Wishin' and Hopin'

A Christmas Story

By: Wally Lamb

Narrated by: Wally Lamb

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

It's 1964 and 10-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he'll never forget. LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone's turntable, and Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade - easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon boy.

Back in his beloved fictional town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, with a new cast of endearing characters, Wally Lamb takes his listeners straight into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School - where Mother Filomina's word is law and goody-two-shoes Rosalie Twerski is sure to be minding everyone's business.

But grammar and arithmetic move to the back burner this holiday season with the sudden arrivals of substitute teacher Madame Frechette, straight from Québec, and feisty Russian student Zhenya Kapakova. While Felix learns the meaning of French kissing, cultural misunderstanding, and tableaux vivants, Wishin' and Hopin' barrels toward one outrageous Christmas.

From the Funicello family's bus-station lunch counter to the elementary school playground (with an uproarious stop at the Pillsbury Bake-Off), Wishin' and Hopin' is a vivid slice of 1960s life, a wise and witty holiday tale that celebrates where we've been - and how far we've come.

©2009 Wally Lamb (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Charming....Full of pop-culture references of the day. This will have broad appeal." ( Library Journal)

Quaint, friendly

Who didn't feel like Felix at some point? Wally Lamb has the uncanny ability to get inside his central character's head. This is the story of a few months in the life of a fifth-grader and somehow, a story worth hearing again is created. I love that this book is also narrated by the author as I don't have to question whether the implied tone is correct. Voice is a big deal for me and the fact that his is not annoying has contributed to my rating. Irritating and "smacking" voices have spoiled more than one audible book for me. Sometimes it's nice to hear something lighthearted and uncomplicated. It finishes up with all ends tied.

Just what I needed!

I had a smile on my face for practically all of this wonderful book. With everything going on that’s negative in the world it was a hilarious escape that is perfectly executed by Wally Lamb.

I was “Wishin’ and Hopin’ it went on twice as long.

Light, fun holiday reading

I really enjoyed this book. The narrator did a great job with all the character voices. The holiday tie-in is nice, but I think readers might enjoy this story at any time of the year. It's funny and well written. I found myself hoping for the best, even though the mishaps kept coming. Many will be able to identify with the struggles of growing up.

Lovely story even if you don’t know Annette Funicello!

This is such a great story, perfectly narrated by the author. I found myself looking on the internet to find out if it was a true story because so much of the story includes such marvelous details. I found myself laughing out loud several times the throughout and didn’t realize when it had come to an end.

A treasure

I have loved every one of Wally Lamb’s works. Such a gifted writer, he takes complex idea and weaves them into compelling, extraordinary stories.
This has long been in my list to read (or listen to) but the timing has always been off.
This year I recalled it was in in my audible library. Laugh out loud and touching he captures the tone of the times perfectly.
I am from the rural west coast, have been in European Catholic Churches as a tourist only and I don’t think I have ever set foot in a private school. Yet this story relates and tells the complex stories of growing up in America-the often mix of sacred and absurd. I hope to reread or listen to it as a winter tradition.
Thank you author Lamb, for yet another treasure.

Laugh-out-loud funny!

I have listened to this twice and bought a copy for my mom and aunt to read because found it so funny. I can't listen to it in public-- people look at me like I'm crazy because I laugh out loud. I love Felix and this great Christmas story!

A Christmas Tradition

Any additional comments?

I've listened to this several years at Christmas. It is just so funny, realistic and nostalgic all at the same time. I've gotten way more than my credit's worth on this one!

simpler days

This cute story was done really well. Wally Lamb style. The story takes you back to a simpler day.

Love you professor Lamb!!!

Earnest, touching, funny, smart and simply charmi.g. I've listened to Wally Lamb narrate this book at LEAST a dozen times. I love everything else he's written. This one is truly special.

Loved it!!

This story was light and fun. Its too great not to read. Having the author narrate was the cherry on top. He is great.