A lyrical version of A Christmas Carol

Would you consider the audio edition of Young Ebenezer: A New Christmas Carol to be better than the print version?

I loved the audio version it brought the story to life. Although the print version has the beautiful coloured images so I love both equally.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Young Ebenezer: A New Christmas Carol?

I loved when the magical clock named 'Grandfather Time' calls to his friends and the ghost of Christmas Past, a little ruby coloured King Charles spaniel called 'Ruby Heart' appears. She is the little dog from the cover.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

This lyrical story has so many wonderful scenes it is hard to choose. I think one that stands out is when Eb finds he is no longer in his bedroom in the dark but in the blink of an eye he is outside in the park with lots of children playing together and sharing, something that Eb does not do.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Eb was frightened by the Grim Reaper and shown a young man with greasy hair in a dark gloomy room playing alone on his pc games with no friends and he realises this could be him and he vows to change his ways.

Any additional comments?

This is a very short and lyrical story great for young listeners and the young at heart like myself. A wonderful new modern version of the Charles Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol'

Very Highly Recommended

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Young Ebenezer

Young Ebenezer is fated to be fixed in his ways, until a little Christmas magic and Miss Ruby Heart step in.

I received a free audible copy in exchange for an honest review.

This wonderful short story follows a young Ebenezer - a boy who doesn't share his toys, and looks forward to Christmas with greedy demands.
Grandfather Time - a clock whose magic is threaded through many of Rose English's books; decides it is time to stop Ebenezer's ways before it was too late.

The story is light and warm, the poetical tale pulling you along. It felt reminiscent of the original Christmas Carol and the classic Twas The Night Before Christmas.
The narrator does a wonderful job, really throwing himself into the role, and drawing you along.

I can't wait to share it with my nephew, and I would definitely recommend checking this out as part of your run up to Christmas!

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1 person found this helpful

Charming and surprising but needs speeding up

Young Ebenezer is a rhymed retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, and focuses on a selfish, spoiled boy called Eb who has much to learn if he is to mend his ways.

I thought it was great fun to have contemporary references in such a traditional piece, and enjoyed the opportunity to hear it in a new light. It was nicely done, and very sweet, and I look forward to sharing it with my nieces and nephews who will love the little dog, Miss Ruby Heart.

Unfortunately, it was let down a little by the narrator, Bill Schafer, who appeared to struggle with the upper class/Victorian English accent that is really the only way to read a Dickens story. As well as being told in a slow, lyrical style aimed at younger children, the narration is often painfully exaggerated and doesn’t sound at all natural, which is a shame because Schafer’s voice has good tone and animation, it really was just the sluggish speed and awkward accent that made it feel uncomfortable.

(The issue with the torpid delivery was overcome by playing the audiobook at 1.20x speed, which made it feel livelier and helped to disguise the agonising deliberation with which Schafer was attempting to maintain the accent. It was much more enjoyable when I re-listened to it at this speed.)

I’d recommend this book to families with young children who would, I think, really enjoy the modern reworking of a classic tale and enjoy the humour in it.

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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1 person found this helpful

Really enjoyed this

Listened to this on Christmas Eve, really enjoyed the moderen retelling of a classic. Highly recommend

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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The heart of Christmas

A wonderful story reminding us all what is really important when modern life takes hold! Expertly written, beautifully narrated, my 13 year old daughter and I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this in the car on the way to school.

We would recommend this book to all ages but especially to listen to as a family.

Were now looking for more stories by this wonderful author.

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Story was good, the narrator let it down

Story was quite good but the narrator was a big letdown and struggled quite a bit on getting into character. It put me off the book a bit.

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interesting take on a classic

this is an interesting take on Charles Dickens classic Christmas Carol and a book I enjoyed listening to even though it is still November

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Modern tale with a touch of the olde worlde

Think Charles Dickens but for kids. This classic is given a modern day twist. However, with this audio book the narrator makes it feel as if it is from the old world.

'Many young boys and girls
are on their playstations,
X-boxes, Nintendos,
throughout all the nation'.

I can imagine listening to this sitting round a glowing fire, christmas tree lights twinkling and drinking a scrumptious hot chocolate. Great story to share on a Christmas Eve with the whole family.

Thank you to the author for a special promo code. I will definitely watch out for more from stories by this writer.

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