DavidBaldacci.com

This guide is designed to enhance your reading experience of The Christmas Train by David Baldacci. Whether it is the story of a young woman on the run in The Winner or a violent intrigue convulsing Washington, D.C., in Saving Faith, David Baldacci has delivered great stories, authentic characters, and thought-provoking ideas since he burst on the literary scene with Absolute Power.

Story Summary
Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to Los Angeles in time for Christmas. Forced to take the train across the country because of a slight "misunderstanding" at airport security, he begins a journey of self-discovery and rude awakenings, mysterious goings-on and thrilling adventures, screwball escapades and holiday magic.

He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart as he rediscovers people’s essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.

Discussion Questions

• What is Tom Langdon’s first impression of train travel in the United States?
• What role do Regina and Agnes Joe play in the novel?
• How does Eleanor deal with seeing Tom again?
• How does setting the novel at Christmas time add to the storyline?  What themes and premises emerge as a result of this holiday setting?
• Discuss how the snow blizzard adds to the character development.
• The unexpected ending lends itself to the holiday theme of renewal and second chances. Discuss what other elements in the book have this same theme.

About the Author
Read the biographical sketch on the Web site for additional information.