The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas

By: James Patterson, Tad Safran

Narrated by: Chinua Hawk

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Move over, Dickens—America’s favorite storyteller has written a gift, “a delightful Christmas story to be shared by the whole family” (Kirkus),destined to become as treasured as A Christmas Carol.

At Christmastime, a family of three are missing someone dear to them. Until unexpected guests begin to arrive at their empty house, filling it with Christmas memories in the making.

Listening to the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a beloved holiday tradition.

Now comes a new one: Listening to James Patterson’s instant classic, The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas.

©2022 James Patterson and Tad Safran (P)2022 Little, Brown & Company

Easy read and can pick up and put down.

Like the characters and descriptions. Sure bouts of mayhem and holiday heartwarming ending. Just a book that brings the meaning of the holidays to light.

Wonderful holiday read for the family

Love dot! Had everything: Rollercoaster of emotions; Sure to please readers young and old; Whimsical, imaginative, and fun. A must read this season.

Fun story

I loved the story it was fun and full of up lifting times
Loved the character building

Fun

I loved this story. Life can be messy and sometimes stressful. This story tells how even if you try to escape living life the universe can give you a curve ball.

Love it!

This was such an entertaining read! I loved the character development and the twists and turns! Do yourself a favor and enjoy!

a new seasonal classic.

well a bit of a departure for James Patterson, he and his co-author handle this really well.

Festive and Fun!

This book blends just the right amount of serious family strife with outlandish shenanigans! The narrator’s voice is smooth and his portrayal of characters feels natural. Great holiday humor for the season!

Predictable but wonderful!

Just fun, funny and heartwarming. Predictable, but so what? The characters were so well done

Heartwarming Christmas story

What a fun Christmas story! This has everything I enjoy in a Christmas story: hope, miracles, magic, understanding, joy, and chuckles…don’t forget the chuckles!

“The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas” begins in a Disney-worthy fashion. Siblings Will, age 14, and Ella, age 12, are setting up a fake dating profile for their curmudgeon father, Henry. For 5 years, since his wife has died, Henry has become a crabby old man, his grief so heavy. It’s Christmas, and after 5 years of no presents, no decorations, no cheer, they decide he needs a woman. And guess what happens? Shortly after setting up the fake account, a Ms. Truelove starts messaging Henry, the children message back. Henry is livid when he finds out, immediately messages Ms. Trulove explaining she’s been duped, and he is NOT interested.

The next day, a partridge in a pear tree appears in a “Truelove Nurseries” crate. An enraged Henry sends another blistering email to Ms. Trulove. Of course, two turtle doves appear the next day, and so on. The family lives in a nice home in Harlem. It’s not zoned for this.

As the presents accumulate, and domestic troubles ensue in accommodating the presents (read shoveling excrement) it’s funny. Author Tad Safran and James Patterson come up with a witty domestic story of a sad dad, plucky children, and Christmas hope. There are some heavy subjects addressed, albeit lightly: mother’s death; alcoholism; school bullies, shoplifting; child neglect to name a few. But the way in which those subjects are covered makes the story richer in the Christmas spirit.

I chose to listen to the audio narrated by Chinua Hawk. He did a fabulous job. This is less than 7 overs of total joy.

Perfect for Christmas

This was so cute! I am glad to be able to listen to it. It was enjoyable and entertaining! I wanted to keep listening and couldn’t stop till the end. I loved the ending!