The Christmas Train

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Tim Matheson

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to L.A. in time for Christmas. Forced to take the train across the country because of a slight "misunderstanding" at airport security, he begins a journey of self-discovery and rude awakenings, mysterious goings-on and thrilling adventures, screwball escapades and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people's essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.

Equal parts hilarious, poignant, suspenseful, and thrilling, David Baldacci's The Christmas Train is a delightful journey filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief...and a story that shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles.

©2002 Columbus Rose, LTD. (P)2002 Time Warner AudioBooks

A story of strangers on a journey.

"The Christmas Train"  is an interesting study in people and their interactions when paths collide on a journey more or less by chance. It is not a flawless story and doesn't really go anywhere or really have a clear overarching message. Most of it's value being mostly a creative collection of entertaining character traits emerging through social interaction. A critical ear will likely notice that the pace does drag a bit and the ending has a pleasant twist, but feels a bit forced. On the whole, however, it does have a warm slice of life feel to it that will bring out a smile or two especially since the story takes place around Christmas.

The narration was fairly good as well considering the shear amount of character personalities, Tim Matheson had to bring to life using just his vocal cords.

This book is recommended to anyone who wants a feel good scenario about people and society as a whole. While the setting does take place during the Christmas holiday and it is called "The Christmas Train", the focus is more on the good to be found in people than any specific or special emphasis on the history or message of the holiday itself. What really tips the audiobook to four stars instead of just three is the eight minute short story "Waiting for Santa", an unexpected but powerful message that really touches the heart.

cute

Cute story. The only negative is the narrator. It needed a woman's voice, not a man unsuccessfully trying to sound like a woman. Brutal!

A satisfying Christmas story

Journalist Tom Langdon is tired and disillusioned, and has abandoned his career as a war correspondent to write fluff pieces. He's living in Washington, but has a girlfriend in L.A. Temporarily banned from air travel, he boards a train to reach L.A. by Christmas.

He's thinking he can probably get a story out of this, about the mix of people from all walks of live traveling across America. He has no idea what he's about to experience. Transcontinental train travel necessarily crosses some rugged territory, but the big surprise Tom gets, early on, is that old lover and reporting partner Eleanor is one of the "Hollywood people" he's heaTherd are on the train.

The storm trouble they're going to encounter is nothing compared to the emotional upheaval he'll experience.

This is a Christmas story. That means, in the end, that it is positive and heartwarming. It is well-done, with varied, interesting characters, and nicely managed twists and turns as we wait to see what the happy endings are, for the varied characters on this train.

An enjoyable, satisfying, Christmas story.

I bought this audiobook.

The Love Boat on a Train

A simple syrupy story perfectly positioned to become a Hallmark movie, which it has. I kept hoping for this to become a little more complicated, a little more nuanced, a little more interesting, it really operated at the surface level all of the time.

a little cheesy

What did you like best about The Christmas Train? What did you like least?

A cute story, but nothing to write home about

Would you recommend The Christmas Train to your friends? Why or why not?

Maybe, not an action, romantic, or thiller. Just something to listen to.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Sure.

Was The Christmas Train worth the listening time?

Not good, not bad.

Great Christmas story

Great story, takes you on a wonderful Christmas journey. Love the train sounds with the audible version.

good old fashioned story!

makes you want to take a trip on the rails. clean story. take the time.

Pleasant surprise

Felt the book was a nice surprise. Liked the humor and character development. Twist at the end.

Heartwarming.

I finished this book just now, on Christmas Eve. it was perfect with a Christmas miracle or two.

The Christmas Train

A pleasant tale.☺ The story was a delight and a change from other Baldacci books.