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Critic's Corner
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David Baldacci has given us such best selling thrillers as "Absolute Power," and "Last Man Standing," as well as "Wish You Well, a critically acclaimed story of hope and family. Now Baldacci once again showcases his versatility as he brings his readers a uniquely entertaining holiday tale . . . "The Christmas Train." "Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to L.A. 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." The story involves a cast of zany characters who are lovable, yet flawed. Tom Langdon, the protagonist, is a former globetrotting journalist. "He'd spent the bulk of his career in foreign lands covering wars, insurrections, famines, pestilence, and virtually every earthly despair . . . He had wanted to change the world by calling attention to its wrongs. And he did love adventure. After chronicling all these horrific events and seeing the conditions of humanity steadily worsen, he'd returned to America disappointed. He'd lost Eleanor, the love of his life, due to his inability to settle down. This, he considered the biggest mistake of his life, but what's a man to do, she walked out on him and he really wasn't sure why. Tom at this point in his life could not spell "commitment." For a while, to counter his melancholy, he wrote light stories for ladies magazines and garden digests, but these weren't exactly fulfilling. After the scuffle at the airport security, he decided he'd just take a train to Los Angeles where he was to meet Lelia Gibson, his current girlfriend for a holiday skiing trip to Tahoe. Why not write a train story, he thought. Why not indeed? It could provide some extra cash and a bit of excitement in the process. For this reason, Tom took the Capital Limited from D.C. to Chicago where he would transfer to the Southwest Chief for the long trek to California. This plot ploy allows the author to intrigue us with wonderful information on trains and the luxury we may soon lose if passenger trains go out of business. Now, the fun begins! First, there's Agnes Joe, a bawdy lady "of a certain age," who loves trains even though she's a licensed pilot. Agnes Joe knows every one of the train attendants and puts the "C" in character. She's a loner with one daughter who will no longer speak to her, so at Christmas Agnes Joe rides the trains. Yes, she's been married a couple of times and is not a believer in happy ever after endings. You'll love her, suspect her, and find her zany manners beyond stereotypical. Next on stage are the young lovers, Julie and Steve. They're eloping because Steve's wealthy parents feel Julie is not good enough for him, and Julie's parents feel their daughter is too young to know her own mind. Nevertheless, the couple are determined to be married on the Southwest Chief and honeymoon in California. Arrangements have been made for friends to board the train in Chicago along with a minister who will perform the ceremony en route. This is a tangled web that's fun to watch. Father Kelly, a retired Catholic Priest is another character who bears watching. He's anything but a stereotype. He reads the Bible and has a nip or two of the grape, but he's quiet, and oh, so helpful. For pure excitement, there is Mark Powers, the famous film director and his entourage; a young writer, photographer and gofer, and shock of all shocks, one Eleanor Carter. Eleanor is Mark's script doctor for the story the director is planning to do about a train trip across America. You did notice the name Eleanor? Oh well, every story has to have at least one coincidence. Ah yes, it would be a sin not to mention the incense-laden Drusella Pardoe, former CPA, now a palm reader and Tarot card expert. She reads palms and cards for free and insists that her friends call her Misty. Tom is sure the name is due to the intense incense aroma wafting around this femme fatale. There are other great characters, too many to name, but readers will remember each due to the exquisite characterization by Mr. Baldacci. In particular, no one will forget the magnificent Service Boss on the Chief, one Roxanne Jordon. This lady has a winning personality that can corral a Boy's Choir. In fact, it does, the L.A. Boy's Choir who is on their way home after performing at Carnegie Hall. As all these wonderful players go through many delightful, and a few not so delightful experiences, a thief, dressed in black, flits from one first-class sleeper suite to another. First the dirty work is done on the Capital Limited, then with even more stealth, again on the Southwest Chief. Passengers complain about missing articles; watches, pens, cash, palm pilots, and the like, but security is having a most difficult time catching this thief. The fun of the story is trying to figure out how this black clad rascal escapes detection. I read and read waiting for some bloody mayhem to take place, but the worst thing encountered is a little event Mother Nature has in store for this large cast of misfits. You see, the train must climb the steep rails up to the Raton Pass, go through the tunnel and descend 6,666 feet into Raton, New Mexico. Well, just about then, the weather brews up an event made for the history books. I believe the avalanche actually started at 11:15 Mountain time. . . . This is the appropriate time for Santa and his reindeer to come to the rescue, but unlike the sneaky thief, Santa is no where to be found. Baldacci has written himself a classic Christmas story that shows us we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles. And, yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!
(Jones is a published writer & literary critic) |
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THE
CHRISTMAS TRAIN
