A Bolshevik Christmas by Yoel Bereket – Reviewed by Guy Portman
In the North Pole the elves are having a rough time. They are toiling all hours in deplorable conditions for their capitalist overlord Santa. The elves have had enough. The ensuing revolution sees the Communists seize control, but the situation does not improve under the new regime. What will be the fate of Christmas?
This satirical novella, set during The Cold War, merges reality with fantasy. Kennedy and Khrushchev both make appearances. There is a great deal of unnecessary detail and repetition. As for the humour, it did not resonate with this reader. The book’s message, that Christianity is the salvation of Christmas, was anathema to him.
