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A review by moonlightcupofcocoa
Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I am so confused, and disappointed, by this book. As someone who's obsessed with anything Victorian England, it seemed like the perfect fit. I can safely say I adored the first part and the very last chapter. Everything else in the beginning was ... yes.
Throughout the whole book, I found myself adoring the writing itself. The writing is definitely a tribute to Charles Dickens himself and it really is encouraging me to try other books by Samantha Silva (despite really being frustrated by this particular book).
Also, the audiobook was narrated by Euan Morton, who brought the whole book to life. I've switched between reading the actual book and listening to the audiobook and can safely say I was still hearing Euan's voice even while flipping the pages myself.
I wouldn't recommend this book, but I think I'm in the minority (at least looking at the reviews online). I'm afraid that to explain, I'd have to spoil things from the story. Everything to follow is hidden behind the spoiler tag.
The main problem I have with this book is that, in my opinion, none of the things that Charles Dickens supposedly was inspired by to write the Christmas Carol (which is the main point of the book) had anything to do with the Christmas Carol. I honestly found myself several times pausing to ask what even is the connection here?
And the reason for that is the supposed muse that captivated Charles Dickens and inspired 'A Christmas Carol' was so *so* bland. Honestly, I can't think of a single thing she did (other than perhaps 2-3 lines) that were memorable at all.
In my opinion, she did nothing that no one else in Charles Dicken's vicinity (in the book) wasn't already doing. The only thing she didn't do was ask him for money or urge him to write the book. Is that enough of a reason for him to feel so enamored by, and obsessed with, her, despite only having met her perhaps a week ago, to be unable to spend a waking moment without thinking about her?
I reread parts of the book twice trying to understand how she inspired his book and honestly, I could not find the connection at all. Other than having a son who inspired Tiny Tim.
In the chapter where we finally find out that she's a ghost (a not so surprising plot twist but honestly, I don't hate it as much as other reviewers), I found myself actually repelled by the over-the-top reaction from Charles. Again, you'd think he was mourning someone he'd known for years. You'd think he lost his wife.
Throughout the book, from the moment his wife and children left home, we rarely see him think about them. If I'm not wrong, the only time he seemed to mention them was while talking to Tim and it was to gain his approval to regain some sympathies from his mother.
Only when she's dead and gone, do we see Charles actually think, and miss, his wife and family once again.
Now I know that Charles Dickens wasn't exactly faithful. And this is a fantasy book. But I really found myself unable to care at all about this woman.
Throughout the whole book, I found myself adoring the writing itself. The writing is definitely a tribute to Charles Dickens himself and it really is encouraging me to try other books by Samantha Silva (despite really being frustrated by this particular book).
Also, the audiobook was narrated by Euan Morton, who brought the whole book to life. I've switched between reading the actual book and listening to the audiobook and can safely say I was still hearing Euan's voice even while flipping the pages myself.
I wouldn't recommend this book, but I think I'm in the minority (at least looking at the reviews online). I'm afraid that to explain, I'd have to spoil things from the story. Everything to follow is hidden behind the spoiler tag.
And the reason for that is the supposed muse that captivated Charles Dickens and inspired 'A Christmas Carol' was so *so* bland. Honestly, I can't think of a single thing she did (other than perhaps 2-3 lines) that were memorable at all.
In my opinion, she did nothing that no one else in Charles Dicken's vicinity (in the book) wasn't already doing. The only thing she didn't do was ask him for money or urge him to write the book. Is that enough of a reason for him to feel so enamored by, and obsessed with, her, despite only having met her perhaps a week ago, to be unable to spend a waking moment without thinking about her?
I reread parts of the book twice trying to understand how she inspired his book and honestly, I could not find the connection at all. Other than having a son who inspired Tiny Tim.
In the chapter where we finally find out that she's a ghost (a not so surprising plot twist but honestly, I don't hate it as much as other reviewers), I found myself actually repelled by the over-the-top reaction from Charles. Again, you'd think he was mourning someone he'd known for years. You'd think he lost his wife.
Throughout the book, from the moment his wife and children left home, we rarely see him think about them. If I'm not wrong, the only time he seemed to mention them was while talking to Tim and it was to gain his approval to regain some sympathies from his mother.
Only when she's dead and gone, do we see Charles actually think, and miss, his wife and family once again.
Now I know that Charles Dickens wasn't exactly faithful. And this is a fantasy book. But I really found myself unable to care at all about this woman.