A Christmas Carol 2

I've often wondered what ever happened after Ebenezer Scrooge discovered the true meaning of Christmas. Did he remain grateful and continue to keep Christmas in his heart every day instead of once a year? What ever happened to his faithful employee Bob Cratchit or his family that he was reunited with before he died? What if hidden somewhere for more than 170 years was a copy of the sequel to A Christmas Carol that provided those answers of just what happened to our beloved characters years later? Well that is just what you'll find with a dose of comedy in the novel, A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg.

The story is written in a Charles Dickens manner in which all of the characters from Dicken's novels make an appearance in this delightful tale of Scrooge's return now as the ghost appearing to Bob Cratchit, whose generosity has now brought the company of Scrooge and Marley on the verge of bankruptcy. Scrooge returns as Marley did to remind Bob of the implications of his generosity without consideration and he is back to teach Bob the value of money. You will find such delightful characters interwoven in this Christmas tale like Oliver Twist, Samuel Pickwick, Uriah Heep, David Cooperfield and many many more.

 There are some play on words and phrases from Dicken's classic works, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, David Cooperfield and more as the characters remain in their respective stories and utter the now famous sayings. For example when Oliver Twist arrives in Bob Cratchit's office while men are there to solicit their annual holiday donations from him, Oliver Twist arrives to discuss his salary, "Please sir, I want some more." Bob isn't sure what he means in which Oliver replies, "I've been at Scrooge and Marley's for over two years now," the young man said with resolve. "I arrive at dawn and am here 14 hours later. I've saved many an account, Mr. Cratchit, sir. And sir, I'm 23 years old now, and am paid almost nothing, apprentice wages. Please sir."

Cratchit replies, "Done, as the cook said to the roast after taking it from the oven. You shall have it." He put out his hand to seal the agreement. "I'll triple your salary next week. A new start for the New Year. How's that?" It is Oliver that seems to understand common sense when it comes to money but Cratchit doesn't seem to be overly concerned.

Since the novel is based loosely around the concept that this is the actual lost manuscript from Charles Dickens, the author incorporates the use of footnotes throughout this book to guide the reader through unfamiliar characters, names and events of the period he believes are what Charles Dickens would have added if he did in fact write this book. It is an amusing look at what might have become of poor Bob Cratchit and a truly must have for fans of Charles Dicken's literary works.

I received A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg compliments of Third Road Press and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This would make a great Christmas gift to anyone who loves to add to their Christmas fiction collection. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars. I found the footnotes a bit confusing and opted to skip those initially on my first read through to keep the continuity of the storyline moving forward and went back and reviewed those during my second pass through the book. I love the authors use of cynical humor throughout this book and those quirky famous lines that interlace the conversations in the story.

For more information about A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge, Robert J. Elisberg or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg

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 You can find Robert J. Elisberg on his website by clicking here. 

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Third Road Press (November 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615727573
• ISBN-13: 978-0615727578
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches