A Christmas Story: The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film

Don't expect this reading to be exactly like the well known movie of the same title. The characters are the same but its doesn't all happen at Christmas time. The episode with the famous leg-shaped lamp is recounted in hilarious detail. However, the boy's obsession with a Red Ryder frontier rifle is not resolved as it was in the movie. The hillybilly neighbors, the Bumbass family appear as well, although in a darker more threatening form. I liked Dick Cavett's reading and there was an appropriate use of music.

Got this for a holiday car trip, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It took a while to get used to the narrator (whom I am not convinced was the best choice), but it was as charming as the movie, and maybe even more so.

I guess Jean Shepherd and J.K. Rowling have something in common -- the movies are never quite like the book. I love the "Christmas Story" movie and watch it ritually every Christmas season. I have to admit, I like the movie better than the book -- but like with Harry Potter, that is probably not a fair comparison -- directors take too much license with these stories. This is a great story. Shepherd writes in such a descriptive manner -- I almost feel as if I lived in that house and fought the Bumpuses dogs. I probably listened to the audiobook six times last Christmas season, and will probably do so again next season. It is just that good!

I guess I am too used to the movie where the narrator is the author Jean Shepherd. The book needed someone with a warm deep voice and Cavett's is too light and almost 'girly'.I never got the impression he enjoyed what he was doing and there was never any change in his inflection no matter what was happening in the story. I had my doubts before I bought and I should have stayed with my instincts and not purchased this. If you are a real fan of the movie don't buy this. You will be disappointed. I gave up after the first chapter.

There were definately some liberties taken by Hollywood in the adaptation. Missing one of the best parts in the movie, the tongue on the flagpole. Dick Cavett is a little monotone. Sure wish Jean could have read this as he narrated the movie.

I absolutely love this story. When I was a kid my older sister took me to see the movie in our down town single screen movie theater. Like most of what is in the book, that theater as well as the down town is gone and moved to the mall, but the memories remain. This will be my generations

A fun read. Any fan of the movie should read this. It is a collection of short stories that aren't all Christmas stories. Most were woven into the movie though. Dick Cavett was masterful as the narrator.

Ripping good tales of 1950's childhood and growing up!

have loved this story for years and still watch it every year. nice to have the Audible version so can play it in bed with the kids!

I didn't like the film, and was surprised that the book had a lot more in it than what was in the movie. An interesting listen for any time of year.