3.5 stars.

This is an incredibly quiet book that has a certain charm to it. It manages to capture your attention right from the start and keeps you constantly wondering about the events that will unfold in Edward Ives’ life.

Although there isn't an abundance of action-packed scenes, the prose is truly beautiful. It paints a vivid picture of New York City, which almost seems like a character in its own right.

The book delves into various aspects of life such as religion, spirituality, friendship, family, and the profound themes of life and death.

Mr. Ives is a complex individual, and in a way, aren't we all? We all have our own layers and contradictions, just like he does. This book makes you reflect on the human condition and the many different facets that make up our lives.

It's a book that may not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate a slower-paced, thought-provoking read, it can be a truly rewarding experience.

From the book jacket: Mr Ives, who has a prosperous career in advertising, a wife, and two children, believes he has realized the quintessential American dream. However, this dream is brutally shattered when his son Robert is killed at Christmas. Overwhelmed by grief and on the verge of losing faith in humanity, Mr Ives begins to question the very core of his life.

My reactions: I chanced upon this book simply because my Hispanic book club was in search of a Christmas-themed book. I had previously read Hijuelos’ Pulitzer-winning The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, but was unfamiliar with this work. I was immediately captivated by it and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was a Pulitzer finalist in 1996. It is a beautiful, thought-provoking novel that delves into the character study and philosophical exploration of one man’s quest for spiritual tranquility.

Ives (yes, his first name is Edward, but he is always referred to as Ives in the book) begins his life as a foundling and is adopted by a man who was also a foundling. He never truly knows his background – is he Italian? Cuban? Greek? – but he feels a deep connection to the people in the Brooklyn neighborhood where he is raised and gets to know the Spanish-speaking workers in the printing plant where his adoptive father is a foreman. Hijuelos portrays a gentle man with a quiet strength born of his circumstances and the influences of both the Church and his adoptive father. It is through them that he learns to love and endure.

There is an abundance of sadness in this book. Certainly, the murder of his only son is a horrifying event (and one that is mentioned very early on, so it is not a spoiler here). But there are also the kinds of daily disappointments and sorrows that any of us might experience – a friend’s accident, a burglary, a loved one’s illness, a financial setback. These are counterbalanced by the joys of life – budding love, great friendships, camaraderie, favorite books, the birth of a child, or success at work. And this balance, this sense of perspective, is what this exquisitely written novel is all about.

A couple of quotes: Of course, while contemplating the idea of the baby Jesus, perhaps the most wanted child in the history of the world, Ives would feel a little sad, remembering that years ago someone had left him, an unwanted child, in a foundling home. A family photo elicits this: He loved that photograph because he and Robert were holding hands, and although they did not look particularly alike, they were standing in nearly identical positions, their feet planted wide apart, and each regarding the other with a slightly tilting head, eyes a little sad and enchanted at the same time, smiles nearly forming on the edges of their mouths. A different perspective on a city snowfall: Then they rested, side by side, on the frigid pavement like dummies, wistfully looking upward at nature’s swirling activity. A kind of magnificence, heaven, as it were, coming down on them. The quiet love between a husband and wife: She remembered a time when, without saying a word, she would have a sad thought and he, sitting by an easel or by his drawing board, would somehow know. Putting aside his brushes or pen, he would throw on a jacket and step out to hunt down some chocolates, which she loved, and a bouquet of flowers. I will be pondering this gem for a long time, and I’m certain I’ll reread it.

I have a deep adoration for Oscar Hijuelos. As I mentioned in another review of one of his works, there exists a delicate, Cuban rhythm that saturates his storytelling, making it resemble a warm and fragrant beach night. So, what could be more wonderful than the combination of Oscar Hijuelos and Christmas? I came across his book "Mr. Ives’ Christmas" and was instantly drawn to it, thinking that a touch of Christmas salsa would be refreshing.

However, "Mr. Ives’ Christmas" is not a light-hearted holiday read, nor does it possess the rhythm of the previous novels by Hijuelos that I have read. Mr. Ives is a deeply religious man. As a child, he was a foundling adopted by the senior Mr. Ives, who himself was a foundling and received his surname from a priest who, upon looking at a Currier and Ives print, declared the child’s name to be Ives. The Mr. Ives who is the protagonist of this novel is an artist who ventures into the advertising business. He has a wife and two children.

Mr. Ives has an affinity for Hispanic cultures, speculating that it is his heritage. Thus, he resides among the Cubans and Puerto Ricans of New York City. He has a beloved son who, at the age of seventeen, decides to enter the priesthood. But unfortunately, that is not meant to be, as the boy is senselessly killed. His father spends most of the novel grappling with his grief.

Although that might sound like a real downer, the book is actually uplifting as we accompany this profoundly Catholic man on his journey through grief, as he seeks forgiveness in his heart for his son’s killer. Hijuelos has not crafted an easy novel to read; he has not written a light-hearted Christmas romp; he has not written a novel in the same style as the others of his that I have read. But he has composed a thoughtful treatise on faith, grief, and forgiveness, presented through solid storytelling that explores the tenets of all religions, shows appreciation for diverse cultures, and uses New York City as almost another character, brilliantly breathing life into the city.

This is a relatively short book—only 249 pages—but it is approximately 95% narrative, so it seems much longer. There is very little dialogue. Personally, I prefer an abundance of dialogue and a scarcity of narrative. However, Hijuelos is such a brilliant writer that we eagerly follow him on this journey. This is truly elegant writing.

This was such a beautifully written novel by Oscar Hijuelos.

I say beautifully written because the prose was so touching and poetic. It was as if each word was carefully chosen to create a vivid and emotional tapestry.

Mr. Hijuelos delved deep into the human experience, dealing with profound themes such as love, faith, death, sacrifice, and even the loss of faith and the onset of despair.

Yet, amidst all the darkness, there was also a glimmer of hope. The novel was about redemption and the rebirth of hope, showing that even in the face of great tragedy, there is always a possibility of finding light and meaning.

The story followed a close-knit family living in Manhattan in the 1970s. The father of the family was a deeply religious and faith-abiding man. However, one Christmas Eve, tragedy struck, shattering his world and causing him to question everything he believed in.

What a terrific story it was! It kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, and I cannot wait to read more by Mr. Hijuelos. His writing is truly captivating and has the power to move and inspire.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good story that explores the depths of the human spirit.

I read this in seminary for a class on forgiveness.

At that time, I was rushed and didn't have the luxury of truly savoring it.

Now that I have a bit more time to linger, I thought I’d read it again.

Oh, how wonderful it is!

The writing is just beautiful, flowing like a gentle river.

It is full of rich theological imagery that enriches the story and makes one think deeply about the spiritual aspects.

This is not just a story; it is a lovely portrayal of community, family, and relationships.

It shows how these precious bonds can withstand the passing of time, remaining strong and unbroken.

As I read each word, I am drawn into the world of the characters, sharing their joys and sorrows.

It is a truly moving and inspiring piece that I will surely cherish for a long time.

I found this to be a very sad book most of the time. The events and emotions described within its pages seemed to weigh heavily on my heart. I really didn't need to be more depressed this year, as life has already presented its fair share of challenges. However, as I delved deeper into the story, something unexpected happened.

But, I guess, at the end of it all, we learn that it is better to forgive. This simple yet profound message had a powerful impact on me. It made me realize that holding onto grudges and bitterness only serves to hinder our growth and happiness. So, this is really a positive story of encouragement and belief in fellow man.

The writing is beautiful, with every word carefully chosen to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The historical perspective is also true and enlightening, providing valuable insights into a bygone era. All in all, this book is a worthy read that I would highly recommend to others.

I must admit that I am truly at a loss for words when it comes to this book.

It was astonishingly simple, to the extent that in each and every chapter, I found myself eagerly waiting for "it" to occur.

However, as "it" persistently failed to materialize, I began to question the very essence and purpose of this book.

Yet, in some inexplicable way, at some indeterminate point, I became enamored with Ives.

All I desired was that which he ultimately confronts in the conclusion.

And in the end, I was brought to tears by the sheer beauty of the prose, which took me completely by surprise.

It was a journey of anticipation, doubt, and finally, profound emotional impact.

This book,看似简单，却有着意想不到的魅力，让我在阅读过程中经历了复杂的情感起伏。

Edward Ives was truly living the American dream.

He had a wife whom he adored deeply, two amazing children who brought joy to his life, and a highly successful career that many would envy.

Moreover, as a devout Catholic, Mr. Ives had a rich and fulfilling spiritual life, finding solace and guidance in his faith.

However, then, as Christmas was drawing near, a tragic event occurred.

Mr. Ives' son Robert was brutally gunned down right in front of a church.

The senselessness of Robert's death completely threw Mr. Ives' life into turmoil.

He started to question everything.

Was God really there? Was his marriage still as strong as he thought? And was his faith in the essential goodness of people just a delusion?

These doubts plagued him day and night, making it difficult for him to find any peace or meaning in his life anymore.

The once-happy and content Mr. Ives was now a broken man, struggling to come to terms with the loss of his beloved son and the shattering of his world.

A beautifully written book

chronicles the arduous struggles of a man as he traverses through life.

The man has to endure the heart-wrenching loss of his son, who meets a violent death.

This is by no means a cheery Christmas novel.

However, it is exquisitely written.

If one can patiently and deliberately go through the process that the man experiences and the profound thoughts he has about his life both before and after this tragic event,

they will be able to fully appreciate the depth and beauty of the story.

The author masterfully weaves together the man's emotions, his memories, and his journey of survival,

creating a narrative that is both poignant and powerful.

It is a book that will make readers reflect on the fragility of life and the strength that can be found within oneself in the face of adversity.

Having never experienced this kind of pain and loss, I vicariously entered a multi-layered world. It was a world where a man, after a devastating death, was attempting to find and hold onto peace. The Catholic references and background were not familiar to me. However, the redemption in this story was truly powerful. So many of the finely drawn characters in this novel elicited my empathy. A horrifically violent act had changed the life of a gentle and quiet man. As I finished this novel, I was filled with a resolve. I decided to be more sympathetic to the ways and paths that people use to deal with loss of any kind and on any level. We often don't understand the pain others are going through until we step into their shoes, even if only through the pages of a book. This novel opened my eyes and made me realize the importance of compassion and understanding in a world full of suffering.

Faith and pain can coexist in a most profound and beautiful way.

Robert, on his back, must have had a moment of clarity and perception. Amidst the chaos and the ugliness of a city street at the end of his life, he was able to see something truly beautiful. Even with the intense and tremendous pain in his badly gutted belly, his gaze lifted upwards. Beyond the fire escapes and the windows with their glittery trees and the soft glows of televisions, he looked towards the sky above the rooftops.

The sky was a shimmery expanse, filled with the possibilities of death. The lights seemed exaggerated, as if the heavens were peeled back, revealing a swirling haze of nebulae and comets. In some distant place, there were intimations of a new beginning, a journey into the unknown that he would soon undertake. It was a moment of both agony and transcendence, a moment when faith and pain intertwined, creating a scene that was both tragic and yet strangely beautiful.

Edward Ives was truly living the American dream. He had a loving wife by his side, two amazing children who brought joy to his life, and a highly successful career that many would envy.

Moreover, as a devout Catholic, Mr. Ives had a rich and fulfilling spiritual life. He found solace and strength in his faith, and it guided him through the various challenges and joys of life.

However, everything changed in an instant. As Christmas was approaching, Mr. Ives' son Robert was brutally gunned down right in front of a church. The senselessness of this tragic event was simply overwhelming.

The loss of his beloved son threw Mr. Ives' life into complete turmoil. He was left grappling with a profound sense of grief and confusion.

Mr. Ives began to question everything he had ever believed in. He wondered if God really existed and if His plan was truly just. He also started to doubt the strength of his marriage and whether it could withstand such a devastating blow.

Most importantly, his faith in the essential goodness of people was severely shaken. How could such a terrible thing happen in a world that was supposed to be filled with love and kindness?

Mr. Ives was now faced with the difficult task of trying to find meaning and purpose in a life that had suddenly become so dark and empty.