I am not sure if it is amid the translation or if Debbie Macomber wrote this novel indeed in a very old-fashioned language. But it reads sometimes a bit weird and couldn´t convince me. Sad, but this is not what I am used to when I think of the author or read one of her books. The author knows better – much better.
Winterwunderzeit*
by Debbie MacomberAngelic Intervention Series #11
Translation Nina Bader
Original Title A Mrs. Miracle Christmas
Publisher Blanvalet on September 21, 2020
Genre Novel
Pages 188
Format Paperback
Source Blanvalet
Goodreads
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The most beautiful miracles happen at Christmas time. Christmas is just around the corner, and Laurel McCullough could use some good news. She and her husband Zach want a baby with all their hearts, but this dream has yet to be fulfilled. In addition, the two had to move in with Laurel´s grandmother Helen, because the old lady needs more and more help in everyday life. Since miracles are never far away in this special time before Christmas, one day suddenly Mrs. Miracle appears at the door, a caregiver who wants to help the family. It is nothing short of a stroke of luck with which everything miraculously changes … (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary).
Story
Laurel is unhappy. She struggles with the fact that she can´t have a child on her own. And with her husband who has not given up hope that there will be one day a baby for them, her life has turned into something she can´t even put a name on. The moment Mrs. Miracle steps into her life, things change and with that Laurel realizes that she can´t hide any longer what her real feelings are.
Style
It is sad to say, but this is not one of the authors’ best work. In fact, it is only average for me. Sad, but true. When I think of Mrs. Miracle, I see happiness, light, and a mischievous smile all over her face. She always has that special sparkle around her. The hope that never fades. The other thing that confused me a bit is the language and writing style. Not sure whether this is due to the translation or whether it was actually worded that way by the author. It sometimes reads very old-fashionedly and weird.
Characters
What I liked is the fact, that the author shows Laurel´s inner conflict in a very sensitive way. Sure, there are moments where I was wondering why Laurel was reacting the way she did towards her husband or others when they told her about their children or dreams. I mean, okay it is painful if you see someone else having what you desire but can´t get on your own. I get that. But sometimes I just couldn´t understand the main figure and why she was behaving the way she did.
Conclusion
Sad to say it but this book is only average. At least for me. I thought this is a heartwarming story about a young woman Mrs. Miracle is supposed to help, and she did. But the rest? Not the quality Debbie Macomber usually presents her readers. Sad, but no recommendation from my side.
Happy reading
*This book was kindly provided to me by Blanvalet in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.
Deutsche Rezension
Stil
Es ist traurig, aber dieser Roman gehört nicht zu den besten Werken der Autorin. Tatsächlich ist er für mich nur durchschnittlich. Traurig, aber wahr. Wenn ich an Mrs. Miracle denke, sehe ich Glück, Licht und ein verschmitztes Lächeln. Sie hat immer diesen besonderen Glanz um sich. Die Hoffnung, die niemals verblasst. Das andere, was mich ein bisschen verwirrt hat, ist die Sprache und der Schreibstil. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob dies auf die Übersetzung zurückzuführen ist oder ob sie von der Autorin tatsächlich so formuliert wurde. Liest sich manchmal sehr altmodisch und merkwürdig.
Charaktere
Was mir gefallen hat, ist die Tatsache, dass die Autorin Laurels inneren Konflikt auf sehr sensible Weise zeigt. Es gibt Momente, in denen ich mich gefragt habe, warum Laurel so reagiert hat, wie sie es gegenüber ihrem Ehemann oder anderen getan hat, als sie ihr von ihren Kindern oder Träumen erzählt haben. Ich meine, okay, es ist schmerzhaft, wenn man sieht, dass jemand anderes das hat, was man selbst auch will, aber nicht von allein bekommen kann. Ich verstehe das. Aber manchmal konnte ich die Hauptfigur einfach nicht verstehen und warum sie sich so benahm, wie sie es tat.
Resultat
Traurig das zu sagen, aber dieses Buch ist nur durchschnittlich. Zumindest für mich. Ich dachte, das ist eine herzerwärmende Geschichte über eine junge Frau, der Mrs. Miracle helfen soll, und sie tut es ja auch. Aber der Rest? Nicht die Qualität, die Debbie Macomber ihren Lesern normalerweise präsentiert. Traurig, aber leider keine Empfehlung von meiner Seite.
*This title was originally published A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Ballantine Books on October 1, 2019.
Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is the owner of the Victorian Tea Room and the yarn shop A Good Yarn, which was named after the store in her successful book Blossom Street. She is the author of Sweet Tomorrows, among many other books, and a leading voice in women´s fiction. Ten of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller lists, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber´s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber´s Cedar Cove books. She has more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Debbie Macomber, who likes to be a grandmother, lives with her husband Wayne in Port Orchard, Washington, where her novels play and spends the winter in Florida.
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Aw, too bad you didn't enjoy this book more. But of course not all books can be winners (I wish!)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have enjoyed it more. Usually I love her work but not this time.
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