The Penguin book of Christmas stories

The perfect gift this Christmas season: a generous selection of some of the greatest festive stories of all time

This is a collection of the most magical, moving, chilling and
surprising Christmas stories from around the world, taking us from
frozen Nordic woods to glittering Paris, a New York speakeasy to an
English country house, bustling Lagos to midnight mass in Rio, and even
outer space.

Here are classic tales from writers including
Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Dylan Thomas, Saki and Chekhov, as well
as little-known treasures such as Italo Calvino's wry sideways look at
Christmas consumerism, Wolfdietrich Schnurre's story of festive
ingenuity in Berlin, Selma Lagerlof's enchanted forest in Sweden, and
Irne Nemerovsky's dark family portrait. Featuring santas, ghosts,
trolls, unexpected guests, curmudgeons and miracles, here is Christmas
as imagined by some of the greatest short story writers of all time.

From Hans Christian Andersen to Angela Carter, this greatest hits compilation also happens to be beautifully published. Inside you'll find ghosts, miracles, grouchy curmudgeons and plenty of snow
Daily Mail Books of the Year

Perfect for any looming Boxing Day boredom. The list of rather superior contributors includes the likes of Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Italo Calvino and Dylan Thomas
Herald Scotland Books of the Year