The Last Christmas Tree: An Idyl of Immortality

audiobook

The Last Christmas Tree: An Idyl of Immortality

by James Lane Allen

EN·~23 minutes

Chapters

Description

The story opens with a sweeping meditation on warmth as the essence of life, likening every creature to a candle whose flame flickers against the inevitable darkness. Through lyrical comparisons—roses as perfumed lamps, eagles as winged lights—the narrative invites listeners to feel the quiet awe of existence and the mystery of what follows when the last flame wanes. This philosophical framing sets a contemplative mood that resonates with anyone who has ever wondered about the permanence of the human spirit.

Against this backdrop, a sudden, unprecedented snowfall transforms the familiar landscape into a surreal, white desert. A solitary pine, poised like a lone candle on a frozen altar, becomes the focal point of the tale, embodying both the fragility and the enduring hope of the season. As the snow swirls and the world holds its breath, the characters grapple with the paradox of loss and renewal, hinting at an enduring promise that transcends the fleeting nature of earthly life.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~23 minutes (23K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)

Release date

2013-05-03

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

James Lane Allen

James Lane Allen

1849–1925

Best known for bringing Kentucky’s Bluegrass country to life in fiction, this American novelist and short story writer helped shape the local-color movement of the late 19th century. His work blends regional detail, memory, and moral tension in a way that still feels vivid today.

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