Humbug
Scrooge Before the Ghosts
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Narrated by:
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Charles Robert Fox
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By:
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Sarah Whelan
About this listen
A Christmas Carol shows us one terrible day in Ebenezer Scrooge’s life, but have you ever wondered what came before his fateful encounter with the ghosts of Christmas time? What happened to turn him into the scowling, penny-pinching old man we think we know so well?
There is so much more to this character—possibly more than Charles Dickens himself could ever have imagined.
Scrooge has compelling reasons for hating Christmas, for rejecting his fiancée and his precious nephew, and for employing Tiny Tim’s father, despite his obvious incompetence. He is a doting uncle, beloved brother, successful businessman, and passionate lover, but a dark secret puts both him and his loved ones at risk. Scrooge struggles to embrace his true self and live in defiance of the Victorian era’s repressive moral standards. Soul-crushing losses and his own destructive choices shape his fate into a twisted path of sorrow, frustration, and uncertainty—but also happiness, fulfillment, and love.
Scrooge’s own words sum it up best: “How delightfully queer life is.”
©2023 Sarah Whelan (P)2023 Sarah WhelanListener received this title free
Ok, 2 things: First I've read of this author, and first I've listened to of this narrator. These two things are intertwined.
I really enjoyed this reworking of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It takes us on a more indepth and more deliciously different path that follows Scrooge from the very beginning. I'm not going to go into the storyline too much, but for spoilers, but suffices to say, I really enjoyed the path this took.
The way Whelan builds the world around Scrooge, and gets over the descriptions of the places and the peoples he comes across, is astounding and I could see myself sitting there with Scrooge. Loved the descriptions of everything.
Charles Robert Fox narrates.
Now, for the most part, narrators have American accents, and there is nothing wrong with that but I am so very glad that this narrator was used for this book. His accent is very VERY English and fits in the Victorian England setting so beautifully! He uses a much OLDER voice for Scrooge, when talkignt ot he ghosts, than he does when he is telling his story, and I love that the voice ages as the story goes on.
It goes without saying, that my enjoyment of this book would be very different had I read it, or had a different narrator been used.
I'd like to read more of this author and listen to more of this narrator's work.
4 stars for the book
4 stars for the narration
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I wouldn't have enjoyed this as much, if I read it
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Listener received this title free
According to Sarah Whelan, I clearly had no idea.
Which is why this is such a wonderful book. Ebeneezer Scrooge had an entire life…before the ghosts. A full and fulfilling life – until multiple tragedies struck.
I’ll admit I cried. The book is sad in that Ebeneezer dies – but that was an inevitability. We all die. What I didn’t expect was to feel so invested. Right from the start, I kept expecting bad things to happen to Scrooge. After all his name is so much part of modern-day lexicon that most people recognize it instantly.
Without giving too much away, I hope I’ve convinced you to give the book a try. I will also add that Charles Robert Fox was a delightful narrator and I’ll definitely grab something by him again. And Sarah Whelan’s fiction novels are going to the top of my TBR pile…
Unique
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Listener received this title free
The author did a really good job, because both the setting and the narrator fitted in wonderfully with Victorian England.
The beginning of the book dragged on a bit, but at some point I got to the point where the story began to captivate me. Scrooge's life and everything that happened to him was told convincingly and yes, it was also very emotional at times. Scrooge is a kind-hearted person who has had to deal with a few blows of fate. Very touching. And for me, it ended up fitting in well with the Scrooge I remember from Charles Dickens.
Charles Robert Fox was a new narrator for me, but he managed to convince me. I liked both his voice and his delivery. He conveyed the emotions well and I think he chose appropriate voices for the protagonists.
I can highly recommend this audiobook for the run-up to Christmas!
A Heartbreaking View of Scrooge
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Listener received this title free
Right from the beginning I was hooked. I normally listen to books as I’m doing something else so they don’t always get my full attention. This story demanded my attention. There are so many details that can’t be missed.
Scrooge as a child was sad. His life was full of situations that almost forced him to become the sad old man he ends up being. His interactions with family, employers, fiancée, lover and others all play into the path he takes that makes him hate Christmas. These also state the big heart and feelings of taking care of others that is seldom acknowledged.
I love this story and will revisit it again and again.
The narrator, Charles Robert Fox, is perfect for this story. He brings all the accents and tones needed to make this story so realistic.
Standout story
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Listener received this title free
Story - 4.5 stars. I was really curious about how the author would combine the classic story with a new queer historical addition, and they succeeded beyond my expectations. The writing style and historical context felt spot on, and I felt so much for Scrooge, suffering so many tragic losses. Beautifully done.
brilliant
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