My synopsis of this book is so brief, because I don't believe in giving away ANYTHING about the plot. Daniel Wallace, the author, is big into blurring the distinction between the believable and fantasy. "Mr. Sebastian" shares this theme with Wallace's best-know novel, "Big Fish"; except that he has a different purpose with each. As we talked about "Mr. Sebastian", I came to realize just hw well Wallace crafted the book. We all enjoyed it, to the surprise of some of us.

This book was well researched and written. Egan is able to turn scattered bits of information into heart-rending stories of the unimaginable hardships these people endured. All of us, even those who don't like nonfiction, were glad they read it and have recommended it to friends.

This somewhat fictionalized memoir of one Christmas is one of Capote's best-known stories. It takes place during his early childhood, when he lived with aging cousins. One cousin became his best friend and constant companion. "A Christmas Memory" tells of the fun they had making fruitcakes and Christmas presents. It also tells of their loneliness and estrangement from the rest of the household. The edition we read includes two other short stories by Capote: "One Christmas" and "A Thanksgiving Visitor." We agreed that reading all three stories completes the picture of Capote's childhood that "A Christmas Memory" begins.