The Miracle of the Great St. Nicolas

‘The Miracle of the Great St Nicolas’ (1909) is Anatole France’s satirical reimagining of the classic legend. In this short story, St Nicolas attempts to perform a miracle, resurrecting three children massacred by a crazed butcher and preserved in pickle. However, this good deed will come back to haunt the Saint, threatening to destroy everything he holds dear in his life. ‘The Miracle of the Great St Nicolas’ represents Anatole France at his best, picking apart the superficial virtue of religion and bringing it into the harsh reality of the real world. Fans of France’s previous works, or those who wish to see the origins of Santa turn grisly, should venture into this dark but rewarding tale. For any still thirsting for dark Christmases after the 2015 horror movie ‘Krampus’, they will certainly find something to enjoy here.