Critically acclaimed author Michael Malone has won the Edgar, O. Henry, Writer's Guild, and Emmy Awards. Booklist hails The Last Noel as a "warm, engaging love story." This moving tale of an improbable friendship was a Book Sense 76 Top 10 selection. Noni Tilden and John "Kaye" King meet as young children on Christmas Eve of 1963. Noni is a white, privileged girl, while Kaye is a poor, black boy. Over four decades, they continue to meet during the holidays, and their friendship endures all obstacles in its path.
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"Loved this one! It was my very first pick for book club. I gave my members tiny red sleighs with the night's details on them. If I remeber correctly it's about two children with very different backgrounds that meet while sledding one Christmas Eve. As their lives unfold, they're brought together each Christmas to reunite and continue their friendship. There's a bit of romance in there as well."
— Jamie (5 out of 5 stars)
" This one crept up on me. Started a bit slow, but the layering of characterizations, the handling of time passing, the references to social markers through the years... it all added up. And the final two pages had be crying like a baby. "
— Julia, 2/9/2014" Started off kind of slow for me but liked it more as the story progressed. "
— Carla, 2/8/2014" A wonderful book that each time I put it down all I could think about was picking it up again. This book is about love and friendship that spans over 4 decades. I highly recommend it. "
— Lindaahinton, 1/30/2014" This book kept me up way past a sensible bedtime and had me sobbing into my pillow. I couldn't get the characters out of my head long after setting the book down. A great story about friendship, family, race relations and love that binds people from two different worlds, tightly together. "
— Deborah, 1/29/2014" I really liked this book. It's about a poor black boy and a rich white girl who are best friends for almost their whole lives. My only complaint is that people act so stupid instead of just telling their feelings. "
— Jean, 1/23/2014" I got pretty annoyed with this book. Not the best book I've ever read. "
— Felicity, 1/22/2014" the last chapter was amazing & a tear-jerker. WOW! awesome story of how friendship can last & also how things can work out "okay" even w/ missed opportunities & some wrong turns. "
— Jennifer, 1/16/2014" At first I wasn't that thrilled with the book, but that all changed and now I say, "An emotional favorite!" Wow. I loved the characters and felt I was right there with them. Real life for sure. I'll have to pick up more of this Mr. Malone author. "
— Laura, 1/14/2014" One of the best unspoken love stories I have read....This book should be a movie... "
— Lamarr, 12/28/2013" Yuck. This was way too sentimental and "schmaltzy" for me. The characters are grossly stereotyped and the book read like a soap opera or a bad made-for-TV-movie. "
— Diane, 12/25/2013" tear jerker! but a very well written one. "
— Katrina, 12/19/2013" How fragile and long-suffering love can be in the face of cultural considerations. A tender book. "
— Jodi, 11/26/2013" Sweet, somewhat predictable story. I enjoyed the time periods traveling from the 60's to the present time, with reflections on what was going on in America during those times. But the story was a little too Nicholas Sparks for me. "
— Amy, 11/18/2013" A wonderful dynamic story spanning several decades. I don't know how I came across this gem but I am glad I did~ the perfect holiday treasure! "
— Rowlak5, 11/11/2013" I thought this was an excellent well written novel. It literally stole my heart away. I love books like this. "
— Dawn, 11/8/2013" 2.5. It was just ok. "
— Lynne, 9/13/2013" I got lost in this book and I was following these character throughout the decades as if I knew them. Some people will say it is sappy and sad but I loved it. Mr. Malone I will read more of your books if they are as good as thos one. "
— Sharon, 7/14/2013" This book touched my heart. It was an excellent story that caused me to fall in love and feel like I knew so many of the characters in it. It is a very emotional read throughout. Keep the tissue box handy because the tears will flow. "
— Cindy, 5/28/2013" Such a great read! I loved that every chapter started at Christmas. A fast read, though a bit sad at times. "
— Sarah, 5/21/2013" A beautiful story of love unrealized. "
— Kevin, 5/3/2013" It started slow but pick up. cried at the end. "
— Hayzell, 12/6/2012" Ok kind of book mindless fluff reading. Had a heartache of an ending, "
— Jacquie, 8/23/2012" This was a free kindle book, and I took a chance. I loved the character development. I had a hard time putting it down. "
— Donna, 7/2/2012" A good winter read. Not the best I've ever read. Lends to good discussion. "
— Redgeorgiadawg, 1/11/2012" Twelve chapters covering 40 years & 12 Christmases. Wonderful book, that hit a little close to home on some things at the end - but I won't spoil it for you. Well written and characters I will miss over the next few days. Everything I like a book to be. "
— Julie, 8/23/2011" Bit sappy and predictable, reminiscent of Sweet Magnolias; however there are some redeeming qualities so I will try another book by this author. <br/> "
— Kate, 5/8/2011" Without giving anything away...I wasn't happy with the ending. "
— Margy, 2/10/2011" Romeo and Juliet has nothing on this depressing story! That being said, I liked the part about the sled (rhyme not intended). "
— Shannon, 12/19/2010" This was good book. But, really nothing too special. "
— KBev, 1/18/2010" Story starts when the two characters are young and follows their development and life. One is black boy; one a white girl of privilege. Very gripping. "
— Faye, 12/30/2009" How fragile and long-suffering love can be in the face of cultural considerations. A tender book. "
— Jodi, 11/24/2009" "im not sure about this book. It was good but so sad. Kaye (a boy) and Noni meet when the are both 7 years old and fall in love. But, they don't realize it till too late. "
— Carol, 1/5/2009" This is a great Christmas book! I really enjoyed it, even though it caused many tears. "
— Deb, 8/5/2008" Michael Malone is a new author to me. I love his writing style and enjoyed this book so much. "
— Linda, 5/8/2008" A good Christmastime book that I try to read each year. The story is touching, and the setting is fantastic as you travel through the heady 60s with Noni & Kaye. I even did a painting based on the characters. Good times! "
— Beth, 8/16/2007Michael Malone is an Emmy Award–winning American author and television writer, born in Durham, North Carolina. He is best known for his work on the ABC Daytime drama One Life to Live, as well as for his bestselling works of fiction.
Norman Dietz is a writer, voice-over artist, and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and was named one of the fifty “Best Voices of the Century” by AudioFile magazine. He and his late wife, Sandra, transformed an abandoned ice-cream parlor into a playhouse, which served “the world’s best hot fudge sundaes” before and after performances. The founder of Theatre in the Works, he lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.