Another Christmas Carol: A Modern Sequel to the Charles Dickens Classic

Another Christmas Carol: A Modern Sequel to the Charles Dickens Classic

What if the remarkable story of Ebenezer Scrooge was true? What if the account was relayed to Dickens and he turned it into A Christmas Carol ? What if the Ghostly visitations did not begin with, nor end with, Scrooge, but the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come visit one misanthropic soul in need of reclamation every Christmas Eve? This modern-day sequel to the Charles Dickens classic assumes all of the above. And this time, the spiritual trio's attentions have been directed to a not-so-nice woman in Philadelphia. Ellie Printh is a 53-year-old heart transplant survivor and wealthy business owner who loves no one and has no intention of changing that. On the anniversary of the life-saving operation performed seven Christmas Eves prior, the spirit of her equally irascible heart donor warns her she will be visited by three ghosts, looking to reform her character and give her a fresh start. But will this supernatural encounter change Ellie for good or are some people simply too stuck in their ways? John Derr's Dickens-inspired novel is a Christmas story that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Exploring some big themes including childhood trauma and abuse, Another Christmas Carol's message will stay with readers long after they finish the final page. I love Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol: it is a must-see every year during the holidays. John C. Derr has written Another Christmas Carol, which is a modern update to the classic story. This time, the character that has a chance to be redeemed is a very driven woman, Ellie Printh. She runs a very successful business but shuns all human warmth and connection. All the elements of the original are there, starting with the first ghost, a person in her past, who has come to warn her about the three Ghosts of Christmas that will visit her that night. The interactions and scenes that follow are all quite original, and we are never sure of the outcome for Ellie. Taking on a classic like A Christmas Carol is a formidable challenge but one that John C. Derr does well in Another Christmas Carol. Each of his characters is well thought out and fully dimensional. Ellie is a worthy contemporary Scrooge, and I enjoyed the fact that the original story was referenced several times. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is fantastically updated from the original, terrifying in a whole new way. Derr has accomplished a great feat, taking a well-known story and making it feel fresh and new but still keeping the emotional impact of the original. Another Christmas Carol will be enjoyed by those who love Dickens's version and those unfamiliar with the original. Derr has written a story that could become a new Christmas classic. - Reviewed By Kristine Zimmerman for Readers' Favorite "This novel is a well-crafted reimagining of the beloved holiday tale. The author is a very strong and clear writer; he employs a lot of figurative language, and his characters come alive off the page." - The BookLife Prize "Another Christmas Carol captures the charm of the Dickens classic with a new story that is timeless, hopeful, and endearing." - Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite