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The Three Scrooges
Ebenezer Scrooge LOVES Christmas! One Christmas Eve, after Scrooge, his wife and his son have gone to bed, Ebenezer is awoken by a group of strange visitors to his room; the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, as well as two other versions of… himself! One Scrooge is a stingy miser, and the other is a battle-hardened soldier, criss-crossed with scars. The ghosts tell the Scrooges that an event in the past has split their lives into three different courses. This splintering of one life into three has put all of creation at risk. The three Scrooges travel through time once again, but this time, it’s not Ebenezer’s soul at stake, but the whole universe.
- GenresTime Travel
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2016
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35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 5, 2018
Travels to past, present, and future. What would you do if you had the chance to redo something that could change the course of life in its' entirety? Would you be selfish and change things for the better for yourself or would you be a hero and change the course for the better of humanity?
I really enjoyed this author's retelling of A Christmas Carol originally by Charles Dickens. I love how much praise Jeff gave the original author and his attitude about it all. He was very humble with this telling and the foreword.
The Christmas elements along with the time travel aspects were done in a fun manner. I was worried about it being a tad too sci-fi for my liking, but I promise you this was nothing of that sort! This definitely got me in the Christmas spirit! The plot an the characters were... One in a million ;) Deep down I knew the character Scrooge had his side of things and I'm glad the author got to tell it for him.
Much gratitude to the author Jeff Lane for a PDF copy, thank you! All reviews and opinions are my own and voluntary.
I really enjoyed this author's retelling of A Christmas Carol originally by Charles Dickens. I love how much praise Jeff gave the original author and his attitude about it all. He was very humble with this telling and the foreword.
The Christmas elements along with the time travel aspects were done in a fun manner. I was worried about it being a tad too sci-fi for my liking, but I promise you this was nothing of that sort! This definitely got me in the Christmas spirit! The plot an the characters were... One in a million ;) Deep down I knew the character Scrooge had his side of things and I'm glad the author got to tell it for him.
Much gratitude to the author Jeff Lane for a PDF copy, thank you! All reviews and opinions are my own and voluntary.
December 13, 2018
I enjoyed the hell out of this book. If you are anything like me, the idea of reading someone's "new take” on Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ probably makes you fancy plowing screwdrivers into your eyes to escape the utter banality. It’s been done, over done, and over over done. Lane's book, however, left me smiling and the screwdrivers in their toolbox.
The story starts off with an Ebeneezer Scrooge who appears to be from after the three ghosts’ visit. In short order it becomes clear this is not the Ebenezer Scrooge we know at all. It is an entirely different one, from some sort of alternate reality. He also gets a visit from the three ghosts. However, in his visitation it’s the ghosts who need help. The story revolves around some sort of “fracture” that has occurred in the timeline of Ebenezer Scrooge. This fracture has caused three divergent lifelines for the famous miser. The ghosts meet with all three Scrooges, giving them the mission of finding and fixing the fracture.
There is a whole lot to like about this book. As I mentioned above it is almost impossible for anybody to do something new and interesting with Dickens’ story. Lane, however, comes up with a very clever and very different riff on the overdone tale.
The best payoff is at the end of the book. A bit like the Star Wars prequels, you know how this story is going to end. You just aren’t sure how it’s going to get there. Lane manages to arrive at home base in a thrilling, emotional, and unexpected way. That’s more than Lucas was able to do with the prequels. (Yeah, ok, I just sort of said this book was better than Star Wars. That may of may not be true, but I’ve written what I have written. Deal with it.)
The story revolves around three protagonist who are all different versions of the same person. These three proceed through time and space to encounter multiple additional versions of themselves. I am not exactly sure how many different versions of Ebenezer Scrooge we encounter by the end of the book, but it’s a lot. This ought to have been a nightmare of confusion. Lane somehow manages to write in such a way that they never get jumbled up and the reader has no trouble following which Scrooge is being spoken of in any one moment. That’s a pretty neat trick and the sign of good writing.
Something else to appreciate is how Lane manages to mimic the style and format of Dickens. Lane manages to maintain all the flavor of the Victorian novella, yet subtly avoids archaic language that’s distracting and inaccessible to modern readers. Only when I compared it to Dickens did I notice how “modern” it really was. It’s a clever faint.
If you like ‘A Christmas Carol’ (if you don’t, see a doctor), you’ll enjoy this short book. It’s a lot of fun, very clever, and it pays off well in the end. My mother always said to make good choices, and I did Mama proud by picking up this book.
December 20, 2022
The Three Scrooges
In a world that entertainment has used a multiverse as a premise, the Sprites of Jeff Lane Book shows glimpses and a Christmas Carol flipped on its head, without damaging the original Dickens allure and prose of this retelling of a wonderful Classic.
I not going into the premise of the book… it will take an experience away for the reader. but I will tease a bit!
We are now entering the Scroogeverse.. wait a minute!
What!!!!
We start the book the same way.. but it’s rearranged.
Jeff Lane did an incredible job of taken that Dickensonian style we love and Morph into his own Lanesonian style and wins!
Clock’s Strikes .. Ding Dong
The Ebeneezerverse begin with 3!
In all the dialogues without confusion you find that there’s a
Good Scrooge (starts the book) ,Scarred Scrooge and Sour Scrooge.
The three ghosts need there help , a fracture has caused the Ghosts a major problem!
So entertaining.. but it may not be for everyone.. it even took me awhile to just have fun with this Dickensverse!
I give it 4.5 ✨
In a world that entertainment has used a multiverse as a premise, the Sprites of Jeff Lane Book shows glimpses and a Christmas Carol flipped on its head, without damaging the original Dickens allure and prose of this retelling of a wonderful Classic.
I not going into the premise of the book… it will take an experience away for the reader. but I will tease a bit!
We are now entering the Scroogeverse.. wait a minute!
What!!!!
We start the book the same way.. but it’s rearranged.
Jeff Lane did an incredible job of taken that Dickensonian style we love and Morph into his own Lanesonian style and wins!
Clock’s Strikes .. Ding Dong
The Ebeneezerverse begin with 3!
In all the dialogues without confusion you find that there’s a
Good Scrooge (starts the book) ,Scarred Scrooge and Sour Scrooge.
The three ghosts need there help , a fracture has caused the Ghosts a major problem!
So entertaining.. but it may not be for everyone.. it even took me awhile to just have fun with this Dickensverse!
I give it 4.5 ✨
October 5, 2022
Jeff Lane puts an interesting and amusing take on Charles Dickens' beloved tale "A Christmas Carol." I found it to be an enjoyable ride. The twists and turns are very good. This book probably isn't for everyone because this is a beloved Christmas tale world-wide. However, the story isn't perverted in anyway. And, I enjoyed it.
In this book -- there has been a temporal disruption in the universe -- creating divergent pathways in all of creation. And, if there is divergence continues then all of creation shall be destroyed unless it's put back the right way.
As a result of this temporal disruption -- Ebeneezer Scrooge has been divided three ways -- living three divergent lives on different pathways. These distinct three Scrooge characters are called Good Scrooge, Scarred Scrooge and Sour Scrooge.
The three ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet To Come have also been affected. Early on when we meet all three ghosts -- they all look a little sickly. At the midway point -- all three ghosts are near death. And, it's up to the three Scrooges -- all on their own to set things right in the universe. As the story begins -- we are introduced to Good Scrooge. The one who married, had a son Dicky and made Bob Crachit a full partner in the business. Dicky is the same age as Tiny Tim. The only bleak spot is his nephew Fred -- who as the same demeanor as Sour Scrooge -- the one we are all familiar with. And, is an alcoholic. Fred blames Good Scrooge for the death of his mother -- Scrooge's sister Fann. It's on that famed Christmas Eve night -- the three ghosts and the other two versions of Scrooge visit Good Scrooge. And, is given the low down. Scarred Scrooge is the one who has gone off to war -- he's missing two fingers on one hand and has only one eye.
So, with the help of the magical cap -- given to them from the ghost of Christmas Past -- the three Scrooges go off into the past, present and future to set things right.
It's a wild ride. Off in the past -- the three Scrooges see their eight-year old self with Fann and their mother on Christmas Eve day. They are out shopping -- preparing for their Christmas feast. Little Scrooge and Fann are told to wait outside while their mother goes into a shop for little while. And two bullies come upon Scrooge and Fan. And, later on we meet the dad Walston Scrooge. And, we learn how the Scrooge we know became so sour. As I said -- this book probably isn't for everyone. But, I enjoyed it.
In this book -- there has been a temporal disruption in the universe -- creating divergent pathways in all of creation. And, if there is divergence continues then all of creation shall be destroyed unless it's put back the right way.
As a result of this temporal disruption -- Ebeneezer Scrooge has been divided three ways -- living three divergent lives on different pathways. These distinct three Scrooge characters are called Good Scrooge, Scarred Scrooge and Sour Scrooge.
The three ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet To Come have also been affected. Early on when we meet all three ghosts -- they all look a little sickly. At the midway point -- all three ghosts are near death. And, it's up to the three Scrooges -- all on their own to set things right in the universe. As the story begins -- we are introduced to Good Scrooge. The one who married, had a son Dicky and made Bob Crachit a full partner in the business. Dicky is the same age as Tiny Tim. The only bleak spot is his nephew Fred -- who as the same demeanor as Sour Scrooge -- the one we are all familiar with. And, is an alcoholic. Fred blames Good Scrooge for the death of his mother -- Scrooge's sister Fann. It's on that famed Christmas Eve night -- the three ghosts and the other two versions of Scrooge visit Good Scrooge. And, is given the low down. Scarred Scrooge is the one who has gone off to war -- he's missing two fingers on one hand and has only one eye.
So, with the help of the magical cap -- given to them from the ghost of Christmas Past -- the three Scrooges go off into the past, present and future to set things right.
It's a wild ride. Off in the past -- the three Scrooges see their eight-year old self with Fann and their mother on Christmas Eve day. They are out shopping -- preparing for their Christmas feast. Little Scrooge and Fann are told to wait outside while their mother goes into a shop for little while. And two bullies come upon Scrooge and Fan. And, later on we meet the dad Walston Scrooge. And, we learn how the Scrooge we know became so sour. As I said -- this book probably isn't for everyone. But, I enjoyed it.
February 17, 2018
Who doesn’t love a good Christmas story? Especially one we’re all familiar with but with an ethical twist. Three Scrooges, three ghosts, three periods of time.
Something has happened in the past. Something which now threatens the existence of the future, present, and past. The Scrooges are tasked with searching for the moment which caused the split. If they are unable to find and fix the true path all will be lost.
Who is the true Scrooge? I could only hope it wasn’t the Ebenezer damaged by years of war. Maybe it’s a different version we’ve never met before. One that married his love, fathered a son, and was generous to all. Or is the Scrooge we are familiar with living the true life?
As I read this story I focused on inconsistencies. I analyzed each moment looking for the cause of the split. I read in between the lines. I was determined to figure out the true Ebenezer Scrooge.
This was a fun read. Who knew a Christmas tale could become a thrilling mystery?
Something has happened in the past. Something which now threatens the existence of the future, present, and past. The Scrooges are tasked with searching for the moment which caused the split. If they are unable to find and fix the true path all will be lost.
Who is the true Scrooge? I could only hope it wasn’t the Ebenezer damaged by years of war. Maybe it’s a different version we’ve never met before. One that married his love, fathered a son, and was generous to all. Or is the Scrooge we are familiar with living the true life?
As I read this story I focused on inconsistencies. I analyzed each moment looking for the cause of the split. I read in between the lines. I was determined to figure out the true Ebenezer Scrooge.
This was a fun read. Who knew a Christmas tale could become a thrilling mystery?
February 4, 2018
Really tight time travel/alternate reality paired with Dickens proved to be a winning combination. Has a lot of heart and kept to the spirit of the original Christmas Carol very well. I highly enjoyed this book.
January 8, 2018
Classic! A beautiful adaption of Dickens that shows so much care and love for the original source material. A wonderful read that touches the spirit.
January 23, 2018
Many have read or are at least aware of the timeless classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This novel is a new twist on a wonderful classic, yet still brings forward something new. Ebenezer Scrooge wakes on Christmas eve to find a group of unusual visitors in his room. He finds the figures to be the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, but what concerns him most are the two figures that look to be non other than different variations of himself. One is our typical Scrooge, known to be stingy and selfish as in the classic tale. The second is one who seems to have been hardened by battle and is covered in scars. They discover that at some point, an event caused their life to split into three different paths. This disastrous event has not only impacted the three Scrooges, but everything in existence. Together they must travel through time and uncover what point in their lives caused such a tragic ending. Which path is the right one? Will they be able to work together to save the entire universe itself?
The first thing that caught my eye about this book was that it is written using the same language style as the original classic tale. This warmed my heart. I love seeing that a new twist can be made while still keeping components of the original that made it timeless. This book not only holds onto the language used, but the insightfulness as well. The Three Scrooges holds a much deeper meaning, just as A Christmas Carol does. From reading the timeless tale, we know about being kind to others, being selfless…which is more true now that ever. This new rendition brings forth another powerful lesson for its readers.
In our lives we are faced with decisions on a daily basis. Ones that are difficult, hurt those we love, hurt ourselves, or even ones that we think have no impact on anything. I know that my life has been riddled with these difficult decisions that impact my entire family. It is not easy to make big decisions, and the one that benefits us personally is not always the right one to choose. This story shows the reader that we are all faced with difficult decisions, and that one event can change the entire course of our lives. The willingness to talk to someone rather than ignore them can change who you become as a person in the future. We need to be strong and make the hard choices.
We are all brought up being taught to know right from wrong. Often that distinction becomes blurry. Here, we learn that the choice that gives us the most happiness and joy, may not actually be the right one. We need to take into consideration those around us, others who are affected by our daily choices. No matter the choice we choose, there will always be positives and negative associated with it.
I really enjoyed this book and all that it brought to the table. Each version of Scrooge was unique and had new traits. It was neat seeing how each version interacted with the others and how they evolved through their time travels. If you love a book that spins off of a classic, or has deeper meaning for the readers…this is the book for you. How can you get a better rendition than one that holds meaning and lessons that become timeless. These lessons are what make books classics.
The first thing that caught my eye about this book was that it is written using the same language style as the original classic tale. This warmed my heart. I love seeing that a new twist can be made while still keeping components of the original that made it timeless. This book not only holds onto the language used, but the insightfulness as well. The Three Scrooges holds a much deeper meaning, just as A Christmas Carol does. From reading the timeless tale, we know about being kind to others, being selfless…which is more true now that ever. This new rendition brings forth another powerful lesson for its readers.
In our lives we are faced with decisions on a daily basis. Ones that are difficult, hurt those we love, hurt ourselves, or even ones that we think have no impact on anything. I know that my life has been riddled with these difficult decisions that impact my entire family. It is not easy to make big decisions, and the one that benefits us personally is not always the right one to choose. This story shows the reader that we are all faced with difficult decisions, and that one event can change the entire course of our lives. The willingness to talk to someone rather than ignore them can change who you become as a person in the future. We need to be strong and make the hard choices.
We are all brought up being taught to know right from wrong. Often that distinction becomes blurry. Here, we learn that the choice that gives us the most happiness and joy, may not actually be the right one. We need to take into consideration those around us, others who are affected by our daily choices. No matter the choice we choose, there will always be positives and negative associated with it.
I really enjoyed this book and all that it brought to the table. Each version of Scrooge was unique and had new traits. It was neat seeing how each version interacted with the others and how they evolved through their time travels. If you love a book that spins off of a classic, or has deeper meaning for the readers…this is the book for you. How can you get a better rendition than one that holds meaning and lessons that become timeless. These lessons are what make books classics.
December 15, 2017
I can't even begin to count the many different variations of Scrooge that I've read, seen, and heard over the years, but I do remember that most of those are basically the same story - Don't mess with a classic, right? With that in mind, I started this one with some hesitation. That hesitation didn't make past the first chapter and I was so drawn in that I read it in one sitting. What I found was a unique and imaginative take on the classic Dickens tale. The style is wonderfully reminiscent of the classic, fantastically blended with an original plot. We still get the visits from our lesson teaching ghosts, but they have a different goal for Ebenezer, or should I say, Ebenezers since we have three. Three very different versions of one man have made a mess of things and it's up to them to fix it. I won't go into the details of each Scrooge in this compelling read - you have to read it to fully appreciate all three as they travel through time to find the event that created them.
With The Three Scrooges, Jeff Lane has given me a new tradition to add to my list each holiday season. I highly recommend this beautifully written tale to anyone who loves the classic and to those looking for something a little different in a holiday read.
With The Three Scrooges, Jeff Lane has given me a new tradition to add to my list each holiday season. I highly recommend this beautifully written tale to anyone who loves the classic and to those looking for something a little different in a holiday read.
August 9, 2018
Do you remember reading the timeless classic “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens?
If you do remember, you can’t forget the character Ebenezer Scrooge!
Well, it is the very same story …but with some alterations by the author!
Here, in the start of the book you will NOT find a surly & greedy Ebenezer Scrooge but one who is a grateful, optimistic, charitable and generous person. Not only that, but also he is happily married and is a loving father to a child! How did this happen, you ask?
Well, I won’t tell you! It is for you to read and find out the reason behind this change in the story! Although, I can give you a hint! It was an event in his life that split his natural line of life into three! Yes, three! One being the ‘Good’ Scrooge, one ‘Sour’ Scrooge and the last being ‘Scarred’ Scrooge! Interesting, no?
Join the three Scrooges as well as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in their mission to “save all Christmases and all days to come”!
A bit complicated than the original story (due to three lives being involved rather than one), ‘The Three Scrooges’ has a lot of heart – touching moments and good spirit, making it a nice Christmas read.
If you do remember, you can’t forget the character Ebenezer Scrooge!
Well, it is the very same story …but with some alterations by the author!
Here, in the start of the book you will NOT find a surly & greedy Ebenezer Scrooge but one who is a grateful, optimistic, charitable and generous person. Not only that, but also he is happily married and is a loving father to a child! How did this happen, you ask?
Well, I won’t tell you! It is for you to read and find out the reason behind this change in the story! Although, I can give you a hint! It was an event in his life that split his natural line of life into three! Yes, three! One being the ‘Good’ Scrooge, one ‘Sour’ Scrooge and the last being ‘Scarred’ Scrooge! Interesting, no?
Join the three Scrooges as well as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in their mission to “save all Christmases and all days to come”!
A bit complicated than the original story (due to three lives being involved rather than one), ‘The Three Scrooges’ has a lot of heart – touching moments and good spirit, making it a nice Christmas read.
December 18, 2018
"Back to the Future" meets a "Christmas Carol"
Fun story interwoven with the classic tale of Scrooge. I was constantly guessing about how it would turn out.
Definitely worth reading, if you enjoy "A Christmas Carol" and SciFi/Time Travel.
Fun story interwoven with the classic tale of Scrooge. I was constantly guessing about how it would turn out.
Definitely worth reading, if you enjoy "A Christmas Carol" and SciFi/Time Travel.
April 21, 2020
I bought this book after discovering this Author on Twitter. I must say that I didn't know what to expect . The Three Scrooges was a good read. I am impressed by the way Jeff Lane presented this book about Ebenezer with a twist of his own. Trying to rewrite a classic is hard because people just never forget the original versions but Jeff Lane you did a good job with each character in this book.
August 16, 2019
Jeff Lane definitely made a bold move in trying to re-tell one of the most familiar and beloved stories of all time, but it was worth the risk. Lane does a remarkable job in capturing Dickens' style and humor without alienating modern readers who might find Victorian prose off-putting. The mystery of determining which of the three Scrooges is actually the "true" line, specifically finding out what event in Ebenezer Scrooge's life was the defining moment of his life, is clever and intriguing, and Lane's characterization of the three different alter egos of the protagonist is handled skillfully. Well worth the read!
July 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I like how the author is taking a well- character such as Ebenezer Scrooge, who is known for being unkind to others and totally switches his personality to the warm, kind father expressed in this story. A great book to read during the holiday season!
January 12, 2020
I had a hard time with the idea of this book, primarily because I have lived so long with the story of A Christmas Carol, and Scrooge. Everything about this book collided in my mind with the Dickens story.
December 19, 2018
Bah Humbug! Two lackluster takes on A CHRISTMAS CAROL in a row after reading a string of highly creative Dickens' inspired tales. I continue to pore through more since 'tis the season!
December 20, 2021
Not quite Donnie Darko meets Christmas Carol, but it's in the same zip code. Great prequel to the Dickens classic! It's a short read so you have no excuse to not read it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews