Review and More

Our Review

Attempting a fusion between sacred and secular elements, Michael J. Smajda's A Very Deer Love Story pens a new and unique retelling of the Christmas story. The story begins with the introduction of Estheril, a sprightly though starving young reindeer who helps Rudolph get his groove back. After having recharged his nose so bright, the lovely Estherell leads Rudolph down the road to more adventures and mayhem.

Though the 25 minute effort is distinguished by its rhyming lyricism, this was undercut for me by the lack attention to meter, a defect that might possibly be corrected in a second edition. Also hampered by a number of anachronistic plot elements and details, the story is saved by the fine dramatic narration of Helen Lisanti, whose British accent almost made me believe the thing.

I always welcome unique additions to the holiday mythos, and this story is no exception. Seeing as how the myth of Santa Claus is, in some sense, "timeless" I could probably overlook some of the anachronisms if we could get something done about the inattention to proper poetic meter.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2007)

More

Information about Helen Lisanti from World-Voices.com:

"I spent many years in theatre in England after graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. I appeared in 4 West End shows: "Elvis", "The Biograph Girl" (I played Lillian Guish), "Cabaret" and "The Mikado"."

Michael J. Smajda and Helen Lisanti

A Very Deer Love Story

Order from Amazon

Track List