Max Beerbohm presents a collection of parodies that mimic the distinctive stylistic tics of prominent Victorian and Edwardian authors as they attempt to write in the spirit of the Christmas season. The protagonist of each piece is a literary caricature, forced to navigate the sentimental tropes of holiday fiction while constrained by the specific, often exaggerated, linguistic mannerisms of the author being lampooned. These narratives operate as a series of stylistic exercises, utilizing a third-person perspective to expose the artifice inherent in the popular literary conventions of the era. The primary conflict arises from the friction between the authors' established voices and the forced cheerfulness of the Christmas theme.

This work is widely regarded as a pinnacle of English parody, celebrated for its uncanny ability to capture the essence of its subjects without descending into mere caricature. Critics often highlight Beerbohm's technical precision, noting that he manages to replicate the complex sentence structures of writers like Henry James with startling accuracy. The collection serves as an enduring study of literary style, providing a humorous yet insightful look at the conventions that dominated the turn-of-the-century publishing landscape. Readers who appreciate the nuances of prose and the history of literary criticism find this volume to be a sharp, witty exploration of how authors construct their unique voices.