The Good King

by Dale R. Long, Meg Simmons (Illustrator)

The Good King, an illustrated Christmas story, is a retelling of John Mason Neale's Christmas carol, Good King Wenceslas.

It is a story of betrayal and faith, of endings and new beginnings and, along the way, a handful of Christmas miracles and a few surprises. This story fills in the blanks left by the carol, as the King's page recounts the last days of King Wenceslas.

38 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2013

About the author

Dale Long grew up with his nose buried in the worlds of Farley Mowat, Agatha Christie and Franklin W. Dixon (AKA Leslie McFarlane et al.). In his teenaged years J.R.R. Tolkien and Piers Anthony became his reading staples. Adulthood saw yet another change as Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Mary Shelley, and Edgar Allan Poe haunted his bookshelf. Dale credits his mix of Newfoundland and Scottish heritage for his story telling knack.

Dale’s deep sense of tradition, liberally peppered with East Coast sensibilities, lends a richness and old school flavour to his writing. When he’s not writing horror, Dale likes to write old fashioned, Dickens-esque Christmas stories, middle grade ghost stories, and collaborate with Tobin Elliott.
Dale's horror alter ego is Robert Edgar Walton.

Reviews

[Aaron Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. I actually first read it several years ago, and I loved how Dale took the inspiration from Good King Wenceslas and turned it into something so much more wonderful. The illustrations added so much to the story. I missed reading it last year, but I am so happy to get to read it again now in 2018!

[Karen Miltchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully creative way of bringing this classic carol to life, through storytelling. My only disappointment is that I didn't discover this story when my kids were younger, so we could start a new Christmas Eve tradition

[Kate Arms · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story should become a new Christmas classic for the whole family. A Christmas miracle tied to a classic carol (Good King Wenceslas) with a delightful twist at the end for the reader who is paying attention. Perfect for reading aloud by fireside on a December evening.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

July was the perfect time for me to read this story. My Christmas spirit isn't overwhelmed by continuous marketing and packaging of Christmas like it is from October - December. A lovely story but there wasn't enough of it. I want to hear more. I finished, wishing it were 300+ pages.

[Samantha Banik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful story will become a tradition in my house along side Twas The Night Before Christmas, the family curled in front of the fire in our pyjamas. Well written with a very neat realization at the end. Thank you, Dale R. Long for capturing the true meaning of Christmas.

[Claire Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Betty Laxson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new Christmas classic, with well done illustrations. Well researched and presented. Happy to recommend.