Precious Jeopardy: A Christmas Story: 10/27/09
Precious Jeopardy by Lloyd Douglas is a Christmas story from the worst years of the Great Depression. The story starts with an out of work business man considering suicide while his wife frets over not being able to provide nice Christmas gifts for their two children: Junior and Polly. A misstep on a sewing needle stops Philip from taking his life and gives him a reason to live.

The needle breaks and Shirley can only pull out half of it from his foot. Rather than spend money they don't have on a trip to the doctor, Philip decides to let the needle seal his fate. If it kills him, his wife and children will benefit from his insurance. While he waits, he will live in the moment and enjoy what remaining days he has.

Mostly though the story focuses on how the Depression forces Philip and Shirley to change. They like the characters in The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans end up finding work with a wealthy benefactor. The Garlands go to work on a farm that is hoping to bring back the old ways of doing things for a higher quality of product at a cheaper production price. The work though not great in pay revitalizes their marriage, puts food on the table and raises their self respect.

In a time when I'm unemployed and we're suffering with a tight budget and bills to pay and I'm dreading this year's Christmas, A Precious Jeopardy spoke to me. It is a relevant now as it was in 1933.

Other posts and reviews:

• Big Red EP
• Tender Mercies

books | Lloyd C. Douglas | fiction | 1933

Comments (2)

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Comment #1: Tuesday, October, 27, 2009 at 16:03:21

Sarah

It sounds like a lovely book. :-)

Comment #2: Thursday, October 27, 2009 at 23:13:08

Pussreboots

It is. If you can find a copy, you should read it. I found it at the library.