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On a snowy Christmas Eve in an unnamed American city, the archangel Michael wanders the streets. He is alone and hungry, his clothes tattered, and when he sees his face reflected in a store window, it is that of a young African American boy. Who will offer him food and shelter and who will turn him away? And when he becomes a blonde, freckle-faced child, is his fate different? Ann Petry’s beautiful fable reveals all her gifts as a storyteller and a sage.
Audiobook
First published November 12, 2020
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About the author
Ann Petry
25 books416 followersAnn Petry (October 12, 1908 – April 28, 1997) was an American author who became the first black woman writer with book sales topping a million copies for her novel The Street.
The wish to become a professional writer was raised in Ann for the first time in high school when her English teacher read her essay to the class commenting on it with the words: “I honestly believe that you could be a writer if you wanted to.” The decision to become a pharmacist was her family’s. She turned up in college and graduated with a Ph.G. degree from Connecticut College of Pharmacy in New Haven in 1931 and worked in the family business for several years. She also began to write short stories while she was working at the pharmacy.
On February 22, 1938, she married George D. Petry of New Iberia, Louisiana, which brought Petry to New York. She not only wrote articles for newspapers such as The Amsterdam News, or The People's Voice, and published short stories in The Crisis, but also worked at an after-school program at P.S. 10 in Harlem. It was during this period of her life that she had realized and personally experienced what the majority of the black population of the United States had to go through in their everyday life.
Traversing the streets of Harlem, living for the first time among large numbers of poor black people, seeing neglected children up close – Petry's early years in New York inevitably made impressions on her. Impacted by her Harlem experiences, Ann Petry used her creative writing skills to bring this experience to paper. Her daughter Liz explained to the Washington Post that “her way of dealing with the problem was to write this book, which maybe was something that people who had grown up in Harlem couldn’t do.”
Petry's most popular novel The Street was published in 1946 and won the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship with book sales topping a million copies.
Back in Old Saybrook in 1947, the writer worked on Country Place (1947), The Narrows (1953), other stories, and books for children, but they have never achieved the same success as her first book. Until her death Petry lived in an 18th-century house in her hometown, Old Saybrook. She drew on her personal experiences of the hurricane in Old Saybrook in her 1947 novel, Country Place. Although the novel is set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Petry identified the 1938 New England huricane as the source for the storm that is at the center of her narrative. Ann Lane Petry died at the age of 88 on April 28, 1997. She was outlived by her husband, George Petry, who died in 2000, and her only daughter, Liz Petry.
(from Wikipedia)
The wish to become a professional writer was raised in Ann for the first time in high school when her English teacher read her essay to the class commenting on it with the words: “I honestly believe that you could be a writer if you wanted to.” The decision to become a pharmacist was her family’s. She turned up in college and graduated with a Ph.G. degree from Connecticut College of Pharmacy in New Haven in 1931 and worked in the family business for several years. She also began to write short stories while she was working at the pharmacy.
On February 22, 1938, she married George D. Petry of New Iberia, Louisiana, which brought Petry to New York. She not only wrote articles for newspapers such as The Amsterdam News, or The People's Voice, and published short stories in The Crisis, but also worked at an after-school program at P.S. 10 in Harlem. It was during this period of her life that she had realized and personally experienced what the majority of the black population of the United States had to go through in their everyday life.
Traversing the streets of Harlem, living for the first time among large numbers of poor black people, seeing neglected children up close – Petry's early years in New York inevitably made impressions on her. Impacted by her Harlem experiences, Ann Petry used her creative writing skills to bring this experience to paper. Her daughter Liz explained to the Washington Post that “her way of dealing with the problem was to write this book, which maybe was something that people who had grown up in Harlem couldn’t do.”
Petry's most popular novel The Street was published in 1946 and won the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship with book sales topping a million copies.
Back in Old Saybrook in 1947, the writer worked on Country Place (1947), The Narrows (1953), other stories, and books for children, but they have never achieved the same success as her first book. Until her death Petry lived in an 18th-century house in her hometown, Old Saybrook. She drew on her personal experiences of the hurricane in Old Saybrook in her 1947 novel, Country Place. Although the novel is set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Petry identified the 1938 New England huricane as the source for the storm that is at the center of her narrative. Ann Lane Petry died at the age of 88 on April 28, 1997. She was outlived by her husband, George Petry, who died in 2000, and her only daughter, Liz Petry.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 30, 2020
Free short story for Audible Plus members!
A good Christmas story. It is relevant still today. It has a pinch of humor and exercises your brain for half an hour as you think about what the author wants said.
The narration by Shayna Small is pretty good.
Both the story and the narration I have given three stars.
************************'***
*The Street 4 stars
*Checkup 3 stars
*The Narrows TBR soon
A good Christmas story. It is relevant still today. It has a pinch of humor and exercises your brain for half an hour as you think about what the author wants said.
The narration by Shayna Small is pretty good.
Both the story and the narration I have given three stars.
************************'***
*The Street 4 stars
*Checkup 3 stars
*The Narrows TBR soon
November 19, 2020
It's Christmas Eve in America and Michael the Archangel descends to earth as a little Black boy to do a "check up." Who will feed him? Keep him warm? Protect him? The city this takes place in isn't named but the author does seem to draw some conclusions on city vs suburb. Then he changes his appearance to that of a blonde haired boy, how is he treated differently?
Checkup is just too short to be good when setting out to make commentary on this topic. I normally dislike narration but this short story desperately needed some. I think the author really muddied things when trying to juxtapose city vs country vs suburb. The conclusion was just not clear, in my opinion.
I'm trying to reserve judgment on the N word being used in this story since I don't know when it was written but honestly the story is 30 minutes long, it could have been changed. It felt unnecessary to make the author's point.
The end of the story is dissatisfying in the same way that real life is dissatisfying. What happens next? Are there consequences? It just ends and that's that. I think Checkup set out to do something intellectual but fell short. 1 star.
Checkup is just too short to be good when setting out to make commentary on this topic. I normally dislike narration but this short story desperately needed some. I think the author really muddied things when trying to juxtapose city vs country vs suburb. The conclusion was just not clear, in my opinion.
I'm trying to reserve judgment on the N word being used in this story since I don't know when it was written but honestly the story is 30 minutes long, it could have been changed. It felt unnecessary to make the author's point.
The end of the story is dissatisfying in the same way that real life is dissatisfying. What happens next? Are there consequences? It just ends and that's that. I think Checkup set out to do something intellectual but fell short. 1 star.
December 19, 2020
This is a lovely short story that seems to be inspired by the good Samaritan parable. It's wonderful for the family.
November 15, 2020
This beautiful little story illustrates the negative repercussions of prejudice and the power of kindness as the Archangel Michael is sent to check up on humanity in the guise of a scruffy street kid. It was really powerful how racial prejudice and callousness lessened his angelic abilities while acts of kindness, no matter how small, renewed his strength and ability to fly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2020
A short story to remind us all to be a little kinder, but also one that points out the way we treat people. How children are often naturally kind and loving and non-judgmental, how just because you go to church it doesn't mean you truly act in a Godly manner towards people, and how acts of kindness can affect the ones we bestow it on. The narration by Shayna Small was excellent!
November 16, 2020
Had the potential to be great, but fell short. Disappointing
February 14, 2024
This is a very nice Audible audiobook Christmas short story about archangel Michael coming down to Earth on Christmas Eve to check the state of humanity. I liked it very much.
February 2, 2021
Oh no!!
I really thought this was going to be a great read. I had high hope for it and I was honestly disappointed. It was a really fast read since I listened to it in a 2.4 speed. I really liked the premise of it and really expected this to be such an impactful story, but it just felt flat for me. I just wasn’t a fan of it and the ending really disappointed me.
I really thought this was going to be a great read. I had high hope for it and I was honestly disappointed. It was a really fast read since I listened to it in a 2.4 speed. I really liked the premise of it and really expected this to be such an impactful story, but it just felt flat for me. I just wasn’t a fan of it and the ending really disappointed me.
May 9, 2022
IT'S MORE OF A FABLE THAN A STORY
The Angel Michael is sent down to earth to "checkup" on the state of humanity, and he does so transformed into a child in need. He senses the presence of Lucifer there. Michael experiences cruelty and temptation, as well as kindness. Each time he is treated with compassion he is transformed back into his angelic form, but he returns again several times to learn more.
This is actually more of a fable than a story. It breaks down its message about humanity and free will into its simplest terms: "Neither all good nor all evil. The good sometimes outweighs the evil and sometimes it doesn't." Then it asks the unspoken question—Will you or won't you make the choice to be kind?
This short little story was written many decades ago by a respected black author and reflects the sensibilities of the mid twentieth century, but it's just as relevant now as it ever was. It's well worth thirty minutes of your time and would nicely add to your Christmas traditions.
The Angel Michael is sent down to earth to "checkup" on the state of humanity, and he does so transformed into a child in need. He senses the presence of Lucifer there. Michael experiences cruelty and temptation, as well as kindness. Each time he is treated with compassion he is transformed back into his angelic form, but he returns again several times to learn more.
This is actually more of a fable than a story. It breaks down its message about humanity and free will into its simplest terms: "Neither all good nor all evil. The good sometimes outweighs the evil and sometimes it doesn't." Then it asks the unspoken question—Will you or won't you make the choice to be kind?
This short little story was written many decades ago by a respected black author and reflects the sensibilities of the mid twentieth century, but it's just as relevant now as it ever was. It's well worth thirty minutes of your time and would nicely add to your Christmas traditions.
December 29, 2020
Before this book, I had never heard of Ann Petry. It appears that as an author, she often shunned the public eye. For a short book, it was an interesting idea. Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, but how often do people immediately forget him, when Christmas is over. At the time this was written America was a far more racist country, but what boggles my mind is why the Christian Church allowed it. The Bible is abundantly clear that we're all equal before God - equally worthless without Jesus in our lives.
This book is an exploration of a disoriented Archangel Michael touching the lives of a lot of different people, in a variety of forms and how people respond. It doesn't matter if someone is white, black, young, old, crippled or anything else. We should be putting others first and trying to understand where they are in their lives and what their needs are.
This book is an exploration of a disoriented Archangel Michael touching the lives of a lot of different people, in a variety of forms and how people respond. It doesn't matter if someone is white, black, young, old, crippled or anything else. We should be putting others first and trying to understand where they are in their lives and what their needs are.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2021
From Audible: "On a snowy Christmas Eve in an unnamed American city, the archangel Michael wanders the streets. He is alone and hungry, his clothes tattered, and when he sees his face reflected in a store window, it is that of a young African American boy...."
I listened to this story on the 5-hour drive to see my aunt during the holidays. I really enjoyed the perspective of the Archangel Michael coming to Earth to "check up on the humans" in 3 different forms throughout the story. How he shows up inspires the various people he encounters to either loath him or offer him love and mercy. I found it moving and engaging as a Christmas holiday story.
I listened to this story on the 5-hour drive to see my aunt during the holidays. I really enjoyed the perspective of the Archangel Michael coming to Earth to "check up on the humans" in 3 different forms throughout the story. How he shows up inspires the various people he encounters to either loath him or offer him love and mercy. I found it moving and engaging as a Christmas holiday story.
January 30, 2021
Wanted to read more Ann Petry after finishing The Street. This is a very short story that is reminiscent of The Good Samaritan - but felt incomplete, lacking. Imagines the archangel, Michael coming to earth in the form of a Black boy, a different, Black boy with a disfigurement, and finally a White boy, all on Christmas Eve. With few kind and generous exceptions, each boy is met with disregard or disgust before growing wings and taking off into the sky.
March 13, 2024
The archangel Michael comes down to earth as a litle black bot to see how people will treat him, since it is the Christmas time. He checks them up, if you will and he sees that there are people who will behave badly to a young boy, even at Chrsitmas time.
And then?
The the story ends; without the good being rewarded or the bad punished for their behaviour. In short, there is hardly a point to the story.
And then?
The the story ends; without the good being rewarded or the bad punished for their behaviour. In short, there is hardly a point to the story.
January 27, 2022
This is a short story about archangel Michael who on Christmas Eve wanders through the streets of a random town in America. He is hungry and his clothes are tattered. He first a young African American boy then chases to a blonde, freckled- face child. The story is about his different fates as he changes into different people.
December 17, 2020
A quick story that showcases the angel Michael coming down to earth for a "report" on how humans treat him as a human child in different situations. Not exactly a wonderful depiction of the world overall but probably pretty accurate, unfortunately.
December 26, 2020
I loved everything about this short novel!
Michael, the Archangel, arrives on the earth and is met with different adventures. Read this on Christmas Day. What a great message. Oh how I wish others could read it too.
Highly recommend.
Michael, the Archangel, arrives on the earth and is met with different adventures. Read this on Christmas Day. What a great message. Oh how I wish others could read it too.
Highly recommend.
March 18, 2021
I’m not really sure what to say about this. It was a quick listen so they’re obviously wasn’t enough time to get super invested in it.
I think the main point of this is to show that people just need to be nicer to everyone else despite their differences...? I mean it was cute in a way.
I think the main point of this is to show that people just need to be nicer to everyone else despite their differences...? I mean it was cute in a way.
April 23, 2022
One Christmas Eve the angel Michael is sent down to a city where he appears first as a young African American boy, then as an African American man, and finally as a white girl. What he discovers is the differences in people's attitudes toward them. He is to report back with this information.
January 11, 2024
An interesting commentary of the world; hate, love, care and disregard. It makes no difference the time of year but it does show how much an act of kindness can change (Christianity and angels aside).
November 22, 2020
I really enjoyed this short Christmas story.
November 26, 2020
An interesting concept. If angels checked up on us every once in a while, what would they find?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
Short Christmas tale. This audiobook clocks at only 30+ minutes, but I feel that it could've used a few more minutes to flesh out the ending.
December 8, 2020
A really interesting take on the experiences angels have interacting with humanity. Not sure that I agree completely theologically, but it was entertaining it listen to.
December 10, 2020
A lovely story that resonates and rings true today.
December 14, 2020
Enjoyed
December 17, 2020
Odd. Odd is fine but this felt unfinished.
December 23, 2020
Who will offer him food and shelter and who will turn him away?
January 4, 2021
It was sweet and I enjoyed the symbolism.
January 15, 2021
Cute short story perfect for the season
March 9, 2021
This short story surprised me! I loved it and will definitely be listening to it again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews