A Christmas Memory facts for kids
First edition in solo book form (1966)
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| Author | Truman Capote |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Random House |
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Publication date
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1956 |
| Pages | 45 |
| OCLC | 716694 |
| Followed by | "The Thanksgiving Visitor" |
"A Christmas Memory" is a heartwarming short story written by Truman Capote. It was first published in Mademoiselle magazine in December 1956. Later, it was included in a collection of Capote's writings in 1963. In 1966, it became its own book, published by Random House. Since then, it has been printed many times and is considered a holiday classic.
The story is largely based on Truman Capote's own childhood. It takes place in the 1930s and tells the tale of a seven-year-old boy, who is the narrator, and his elderly cousin. This cousin, named Nanny Faulk, was like a best friend to him. Everyone called her Sook. Capote lived with her and other relatives when he was a young boy. He later described Sook as a "genius."
The story beautifully describes country life and the strong bond of friendship. It highlights the joy of giving during the Christmas season. It also gently explores feelings of loneliness and loss. "A Christmas Memory" has become a beloved holiday tradition. It has been made into many award-winning TV shows, recordings, films, and plays.
Contents
How the Story Was Adapted
Television Shows
"A Christmas Memory" was turned into a TV show for ABC Stage 67. Truman Capote himself helped write the TV script with Eleanor Perry. The show starred Geraldine Page and Donnie Melvin. Truman Capote also narrated the story. Both the TV script and Geraldine Page won Emmy Awards. The show also won a Peabody Award. You can find this version on video. It is sometimes called ABC Playhouse 67: A Christmas Memory. It was also shown in movie theaters in 1969 as part of Truman Capote's Trilogy.
The story was also adapted for Hallmark television in 1997. This version featured Eric Lloyd as Buddy and Patty Duke as Sook. Eric Lloyd was nominated for a Young Artist Award for his acting. Some people felt this version was not as good as the earlier one.
The story is also part of a 16-episode series called Short Story Anthology. "A Christmas Memory" makes up episodes 11 and 12 of this series.
Audio Recordings
The actor John Shea recorded "A Christmas Memory" for the Selected Shorts series. This series is broadcast on NPR stations. Shea's reading was very touching. It was put into an audio collection called Selected Shorts, Vol. XII. This collection won an award in 1999.
A CD of the story read by Celeste Holm was included with a special 2006 printing of the book.
Truman Capote himself recorded "A Christmas Memory" in 1959. An edited version of this recording was played on the NPR show This American Life in 2003. Capote also read the story to a live audience in 1976.
Stage Plays
In 1991, a musical play called Holiday Memories was published. It combined "A Christmas Memory" with another story, "The Thanksgiving Visitor."
In 2010, "A Christmas Memory" was made into a full-length musical. Larry Grossman wrote the music, and Carol Hall wrote the lyrics. Duane Poole, who wrote the 1997 TV script, wrote the musical's story. The musical first opened in Palo Alto, California, in December 2010. It starred Penny Fuller. It later opened Off-Broadway in New York City in 2014. This version starred Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley as Sook.
Opera
In 1992, "A Christmas Memory" was adapted into a one-act opera by American composer Samuel Jones. The opera was first performed in Dallas in December 1992. The composer wrote the opera's script using the story and the TV screenplay.
More Stories About Buddy and Sook
Truman Capote wrote more stories about Buddy and Sook.
- "The Thanksgiving Visitor" also became a TV show. Geraldine Page won another Emmy Award for her role in the 1967 TV production.
- "One Christmas" was published in 1983 and made into a TV show in 1994.
See Also
