An elf who stages a coup against Santa Claus. A dinner guest with horns and a pitchfork. A bitter charity worker who seems determined to ruin the holiday for everyone—but just might be making the world a better place. In all the Christmas stories, the good and the deserving get their due. But what about everyone else? Don’t the people on the naughty list deserve a Christmas miracle of their own? Move over, Tiny Tim. In these six irreverent but heart-filled stories, the spirit of Christmas is for everyone. This collection contains the following stories: A Hell of a Christmas The Unlikable Ones Broken Wings and Christmas Things No Warm Fuzzies Christmas Furlough The Naughty List

"An examination of sociocultural nation-building processes in Mexico between 1810 and 1910"

An analysis of the use made of five structuring devices, or motifs -- the Bildungsroman, the patriarchal prison, the fairy tale, sexual politics and gender trouble --in a selection of representative women's novels from Spain and Latin America written between 1936 and the present. STEPHEN M. HART is Reader in the Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies at University College London.

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This enduring classic of Mexican literature traces the path to ruination of a country girl, Santa, who moves to Mexico City after she is impregnated and abandoned by her lover and subsequently shunned by her family. Once in the city, Santa turns to prostitution and soon gains prominence as Mexico City's most sought-after courtesan. Despite the opportunities afforded by her success, including the chance to quit prostitution, Santa is propelled by her personal demons toward her ultimate downfall. This evocative novel--justly famous for its vividly detailed depiction of the cityscape and the city's customs, social interactions, and political activities--assumed singular importance in Mexican popular culture after its original publication in 1903. The book inspired Mexico's first "talkie" and several other film adaptations, a music score, a radio series, a television soap opera, and a pornographic comic book. Naturalist writer Federico Gamboa, who was also a lawyer and politician, reveals much about Mexican mores and culture at the start of the twentieth century and beyond, from expectations regarding gender roles to the myth of the corrupting and decadent city. In describing how Santa is at the mercy of social problems beyond her control, Gamboa provides a rich historical portrayal of widespread conditions in the years leading to the Mexican Revolution.

The Santa's Library: 450+ Christmas Novels, Tales, Carols & Legends is a monumental anthology that weaves together a tapestry of narratives from a wide spectrum of literary traditions, highlighting the universal themes of love, generosity, and the human spirit that are particularly reflective during the Christmas season. This collection spans the gamut from the timeless eloquence of William Shakespeare to the poignant simplicity of Hans Christian Andersen, offering readers a rich variety of literary styles including the gothic, the fantastical, the poetic, and the realist. It stands as a testament to the enduring allure of Christmas storytelling, with standout pieces that encapsulate the joy, sorrow, humor, and reflection that the holiday evokes, providing a comprehensive overview of Christmas literature's evolution and its cultural significance across different periods and societies. The contributing authors and editors, renowned figures in their own rights like Charles Dickens, known for his quintessential Christmas stories, and Emily Dickinson, with her introspective poetics, represent a convergence of historical, cultural, and literary movements from Romanticism to Victorian literature, and beyond. Together, they harmonize to capture the multifaceted essence of Christmas, each contributing their unique voice to the exploration of themes such as redemption, faith, and the social injustices of their times. This anthology situates itself within a rich literary and cultural context, offering insights into how Christmas has served as a canvas for authors to project their hopes, criticisms, and dreams, thus enriching the reader's understanding of the broader human experience through the prism of Christmas narratives. The Santa's Library: 450+ Christmas Novels, Tales, Carols & Legends is an indispensable volume for anyone interested in the cultural history of Christmas, the evolution of holiday literature, and the remarkable breadth of insight such a multitude of perspectives brings to the festive season. It invites readers to delve into the depths of human emotion and societal values encapsulated in these stories, carols, and legends. This anthology is not just a celebration of Christmas but a journey through the myriad ways in which this holiday has been immortalized in print. It is an educational treasure trove that promises to enlighten, entertain, and inspire readers with the spirit of Christmas, making it a perfect addition to any literary collection.

The Santa's Great Treasure Chest: 450+ Christmas Novels, Tales, Carols & Legends represents an unparalleled assemblage of literary jewels, carefully curated to capture the essence and breadth of Christmas literature. Spanning centuries and encompassing a wide range of genres from poetry and carols to legends and novels this anthology celebrates the multifaceted nature of Christmas storytelling. The collection weaves together the traditional and the contemporary, the celebratory and the reflective, encapsulating the spirit of Christmas in its myriad forms. Standout pieces traverse the emotional landscape of the season, offering readers a panoramic view of Christmas through the ages and across cultures. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from diverse backgrounds and periods, bring a rich tapestry of voices to the anthology. From Dickens' quintessential Victorian Christmas to Andersen's poignant fairy tales, and from the reverent compositions of Isaac Watts to the pioneering realist narratives of Tolstoy and Chekhov, the collection underscores significant historical and cultural movements. It reflects the evolution of Christmas literature, showcasing how each era's social, political, and religious contexts have shaped storytelling traditions. This confluence of perspectives creates a unique narrative harmony, deepening our understanding of Christmas and its impact on the literary canon. For readers seeking to explore the depth and diversity of Christmas literature, The Santa's Great Treasure Chest offers an unrivaled opportunity. This anthology not only provides a compendium of festive stories but also serves as a lens through which the evolution of the holiday and its literature can be viewed. It invites readers to embark on a scholarly journey through the snow-draped landscapes of literary history, uncovering the myriad ways in which Christmas has inspired some of the greatest writers across time. Engrossing, enlightening, and profoundly moving, this collection is a must-have for anyone wishing to delve into the heart of Christmas storytelling.