A Midnight Carol: A Novel of How Charles Dickens Saved Christmas

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Holiday Read; A Charming Feel-Good Tale
Review: Almost everyone would agree that Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a holiday favorite. The book is a big seller during the holiday season and the movie versions practically equal the number of times It's a Wonderful Life is shown each year. But how did Dickens come to write this classic Christmas tale?

In her first novel, A Midnight Carol: A Novel of How Charles Dickens Saved Christmas, Patricia K. Davis gives readers a "who, what, where, when, how" scenario on the creation of this classic tale. In Davis' rendering, the well-known author has been experiencing a bit of a slump in his book sales and a smidgen of writer's block. He and his wife, Catherine, and their four children are about to be evicted from their stately home at the fashionable address: One Devonshire Terrace. And only to add to his troubles, Catherine announces that child number five is on its way.

The food becomes scarcer, the servants haven't been paid in weeks, and holidays are fast approaching. Dickens has a dream about the long-dead Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, and the man who took the "merry" out of "merry ol' England." Coincide the dream with the meeting of a very poor boy with a limp and a crutch, and voile! The Tale begins to perk in the writer's head.

Davis recounts an excellent tale with an old-fashioned 19th century feel to it that would make Dickens proud. It's even published in with a time-era feel. But Davis never really gets into the writing of the piece. All the reader gets to see is a glimpse of what is going around Dickens and then, suddenly, the manuscript is at the printer, destined to become one of the greatest books of all time. But wait! Dickens' rather unscrupulous publisher, Ledbook and Squid, try to deter the selling of the novel so that Dickens will be forced to turn over all rights to the story to them.

A Midnight Carol will never achieve classic status, but it is a fun holiday read, a charming feel-good tale that is sure to put the reader into the holiday spirit.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Holiday Read; A Charming Feel-Good Tale
Review: Almost everyone would agree that Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a holiday favorite. The book is a big seller during the holiday season and the movie versions practically equal the number of times It's a Wonderful Life is shown each year. But how did Dickens come to write this classic Christmas tale?

In her first novel, A Midnight Carol: A Novel of How Charles Dickens Saved Christmas, Patricia K. Davis gives readers a "who, what, where, when, how" scenario on the creation of this classic tale. In Davis' rendering, the well-known author has been experiencing a bit of a slump in his book sales and a smidgen of writer's block. He and his wife, Catherine, and their four children are about to be evicted from their stately home at the fashionable address: One Devonshire Terrace. And only to add to his troubles, Catherine announces that child number five is on its way.

The food becomes scarcer, the servants haven't been paid in weeks, and holidays are fast approaching. Dickens has a dream about the long-dead Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, and the man who took the "merry" out of "merry ol' England." Coincide the dream with the meeting of a very poor boy with a limp and a crutch, and voile! The Tale begins to perk in the writer's head.

Davis recounts an excellent tale with an old-fashioned 19th century feel to it that would make Dickens proud. It's even published in with a time-era feel. But Davis never really gets into the writing of the piece. All the reader gets to see is a glimpse of what is going around Dickens and then, suddenly, the manuscript is at the printer, destined to become one of the greatest books of all time. But wait! Dickens' rather unscrupulous publisher, Ledbook and Squid, try to deter the selling of the novel so that Dickens will be forced to turn over all rights to the story to them.

A Midnight Carol will never achieve classic status, but it is a fun holiday read, a charming feel-good tale that is sure to put the reader into the holiday spirit.

Rating:
Summary: Reviewer from Savannah, GA
Review: First, I must comment on the remarks by the reviewer in Carlsbad, CA. While everyone one has a right to their opinion, this reviewer's statements miss the mark. Indeed, Davis did not ignore the fact that Dickens had a distaste for upper crust Victorian England. How could you miss this? Furthermore, the story was wonderfully crafted. She brought Mr. Dickens to life on the page and by doing so gives us more insight into Dickens' wonerful classic 'A Christmas Carol.' Read the publisher's review to get a thumb nail sketch of the book, I wont reiterate what has already been written. I only add that it is an enjoyable, even delightful read. I plan to read it again next Christmas!

Rating:
Summary: A shoddy and joyless affair
Review: I love most things Christmas, and especially Dickens' A Christmas Carol, so I was looking forward to reading this. The idea for the book is sound--the "secret" story behind how Dickens was inspired to write his novella and how it became a huge success. But despite a clever twist or two, I cannot recommened this book: it is badly written, poorly plotted, and has lackluster characterizations (especially Dickens). Except for one nicely described scene from atop a cathedral overlooking London, there is no joy to be had in the writing--the ending, which should be practically authorproof in conjuing up Christmas cheer, is rushed and empty. The absence of a historical afterword, explaining how much of this was real and how much was fancy, is inexcusable. I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't. It reads like an outline for an especially mediocre Lifetime TV movie.

Rating:
Summary: Historically Accurate?
Review: I read this enchanting little novel and wanted more! I loved the way the author portrayed Dickens, he was a character worthy of one of his own novels, and my one complaint is that the story ended too soon. One caution I would make to readers is to remember that although this book is, as stated on the book flap, "fact-based", remember that it is in 'fact' a novel -- a work of fiction. I do not know the actual facts of the story, what parts of Dickens life at the time he wrote "A Christmas Carol" are actually represented in the novel, as opposed to the poetic license of the author to tell a good tale. But I will say that since this book is so entertaining, and intriguing, I now feel compelled to read a biography of Dickens to see how much the author actually gleaned from "fact". This is a compliment to the author. Her work stays with you, and in my case, makes me want to learn more. This is a wonderful story, and of course, a perfect holiday gift.

Rating:
Summary: Historically Accurate?
Review: I read this enchanting little novel and wanted more! I loved the way the author portrayed Dickens, he was a character worthy of one of his own novels, and my one complaint is that the story ended too soon. One caution I would make to readers is to remember that although this book is, as stated on the book flap, "fact-based", remember that it is in 'fact' a novel -- a work of fiction. I do not know the actual facts of the story, what parts of Dickens life at the time he wrote "A Christmas Carol" are actually represented in the novel, as opposed to the poetic license of the author to tell a good tale. But I will say that since this book is so entertaining, and intriguing, I now feel compelled to read a biography of Dickens to see how much the author actually gleaned from "fact". This is a compliment to the author. Her work stays with you, and in my case, makes me want to learn more. This is a wonderful story, and of course, a perfect holiday gift.

Rating:
Summary: Read in one sitting
Review: I read this wonderfully wrought tale in one evening sitting by the fire. This was an enthralling read with such wonderful descriptions as:"By December, the sun forsook the sky by late afternoon, taking with it heat and hope. Then cold blew in with its polar breath, hardening the ground--and human hearts--from the icy Orkneys to barren Dartmoor." It made me want to read more of the characters Dicken's was surrounded by in his life. This is fascinating all the more because it is based in truth. It was fascinating to me, to see the bleak conditions in Dicken's own life that led to his writing of my favorite piece of literature, "A Christmas Carol". It made it seem even more magical. :)

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful addition to your Dickens collection
Review: I really didn't know if I would enjoy this book or not, seeing that it was part fact - part fiction. But enjoy it I did! Written in a Dickensesque style, the book reads almost like an original 19th century novel, the manuscript lost in a musty basement for over a century, only to be found and printed for the first time. The other reviews of this book have done a wonderful job in their storyline description, so I won't bother going there. I will say that this is an excellent book to read in October or November - kind of a precursor of the holidays to come. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: A stocking stuffer that makes you wish for more
Review: Reading this remarakable account of Charles Dickens London only serves to remind one and all of the great joy that abides in the original masterpiece. As Dickens accomplished so long ago this striking book vividly brings to life the poverty of ignorance and want that served to shackle both the master as well as the popper. The drama of Dickens own finacial desperation, tied into the the street urchins that harked as if from his very own works was truly a transending event. That lifts this fictional account above the ordinary examination of this Masterpiece to the point were another visit with Scrooge and the Cratchets virtually is required as a follw up to reading 'A Midnight Carol'.

Rating:
Summary: The story behind the story...
Review: This is a thoroughly entertaining story, allowing us into the mind of Charles Dickens.

I honestly do not know if the events depicted in the book are historically accurate, but after reading the story I know two things; one, I don't care if the story is accurate, and two, I was moved enough to want to find out if it was.

For a first novel, this is a real winner. The author clearly establishes the personality of Dickens, and his emotions. I felt quite honestly as if we had a window through which we could view his thinking.

The book shows good research has been made, and although charming and pleasant, it does not shy from the harsh reality of the class struggle in Dickensian London. This enhances the personality of Dickens the author has crafted, and his feelings towards the injustices heaped upon the poor.

The book is nicely laid out, too. The printing has the look of an old-style novel, even though this is a paperback.

The only thing I would call attention to is the ending, which seemed a little too quick. I think the ending could have been drawn out a bit further, and perhaps more fully developed. An afterword about what in the book was fact or fabrication, as well as a brief outline of the real Dickens' actions after the period the story takes place, would have been helpful.

The individual steeped in Dickens lore will undoutedly find some elements of the story "nettlesome", and an end section such as I suggest might have mollified them somewhat.

However, the reading experience was quite good, and I highly recommend the book for fans of "A Christmas Carol" as well as followers of Mr. Dickens.

I'm also looking forward to more work by this author.