Finding Scrooge: or Another Christmas Carol

by Jason C. McDonald, Samuel Morgainne Blight (Illustrations), Steve Oliver (Foreword)

Once upon a time – of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve…

Bob Cratchit and Ebenezer Scrooge are busy preparing for their holiday celebration. Five years have passed since Scrooge’s miraculous transformation, the strange circumstances of which no one could ever quite account for.

But when Scrooge fails to make his annual appearance at Fred’s dinner party, everyone is alarmed. Nephew Fred, Bob Cratchit, his son Tim, and Martha Cratchit’s fiancé Daniel set out into the grip of a snowstorm to locate Mr. Scrooge. Their journey will take them right into one of the darkest slums of East London, as they discover what it truly means to Keep Christmas Well.

Peppered with original drawings by Samuel Morgainne Blight, Jason C. McDonald’s original sequel to A Christmas Carol recaptures the whimsical voice of Charles Dickens, with a message that is as fresh and relevant today as it was 175 years ago.

73 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2018

About the author

Jason has been telling stories his entire life. He entered the professional writing world at eight years old, joining his mother's formal critique group as a participating member. Since that time, he has written over half a dozen stories in all genres, from murder mystery to high fantasy, children's adventure to historical fiction. His non-fiction work has also been widely read online.

In addition to fiction writing, Jason is a speaker, songwriter, and computer programmer. A traumatic brain injury at age 16 fundamentally changed his outlook on life, ultimately turning his focus to communication and education. The unique blend of these passions, paired with a broad academic background, flavors everything he creates.

Reviews

[Jennifer M. Zeiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the description says, this is a return to Scrooge's life five years after the fateful events in A Christmas Carol. Mr. McDonald has done a wonderful job of recapturing the feel and voice of Charles Dickens in this story. He definitely did his homework not only on the life and culture surrounding Scrooge but also on the book layout for the original story. The lettering, book design, and illustrations echo the original.

If I had to give one critique, it'd be that I would have loved to see a little more from the ghosts of Christmas. Have the characters grow a little more with each encounter. Still, this is a novella and only so much can be given to each part. It is a delightful story to read. If you're looking for a glimpse into the life of Scrooge after the events of the first story, look no further. Finding Scrooge pulls back the curtain for us.

[Dann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles Dickens’ classic tale continues in the novella Finding Scrooge. It has been five years since Ebenezer Scrooge’s encounter with the Christmas ghosts and he has lived up to his word, however when Scrooge missed his annual Christmas dinner with his nephew and friends they begin to suspect that something sinister has befallen him and go looking for Scrooge, tracking him to one of the most dangerous slums in all of London. Author Jason C. McDonald attempts to imitate the narrative style of A Christmas Carol, but he lacks Dickens’ passion and wit. McDonald tries to be a little too clever by working in several turns-of-phrase and callbacks to A Christmas Carol. Still, it’s interesting to see the characters revisited, and he does a fair job at creating mystery and intrigue as to what Scrooge was doing when he went missing and where he’s gone to. Additionally, supplemental materials are included in which McDonald explains the inspirations for the story and the history of The Old Nichol (where the major of the story is set). Sequels to classics are rarely a good idea, but Finding Scrooge isn’t half bad.

[Krysta · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sorry to give this one star. If I were a novella reader I could perhaps appreciate it more. The story was only sweet, it’s just there was nothing to it.

[Jane McArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and Finding Scrooge by Jason C McDonald is even better. It’s always fun to find out what happens to a character that you love, after the original story is finished. And Finding Scrooge tells you just how Ebenezer has fared over the five years since he was visited by the three spirits.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that you’ll be happy to have in your library.

[Joseph Hageman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novella in a couple of hours and Jason did a superb job! He knows the Carol in detail. He writes in Dickens’ style. His followup is very realistic and believable. I have been a Dickens collector for 35 years and I highly recommend it to all...and to all a good night!

[NerdyChic BookWorm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This sequel to ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Dickens is set a few years after the original novel. It is a very short novella (only 68 pages) but it definitely pulled at the heartstrings and has a lot of meaningful messages about kindness and the true spirit of Christmas.
A beautifully written book, much in keeping with the writing style of Dickens himself which was a real joy. Looking forward to reading this every December from now on.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this very short little story, has a real feel for the original and has a great mora message.

[Viana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet story about Scrooge five years on from being visited by the Ghosts.

[CarolynAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS LITTLE NOVELLA! As someone who absolutely loves The Christmas Carol in all renditions and a true believer that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, I am really surprised that I had not heard of this book until it was chosen by my bookclub. It is such a heart-warming, beautiful and fitting story to shine a light on how Scrooge was changed by the visits of the Christmas spirits. I truly believe this will become a Christmas tradition for many families for many years to come.

[Julie Beeman Cfmg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved A Christmas Carol, this is a terrific fan fiction which takes you back to Scrooge 5 years in the future.
"Scrooge is alive, to begin with"