More Funny, Scary & Moving than the Movie Versions

Because I have seen so many movie and theater versions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843), I never felt any need to read it, believing that I knew the story well enough and that anyway it might be too sentimental. But because I like Simon Preble's voice and manner, when I saw his reading of A Christmas Carol in an Audible sale, I decided to give it a try. So imagine my surprise when I found myself moved to tears several times while listening to the audiobook, something that had never happened during my viewing of various adaptations of it. Dickens' story is sentimental and moralistic--but it is also so full of the joy of life, the understanding of human nature, and the pleasure of imagination and language, that even when Tiny Tim leaning on his wee crutch says "God bless Us, Every One," I do not cringe at being served too much sugar. Additionally, Dickens appreciates the replete dinner table, and my mouth watered over the delicious descriptions of different seasonal foods and drink. At the same time he infuses into his story a terrifying yet reassuring spirituality via ghosts, charity, and love. The idea of visiting like a specter key scenes from your past, present, and future wherein you learn truths about yourself that change your life is compelling. And the flame of Dickens' social conscience flares up during the story. Simon Preble gives a wonderful reading. He enhances the emotions and personalities of the various characters, bringing them to life--without over-doing it--so that the listening experience is deeply satisfying and moving (even if you already know how it all happily turns out). Preble's voice is seasoned, somewhat scratchy, and full of skill and wit, a perfect medium for Dickens' writing. Try reading aloud this passage introducing Scrooge to the reader! Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas. Hearing those words, how could you not enjoy Dickens' exuberant conceits about the stingy and frosty Scrooge? How could you imagine that he could ever change? And how, when he does, can it fail to bring satisfied tears of pleasure and conviction to your eyes?

23 people found this helpful

Perfectly captures the spirit

There are many excellent recordings of "A Christmas Carol" on Audible, but after listening and re-listening to them all, I think this is my favorite. (My other two particular favorites are the readings by Anton Lesser and Tim Curry.) This is not only one of the best performances of the story I've heard, it's one of the best performances I've heard from Simon Prebble. He perfectly captures the spirit of the story (not to mention the spirits). Each character has a clearly distinctive voice, and he manages Scrooge's transition from bitter miser to giddy convert with ease. There are so many different moods to convey in this nearly-perfect story: sadness at loss, anger at social injustice, amazement at wonders, boisterous high spirits at Fezziwig's establishment and nephew Fred's house and finally in Scrooge's heart. Simon Prebble nails them all.

15 people found this helpful

Prebble is one of the best!

I am an avid audiobook listener and I have to say Simon Prebble is one of the best storytellers I have heard yet. He does the voices perfectly, without sounding corny, irritating or melodramatic (as is all too often the case). His narrator's voice is very pleasant and soothing to listen to. HIGHLY recommended.

8 people found this helpful

A very enjoyable classic!

Charles Dickens' works are always great reads. The narration on this audiobook was very well done and I highly recommend the narrator.

3 people found this helpful

Best Christmas story ever !

I think this is the best Christmas story ever! The narrator is perfect. I never get tired of listening to this.

2 people found this helpful

Best Audible Version Of A Christmas Carol

I have listened to many different audible versions of this story and this one is the best. While listening to it I am reminded of the movie version from 1951 starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge (Which by the way is the best movie version of A Christmas Carol).

2 people found this helpful

Excellent Presentation of a Classic Story

What did you love best about A Christmas Carol [Blackstone Version]?

There are so many reasons to like this version of "A Christmas Carol," including the fact that it is unabridged, as so often this story is cut down for "modern readers" or children. Having grown up hearing the original read in my house since I was a child,and seeing almost all the filmed versions over the years, I think this could become my favorite.

What did you like best about this story?

The Dickens classic story is among my favorite Christmas stories. With this audio book I can listen to it any time of the year!

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

Mr Prebble's performance was just outstanding! He was able to do a convincing voice for the female characters, which can be very difficult for men to do, just as some female narrators have the same problem with male voices. I loved his characterizations of the wealthy bankers and investors at the very end and their remarks about the "dead" Scrooge.He was able to switch between his role as narrator and characters easily. I am going to search out other books he has narrated.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to, but I ended up listening in two sittings to savor it.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderfully read classical delight

The original book is so much more moving and heart warming than any of the movies. Simon Prebble reminds me a bit of the narrator from Winnie the Pooh with a warm, rich voice as he tells the tale. He does an excellent job of depicting and voicing each character as well. I highly recommend this quick listen!

Very well done

The narrator was exceptional! We read this every year and enjoy listening to it this year instead.

A Must!

The movies don’t compare! I could hear Dickens in the book, he’s indiscernible in the movies! I’ve never been that taken with the movies so I thought why read the book? I’m glad Blackstone Audio offered it for free or who knows if I’d have read/listened to it, and I’m Glad I did!