Jayme's Reviews > Mr. Dickens and His Carol

* A Seasonal Christmas listen 🎧 for 2023*
(which may become a new annual tradition !!)

WHAT IF??

I know that reading “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, or watching one of its many movie adaptations, is an annual Christmas tradition for many families, including my own.

But, what if it had never been written?

Samantha Silva has penned a delightful tribute to the author while taking some liberties with the facts of how this Classic story was born, and has reimagined its conception in this wonderfully descriptive tale which perfectly captures the 1840’s London depicted in his book.

I listened to the Audible version, which was expertly narrated by Euan Morton.
8 hours, 9 minutes

The story opens with Charles Dickens being told by his Publisher, Chapman & Hall, that his latest “Martin Chuzzlewit” installment has not been well received in America, and that they would have to start reducing his monthly income if sales drop further. (Fact)

His wife Katherine has just given birth to their 5th child, and oblivious to their monetary concerns, she is planning an elaborate feast and embracing the new tradition of (gasp!) having a decorated Christmas 🎄 tree indoors, while the children dream of the gifts they hope to receive. (mostly Fact)

🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁

His Publishers ask him to write a “Christmas” story, but the holiday is only 6 weeks away, and although he doesn’t like the idea-he also doesn’t want to disappoint his family, so he begrudgingly agrees. (not exactly how things happened…)

And, this is where the “fictional” really begins to blend with “factual” as Samantha Silva introduces us to the people in Charles Dickens “actual” life who inspire the characters we will all eventually meet in the novella he writes that will become known as his “Christmas Carol”.

I will leave off here, as you will want read this marvelous reimagining” for yourself, and meet the wonderful characters that she created to inspire him.

And, to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” was actually delivered two days before its scheduled publication date of December 19th, 1843 but by Christmas Eve, the first run of 6,000 copies was already sold out. (Fact)

Never out of print, there have been numerous editions and translations released and it is by far, Dicken’s most popular book in the United States with over two million copies sold. (Fact)

And, so a Classic was born.

And, I really enjoyed this tribute to it!