Review of Lemony Snicket's The Lump of Coal
Series of Unfortunate Events Author Offers an Unusual Holiday Tale
Dec 20, 2008
Everyone knows Santa gives lumps of coal to naughty boys and girls. But what happens when one of those lumps of coal has a holiday wish of his own? Lemony Snicket and Brett Helquist answer this question with their surprisingly poignant holiday tale.
Funny Fractured Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, there was a lump of coal who –“like many people who dress in black” – dreamed of becoming an artist and drawing abstract art on a canvas or at least some barbequed salmon filets. After tumbling out of a bag of charcoal, the lump of coal rolls away, in hopes of finding a miracle that can make his dreams come true.
But the outside world is hostile to lumps of coal – even helpful ones like the story’s hero who kindly offers his services to art galleries and Korean restaurants. At every turn, the lump of coal is faced with rejection and disdain. Will his cheerful optimism be rewarded? Or will he learn that Christmas miracles don’t apply to lumps of coal?
A Great Stocking Stuffer
In the style of his popular Series of Unfortunate Events books, bestselling author Lemony Snicket offers a satiric yet touching fractured fairy tale that re-examines the Christmas practice of putting coal in children’s stockings. Snicket even manages to include some philosophy about the nature of miracles in the story’s final page which is surprisingly uplifting.
While a lump of coal doesn’t seem the most likely of protagonists, Snicket and Helquist imbue their sooty hero with an appealing Charlie Brown-like personality that gives him plenty of pathos. Children will laugh and sympathize with the lump of coal who – much like Snicket’s Baudelaire orphans – is constantly unappreciated despite his genuine desire to help others.
Designed as a small gift book (6.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches) that can easily fit in a stocking, The Lump of Coal is made further appealing by Brett Helquist’s full-color illustrations, which evoke the same heartwarming weirdness found in a Tim Burton film. Unfortunately, the book’s small size makes it difficult to share with large groups of children – which is a shame since the book would be ideal in a storytelling session.
Destined to be a holiday favorite of many children for years to come, The Lump of Coal deserves a place among favorite Christmas stories. The only downside? After hearing the story, children may start asking for lumps of coal this Christmas!
Snicket, Lemony. The Lump of Coal. NY: HarperCollins, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-06-157425-2
Like children's books that turn fairy tales on their heads? Then check out book reviews of Rapunzel's Revenge, Once Upon a Curse, and My Fair Godmother.
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