Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
The Christmas Hirelings cover art

The Christmas Hirelings

By: Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Narrated by: Jennifer Saunders
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Buy Now for £8.99

Buy Now for £8.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

A Christmas Carol cover art
Saving Ceecee Honeycutt cover art
After Many Years cover art
The Lilac Bouquet cover art
The Things We Do for Love cover art
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens & Peter and Wendy cover art
Wishes and Wellingtons cover art
The Old Nurse's Story cover art
David Copperfield cover art
Rogue Herries cover art
Jacob T. Marley cover art
The Crowded Street cover art
John Halifax, Gentleman cover art
Anne of Green Gables cover art
The Secret Garden cover art
The Keeper of Happy Endings cover art

Listen to clips from this audiobook

The meaning of Christmas
A holiday for the children
Sir John's troublesome bad mood
Excitement mounts on Christmas Eve
  • The Christmas Hirelings
  • The meaning of Christmas
  • The Christmas Hirelings
  • A holiday for the children
  • The Christmas Hirelings
  • Sir John's troublesome bad mood
  • The Christmas Hirelings
  • Excitement mounts on Christmas Eve
  • The Christmas Hirelings
  • Wise words from Moppet

Summary

A heartwarming festive tale of redemption and cheer, The Christmas Hirelings is the story of a lonely widower who reluctantly invites a group of children to his manor for Christmas. It showcases the benefits of opening your doors and hearts during the holiday season. 

About the Book
First published in 1893, The Christmas Hirelings is a delightful short tale of compassion and redemption. With his sole surviving daughter Sybil estranged, and his wife passed away, there is a deficit of Christmas cheer in the near-vacant country mansion of Sir John Penlyon. In an attempt to improve the festive mood, Sir John’s good friend Mr Danby suggests that three children be 'hired' over the Christmas period in the hope of brightening the mood. After overcoming his initial reluctance, Sir John soon opens the doors of Penlyon Castle to Lassie, Laddie and little Moppet. Their arrival does more than signal the coming of Christmas however, as Sir John finds himself re-evaluating his past actions. 

About the Author
Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a popular English author who earned success in the Victorian era with her sensation novels. Born in London in 1835, she was raised by her mother Fanny after her parents’ separation. She began working as an actress as a teenager, but after eight years, and with declining popularity and waning interest, she instead turned to writing. Her prolific output resulted in over 80 novels, 150 short stories, as well as plays and articles. Braddon is best known for her novel Lady Audley’s Secret, which combined elements of the detective novel, the psychological thriller and the romantic comedy to become one of the most successful novels of the 19th century.

About the Narrator
Jennifer Saunders is a national comedy icon and a much loved TV star. She has a host of awards to her name including five BAFTA Awards, two International Emmy Awards and four British Comedy Awards, to name a few. She is most well known for her French and Saunders comedy duo, Absolutely Fabulous and her work with Comic Relief. Jennifer’s voice credits include Shrek 2, Minions, Stick Man, Sing and Moominvalley

Public Domain (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

Behind the scenes with Jennifer Saunders

The actress and accomplished voice artist talks about recording this year's Christmas Gift
0:00

What listeners say about The Christmas Hirelings

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,477
  • 4 Stars
    746
  • 3 Stars
    382
  • 2 Stars
    108
  • 1 Stars
    100
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,727
  • 4 Stars
    523
  • 3 Stars
    186
  • 2 Stars
    52
  • 1 Stars
    60
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,217
  • 4 Stars
    666
  • 3 Stars
    421
  • 2 Stars
    124
  • 1 Stars
    100

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very charming festive story!

This was an incredibly charming heartwarming story. Easy to listen to and over too quickly (in a good way). Jennifer Saunders was a perfect reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A gem!

Thank you Audible for this Christmas gift I really enjoyed it. Jen Saunders is one of the best narrators ever, so even better for that too. The subtle nuances and humour makes this a great listen and was delightful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful.

A delightful Christmas story about an old man who, found wanting of Christmas spirit, takes up a friend's suggestion to hire some children for the Christmas holidays to inject some life and laughter into his quiet, lonesome world. What follows is a truly wonderful, albeit a little predictable, tale of the true meaning of Christmas. This was a free download on Audible and you would be a fool to miss out. It was an absolute pleasure to listen to this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Christmas Fare

Warm hearted story thoroughly enjoyable. Well told by J Saunders
Thank you to Audible and Merry Christmas

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Well read, ok story

It was a fine classic piece although predictable. Voice narration was excellent and overall I enjoyed it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it! What a wonderful Christmas tale.

I really enjoyed this heartwarming Christmas tale. Jennifer Saunders brings each character expertly to life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A sweet story

It was a sweet story, if a little predictable. What made it wonderful was the telling.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

exellent story

Loved it although you knew the end it was a lovely heartwarming story beautifully read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Well, it was free!

The story is old fashioned and a bit mawkish, but that's how it was supposed to be, plot telegraphed at every opportunity. I don't think I've heard the word 'tiny' as many times in my life as I have in this story. Jennifer Saunders read it with expression, but somehow rather slowly, which took away from the flow of the thing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Charming Christmas Tale

There are no surpises here but this is a lovely Christmas tale to warm the heart and embue one with a jolly feeling.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful