The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Story and Songs

Surely the most innovative holiday book this season, McLean's slim debut novel, which began life as a musical, includes a CD with eight songs by the author that are integral to the story. When straitlaced nurse Constance Chamberlin is assigned to care for elderly ""Uncle John"" in his mansion during the Christmas holidays, the dour young woman has reason to think that her patient has deep psychological problems. His constant cheerfulness, intense candor and compassionate attitude make him appealing. But John insists that he is 2000 years old, and that the ornaments he puts on his Christmas tree were given to him by people who played a small part in the Nativity. The innkeeper who turned away Joseph and Mary, the shepherds who followed the star and an angel are among those commemorated in ""the forgotten carols"" that John plays for Constance. Of course, John isn't what he seems, and Constance almost loses her newfound faith until she understands his gift to her. A mixture of whimsy and inspirational message, the story just manages to flow faster than treacle. (Oct.) FYI: Writer, composer, producer and director McLean has made the films Mr. Krueger's Christmas and Nora's Christmas Gift and the musicals Celebrating the Light and The Ark.