영어로 읽는 고전 _ 메러디스 니콜슨의 인생반전
"A Reversible Santa Claus"는 20세기 초에 쓰인 Meredith Nicholson의 소설입니다.
이 작품은 The Hopper라고 알려진 인물을 중심으로 전개되는데, 그는 범죄의 삶을 청산하고 정직한 삶을 살려 노력하는 중에 특별한 상황에 휘말리게 된 개과천선한 사기꾼입니다. 크리스마스 이브에 그는 예기치 않게 아동 유괴 사건에 연루되고, 일련의 희극적이고 위태로운 사건들을 통해 자신의 선택의 도덕성과 씨름하며 연말에 구원을 찾고자 합니다.
소설은 William B. Aikins(별명 The Hopper)를 소개하며 시작됩니다. 그는 법망을 피해 숨어 지내며 자동차를 훔칠 계획을 세우는 동안 자신의 최근 소소한 범죄들을 되돌아보고 있습니다. 그가 이 계획을 실행에 옮기려는 순간, 훔친 로드스터 안에서 mysteriously하게 나타난 Shaver라는 별명의 어린 아이와 마주치게 됩니다.
이는 The Hopper가 법을 피하면서도 아이를 부모에게 돌려보내야 하는 복잡한 상황을 헤쳐나가는 과정에서 자신의 범죄적 본능과 구원에 대한 열망 사이에서 고민하게 되는 일련의 사건들을 촉발시킵니다.
도입부는 연말을 배경으로 코미디, 장난기, 도덕적 탐구가 어우러진 기발한 톤을 설정합니다.

Classics Read in English _ A Reversible Santa Claus by Meredith Nicholson
"A Reversible Santa Claus" by Meredith Nicholson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the character known as The Hopper, a reformed crook who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances as he tries to lead an honest life after a life of crime. As Christmas Eve unfolds, he unexpectedly becomes involved in a child abduction scenario and, through a series of comical and precarious events, grapples with the morality of his choices, aiming for redemption during the holiday season. At the start of the book, we meet Mr. William B. Aikins, also known as The Hopper, who is hiding from the law and reflecting on his recent petty crimes as he contemplates stealing a car. Just as he embarks on this path, he inadvertently finds himself with a young child, nicknamed Shaver, who has mysteriously ended up in the stolen roadster he is driving. This sets off a chain of events where The Hopper must reconcile his criminal instincts with his desire for redemption as he navigates the complexities of returning the child to his parents while evading the law himself. The beginning establishes a whimsical tone, blending aspects of comedy, mischief, and moral inquiry during the holiday season.

Among the contents
Mr. William B. Aikins, alias "Softy" Hubbard, alias Billy The Hopper, paused for breath behind a hedge that bordered a quiet lane and peered out into the highway at a roadster whose tail light advertised its presence to his felonious gaze. It was Christmas Eve, and after a day of unseasonable warmth a slow, drizzling rain was whimsically changing to snow.
The Hopper was blowing from two hours' hard travel over rough country. He had stumbled through woodlands, flattened himself in fence corners to avoid the eyes of curious motorists speeding homeward or flying about distributing Christmas gifts, and he was now bent upon committing himself to an inter-urban trolley line that would afford comfortable transportation for the remainder of his journey. Twenty miles, he estimated, still lay between him and his domicile.

Contents
CHAPTER I. The Hopper was blowing from two hours' hard travel
CHAPTER II. The Hopper waited for a limousine to pass
CHAPTER III. The Hopper knocked twice at the back door
CHAPTER IV. They watched the child in silence for a few minutes
CHAPTER V. The snow had ceased and the stars shone
CHAPTER VI. Anxious and dejected at the increasing difficulties
CHAPTER VII. The Hopper, in his role of the Reversible Santa Claus
CHAPTER VIII. At three o'clock The Hopper reached Happy Hill Farm
CHAPTER IX. When The Hopper rolled away from Happy Hill Farm
CHAPTER X. Mary was not wholly pleased at the prospect of visitors