David Baldacci

In equal parts hilarious, poignant, suspenseful and thrilling, The Christmas Train by David Baldacci is a delightful journey filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief . . . Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to LA in time for Christmas. Forced to take the train across the country because of a slight 'misunderstanding' at airport security, he begins a journey of self-discovery and rude awakenings, mysterious goings-on and thrilling adventures, screwball escapades and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, where he will rediscover people's essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost. The Christmas Train Hallmark Hall of Fame movie starred Dermot Mulroney, Danny Glover, Joan Cusack and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

The Christmas Train

It's my experience that most folk who ride trains could care less where they're going. For them it's the journey itself and the people they meet along the way. 
--
It's a Christmas miracle! (that I finished this book in the first place)

Let me explain:
1. I really did NOT like the main character, Tom. He is this arrogant, manly-man type, who is unbearably condescending, and constantly objectifies the women around him.
2. All the women in this book are so... shallow. They are not characters, but just walking stereotypes. Has the author actually met a woman, ever?
3. The author: There are SO many different rail lines, criss-crossing all across the US. You can go ANYWHERE.
Also the author: ... and ALL the characters we met on the first train were also somehow taking the very same second train.
4. The ending. What? Why?!

So, what was promised as a cozy, festive, feel-good story derailed (sorry!) quite fast as the plot went on. But let me finish on a positive note. Maybe I did not like this book, but it made me want to plan a long-haul train trip in the near future. Preferably in the snow season. So there's that.

Rebecca Light

Rob F

C. J. Daley 

Haney Hayes PR

A journalist on a cross-country Christmas train scales the rugged terrain of his own heart in this New York Times bestselling holiday tale that inspired the Hallmark Hall of Fame original movie! Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to Los Angeles in time for Christmas. Forced to travel by train, he begins a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures, and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people's essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost. David Baldacci's THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN is filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief...and shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles.

The Christmas Train

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