-written short story (around novelette length) about a struggling inventor trying to make ends meet in the weeks leading up till Christmas and avoid bankruptcy before he can finish his prize invention, with the help of his plucky thirteen-year-old son. I really enjoyed this one!
November 20, 2023
Very good story about an inventor that lost his hope. He used to have a job at the university that was a modest living for his family. But when he had an idea for an invention, he quit the job to work on it full-time. The story begins most of the way through the process when he has repeated requests for additional funding from investors. He feels he is so close to a breakthrough. His wife has gone overseas to help with finances working as a governess. So it is just him and his 13 year old son.
The story has a beautiful message and a HEA. But I felt like last part just drug on too much. Could have been consolidated into at least 1/2. Still I recommend this novella for the Christmas season.
The story has a beautiful message and a HEA. But I felt like last part just drug on too much. Could have been consolidated into at least 1/2. Still I recommend this novella for the Christmas season.
December 4, 2020
This is a cozy short Christmas story. It was a heartwarming tale of a father and son and their relationship during a difficult time. It was an easy read, but at times the story seems to get lost in the details.
December 23, 2023
Hope
A true Christmas story that makes your heart happy! A story
of poverty, hardship, sacrifice , goodwill and most importantly hope!
A true Christmas story that makes your heart happy! A story
of poverty, hardship, sacrifice , goodwill and most importantly hope!
December 31, 2023
This is a really interesting little story. Not at all what I expected, and I was skeptical of some of the details at first, but I ended up really glad to have read it. Faith and. hope do overcome the challenges we face if we hold on to them long enough.
December 26, 2021
Starting this book, the ending seems certain...then the troubles are defined and get worse and the expected ending seems impossible. The author gets to the ending, but the reading does put the reader on the edge anxious to see how on earth that will happen.
Characters are a bit looser written than I'd like. The young teen is barely described despite extensive observations of his abilities otherwise. Never got a clear understanding of him. Similar with the mostly missing wife. Stronger character descriptions would've helped.
The writing is very good. A number of points of philophical introspection that makes the reading well worth the time. Acknowledging that 'Hope' can be more enemy than help. That doctor's state 'Not to worry' to one "to be hanged the next morning" are truths many ignore. Especially today.
Still...
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.
A drawback is repetitive narrative that could have been edited out.
Characters are a bit looser written than I'd like. The young teen is barely described despite extensive observations of his abilities otherwise. Never got a clear understanding of him. Similar with the mostly missing wife. Stronger character descriptions would've helped.
The writing is very good. A number of points of philophical introspection that makes the reading well worth the time. Acknowledging that 'Hope' can be more enemy than help. That doctor's state 'Not to worry' to one "to be hanged the next morning" are truths many ignore. Especially today.
Still...
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.
A drawback is repetitive narrative that could have been edited out.
December 17, 2021
THE LITTLE CITY OF HOPE is a somewhat typical, and heartwarming, tale of love and sacrifice culminating on Christmas Day. This rather intriguing story of a mathematician turned inventor and his son facing a truly woebegone Christmas day. Father and son bond when all hope is lost bolstering each other's activities. Father is long-working on an incredible motor, and son has been creating a replica of the college town in which they both lived. Mother fed her husband's dream by going off to work as a governess for a rich family.
As I was reading, I fully expected this to be a story like O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," and it does come quite close without a similar ending.
Although this could be a work of speculative fiction, it is a wonderful holiday story that makes for a fine read.
As I was reading, I fully expected this to be a story like O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," and it does come quite close without a similar ending.
Although this could be a work of speculative fiction, it is a wonderful holiday story that makes for a fine read.
December 21, 2021
THE LITTLE CITY OF HOPE: A CHRISTMAS STORY by F. Marion Crawford -- I've added several Christmas stories to my year-end reading, this being one. First published in 1864, it's a short read but most enjoyable. A father is a frustrated inventor, former college teacher, seeking the one breakthrough to take the family out of poverty. The 11-year-old son struggles with him, sacrificing himself to support his father's efforts. Wife and mother has gone to Europe as a nanny with a rich family to earn money. The family struggles through difficult conditions, each supporting the effort in his or her own way, to a final Christmas conclusion. Like Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, gather the kids and read it together. It's a gem.
December 16, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The last of my “short reads” for 2024. The Little City of Hope is a novella of 90 odd pages first published in 1907. A sweet Christmas story about an inventor and his son. He has a wife too, but she has left to be a governess to a wealthy family for a short period of time. The inventor left his good teaching job at the college to follow his dream, inventing some new fangled
“Air-Motor”. Mrs. Inventor is helping out financially.
Of course it’s December, it’s cold and snowy and things are not going well. The 13 year old son sells his watch and ice skates to help out. He builds “the little city of hope” in his dad’s workroom. And miracles do happen. After all, it’s Christmas!
Goodreads 2024 Challenge - Book #115 of 120
The last of my “short reads” for 2024. The Little City of Hope is a novella of 90 odd pages first published in 1907. A sweet Christmas story about an inventor and his son. He has a wife too, but she has left to be a governess to a wealthy family for a short period of time. The inventor left his good teaching job at the college to follow his dream, inventing some new fangled
“Air-Motor”. Mrs. Inventor is helping out financially.
Of course it’s December, it’s cold and snowy and things are not going well. The 13 year old son sells his watch and ice skates to help out. He builds “the little city of hope” in his dad’s workroom. And miracles do happen. After all, it’s Christmas!
Goodreads 2024 Challenge - Book #115 of 120
December 3, 2020
This reminded me a bit of something from Hallmark Channel. It was sweet and tender and you had good people who were dealing with trouble, leading up to what promised to be a very bleak Christmas indeed. With the tiniest speck of hope left, (and the wisdom and frugality of a great wife/mother), Christmas was saved and the family fortunes restored.
This story was originally written in 1864. You would never know it. It holds up extremely well, all things considered. Clean, wholesome family fare. It really WOULD make for a very good Hallmark Christmas special.
This story was originally written in 1864. You would never know it. It holds up extremely well, all things considered. Clean, wholesome family fare. It really WOULD make for a very good Hallmark Christmas special.
April 2, 2022
Wonderful entertaining listening 🎶☺
Another will written family relationships adventure thriller short story by F. Marion Crawford about an inventor and his family as they struggle to survive during a difficult time. Then hope happens the invention works two days before Christmas. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye issues and damage from nerve damage caused by shingles. 🏡🔰👒☺ 2022
Another will written family relationships adventure thriller short story by F. Marion Crawford about an inventor and his family as they struggle to survive during a difficult time. Then hope happens the invention works two days before Christmas. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye issues and damage from nerve damage caused by shingles. 🏡🔰👒☺ 2022
January 1, 2021
Tremendous short story!
Absolutely delightful holiday story! Loved the plot and how authentic the characters came across. A huge plus is the fact that it was set during Christmas time.
Absolutely delightful holiday story! Loved the plot and how authentic the characters came across. A huge plus is the fact that it was set during Christmas time.
December 15, 2021
A little kindness project
Its a good short story to fill your morning, a heart warming story for this holiday season. A story about a little project to fill your world with kindness.
Its a good short story to fill your morning, a heart warming story for this holiday season. A story about a little project to fill your world with kindness.
December 15, 2020
Charming little story.
November 21, 2021
Delightful!
What a sweet story. Beautifully descriptive, and full of emotion, one is carried along on this hopeful dream. Passion, hope, persistence, and love. ;~)
What a sweet story. Beautifully descriptive, and full of emotion, one is carried along on this hopeful dream. Passion, hope, persistence, and love. ;~)
December 2, 2021
A lovely, old fashioned Christmas novella. I really enjoyed the descriptions, and it was interesting to look back at Christmas customs from the past.
December 14, 2021
Great book
December 23, 2021
A delightful little book, full of Christmas spirit. Every one of us should have a Little City of Hope, where hope can live and thrive.
December 26, 2021
heartening
A sweet old-fashioned tale of hope and perseverance, of family and expectations, and of working together for dreams to come true.
A sweet old-fashioned tale of hope and perseverance, of family and expectations, and of working together for dreams to come true.
December 19, 2022
Reads like a classic
Very old in style and message. A lovely Christmas read. John Henry and his son prepare themselves for the worst Christmas ever but it is hard to ruin Christmas.
Very old in style and message. A lovely Christmas read. John Henry and his son prepare themselves for the worst Christmas ever but it is hard to ruin Christmas.
March 30, 2024
The Little City of Hope
This is a very good story.
It’s a story of love of family
A story of a family ’s love for each other,
helping each other, when the times are tough
believing in Hope
This is a very good story.
It’s a story of love of family
A story of a family ’s love for each other,
helping each other, when the times are tough
believing in Hope
May 30, 2024
Heart Lifting
The Little City of Hope kept me turning pages in one sitting. It is indeed a lovely Christmas story that lifts your sense of the meaning of family to new heights.
The Little City of Hope kept me turning pages in one sitting. It is indeed a lovely Christmas story that lifts your sense of the meaning of family to new heights.
September 2, 2024
Building bricks without straw.
A very well written book about a mathematician/inventor and his thirteen year old son living in an old run down cottage in Connecticut.
A very well written book about a mathematician/inventor and his thirteen year old son living in an old run down cottage in Connecticut.
December 29, 2020
A lovely book and truly fills one with hope in this time of so much desparation.
May 19, 2017
John Henry Overholt is an inventor. His first invention was considered very successful, and John Henry is now working an a new idea, an "air-motor". Quite a bit a money has already been invested, with the 'air-motor" no where near completion.
John Henry is running out of money, time and hope. Mrs. Overholt had taken a job as a governess and is with that family in Germany. Their 13-year-old son, Newton, lives with his father and they are stayng in a run-down house in Connecticut.
The title of the story refers to a model of the town that Newton is building. "It was entirely made of bits of cardboard, chips of wood, the sides of match-boxes, and odds and ends of all sorts..."
Or maybe the title could signify the Overholt family and their little circle of support and love. A wonderful story full of perseverance and sacrifice.
John Henry is running out of money, time and hope. Mrs. Overholt had taken a job as a governess and is with that family in Germany. Their 13-year-old son, Newton, lives with his father and they are stayng in a run-down house in Connecticut.
The title of the story refers to a model of the town that Newton is building. "It was entirely made of bits of cardboard, chips of wood, the sides of match-boxes, and odds and ends of all sorts..."
Or maybe the title could signify the Overholt family and their little circle of support and love. A wonderful story full of perseverance and sacrifice.
December 3, 2016
An eccentric inventor is desperate to see his Air Motor a success, Unfortunately there are no funds left to finish his project. His young son is worried too as they'll soon be even without money to buy food. To cast aside their negative thoughts they begin to work on a miniature reproduction of the city of Hope, and while they do so they realize that their hope for the future still lives.
Simple well written tale.
Simple well written tale.
December 31, 2014
Nice quick little read, could probably finish it in one sitting.
I liked the way the story was told, not sure about it at the beginning but got into it quickly.
Not too old-fashioned, didn't feel particularly dated.
At times I felt like I knew the ending, but it was suspenseful and I wasn't certain it would necessarily go the way I thought it would.
I liked the way the story was told, not sure about it at the beginning but got into it quickly.
Not too old-fashioned, didn't feel particularly dated.
At times I felt like I knew the ending, but it was suspenseful and I wasn't certain it would necessarily go the way I thought it would.
December 19, 2012
This is an older book, but I really did enjoy reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews