A classic Cape Breton Christmas story, by Alistair MacLeod
The merry and the melancholy. A young boy tries to hold onto the magic of a Cape Breton Christmas, as told in Alistair MacLeod's short story "To Every Thing There is a Season."
For weeks they dreamed about their older brother Neil coming home to Cape Breton for Christmas, but once he's home, the holiday takes on an unexpected new meaning.
The story is told through the eyes of an 11-year-old boy who, for the first time, is spending Christmas Eve sitting with the adults rather than his excited younger siblings. While there is excitement in the air over the impending arrival of Santa Claus, the boy can also see that Christmas may soon change for his family.
Alistair MacLeod was considered one of Canada's greatest writers when he died in April of 2014.
His story, "To Every Thing There is a Season," was released in 2004. It's published by McClelland & Stewart. The story is read by Les Carlson.