December on 5C4

By Adam Strassberg

Book Overview

The magic of Christmas meets magical realism in this modern remix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories,
all retold together in an urban psychiatric hospital.

On the streets, Josh is a visionary who hears the voice of God, but on locked ward 5C4, he is just one more homeless patient with auditory hallucinations.

On his tenth involuntary admission, Josh confronts fellow patient Nick, a jolly toy executive in red pajamas.

It's Jesus versus Santa

Or is it?

The two agree on an alliance and plan a daring escape from the unit.

Are they becoming more psychotic by refusing their medications?

Or more magical as the real Jesus and Santa emerge?

December on 5C4 is a compelling exploration of belief, identity, prayer and wonder,
and of the blessings that come from the most unexpected of friendships.

Pick up your copy today and experience this holiday miracle for yourself

●●●

Somerset Award for Literary & Contemporary Fiction (2026)

Bookfest Award for Fiction (2025)

NIEA Award for Holiday Fiction (2025)

●●●

Praise for December on 5C4

"Adam Strassberg dives into the deep end of human experience. He is unafraid of any subject, especially the ones most of us avoid: religion, sex, politics, money, mental health, and our deepest fears about who we are. In December on 5C4, Adam reinterprets common mythology with humor and depth, inviting us to understand mental illness and our shared stories in a new way. You might experience him as either a dangerous heretic or an insightful oracle. I think he may be both."
- Rev. David Howell, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, UCC

●●●

"A unique tale for these times, where someone who might be Jesus meets someone who might be Santa on a psych ward at Christmas. Drawing from myth, religion, experience, and imagination, Adam Strassberg takes us on a tale that is both familiar and not, until we reach an end of hope and love. It is a Christmas story worth reading again and again."
- Rev. Beth Neel, Presbytery of the Cascades

●●●

"Adam Strassberg's novella, December on 5C4, is infused with deep religious knowledge, expert understanding of the experience of delusions and voices in one's head, and humor, which together entice the reader to keep turning the pages. The story weaves together Jewish and Catholic teachings, elements of the Christmas holiday, and the pain of mental illness, poverty, and homelessness. The richly detailed narrative presents engaging discussions of the nature of God and life-guiding ethics while bringing to life its characters, settings, events, the spiritual world, and the Christmas fable. A most enjoyable read for the Holidays or anytime."
- Lorrin Koran, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Medical Center

●●●

"With this culture clash of a story, Adam Strassberg has achieved a Christmas miracle. It's about mental illness and religion and addiction and love and loneliness - but the real miracle is that it never feels heavy; it never feels disrespectful. Quite the opposite: it's funny, sensitive, thought-provoking. The misfit characters are full of delightful contradictions. The prose is well researched; quotable; fizzing with vitality. It builds to a tense climax, and kept me guessing right to the end. One of the most refreshingly original things I've read in a long time."

- Charlie Fish, Editor-in-Chief of Fiction on the Web

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DJ2PWJRZ
• ISBN13: 9798337610870
• Release Date: December 2024
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 100 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"