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Peter Cratchit's Christmas Carol
Peter Cratchit, a young lad preparing to make his way in the world, is the eldest son of Scrooge’s lowly clerk Bob Cratchit. Peter flourishes under the tutelage of his “Uncle” Scrooge and seeks to make his mark as a man of business, like his uncle before him.
One Christmas Eve, as Scrooge lays dying, Peter embarks on a risky ocean voyage that he believes will secure the future for his family. Onboard, Peter finds love, happiness, and success, only to lose it all by the voyage’s end.
Returning to London, Peter shuns his family and instead finds himself living on the streets, haunted by his failures and his dead lover, selling his body just to survive while he waits for the winter cold to claim him once and for all. But winter snows also mean Christmas is coming, and for the Cratchit family, Christmas is a time of miracles. Can a visit from three familiar spirits change Peter’s life again? Is there one more miracle in store for the lost son of one of Dickens’ most enduring families?
One Christmas Eve, as Scrooge lays dying, Peter embarks on a risky ocean voyage that he believes will secure the future for his family. Onboard, Peter finds love, happiness, and success, only to lose it all by the voyage’s end.
Returning to London, Peter shuns his family and instead finds himself living on the streets, haunted by his failures and his dead lover, selling his body just to survive while he waits for the winter cold to claim him once and for all. But winter snows also mean Christmas is coming, and for the Cratchit family, Christmas is a time of miracles. Can a visit from three familiar spirits change Peter’s life again? Is there one more miracle in store for the lost son of one of Dickens’ most enduring families?
ebook
First published November 18, 2019
68 people want to read
About the author
Drew Marvin Frayne
5 books10 followersDrew Marvin Frayne is the pen name of a long-time author (Lambda Literary Award finalist) who is finally taking the opportunity to indulge his more sentimental and romantic side. When not writing the author lives with his husband of 20+ years and their dog of 10+ years in a brick home in the Northeast.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 2, 2020
What a beautifully written story! I thoroughly enjoyed Drew Marvin Frayne’s clever adaptation of Dickens’ classic.
In Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol Tiny Tim’s elder brother has his own adventure with the three spirits. I love the way Drew Marvin Frayne crafts this tale. Peter’s adventures are revealed gradually as we discover what kind of man he truly is, and we learn how he ended up in such a low place.
This author writes the classic, historical style absolutely perfectly and he had me completely wrapped up in this marvelous story. I’m looking forward to reading the other books he has published under this pen name.
a copy of Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
In Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol Tiny Tim’s elder brother has his own adventure with the three spirits. I love the way Drew Marvin Frayne crafts this tale. Peter’s adventures are revealed gradually as we discover what kind of man he truly is, and we learn how he ended up in such a low place.
This author writes the classic, historical style absolutely perfectly and he had me completely wrapped up in this marvelous story. I’m looking forward to reading the other books he has published under this pen name.
a copy of Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
July 3, 2021
People the world over love Dicken's A Christmas Carol .... I, however, am not one of them. So I'm always pleasantly surprised when a story based on the classic tale of forgiveness and choices captures and holds my (limited) attention. Frayne takes the familiar structure of the story - the three ghosts and the offer of redemption and transformation - and beautifully tailors them for this tale of a young man's missteps and his second chance.
Peter learns business at the knee of his beloved Uncle Scrooge, but holds tight to his fear - his fear of not being enough, of not providing for his family. "In my experience, there is much to fear in this world, and much calamity the world will set upon the unwary soul who is not ever vigilant." This leads him to a high risk, high reward endeavor that brings him the love of Augie - a brawny burly Scotsman with a tender heart - but ends in tragedy.
Peter holds tight to his pain, indulging in his grief and living on the streets awaiting his death. Peter's first ghost is in the guise of his first innocent love and the lingering sweetness and tenderness at odds with Peter's current mindset. With his second ghost, Peter finally learns that we create our own ghosts. "It was not he who was hounding me to the grave, but rather I, in my own great yearning to punish myself who had prevented him from moving on."
I received an ARC from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Stop by my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Peter learns business at the knee of his beloved Uncle Scrooge, but holds tight to his fear - his fear of not being enough, of not providing for his family. "In my experience, there is much to fear in this world, and much calamity the world will set upon the unwary soul who is not ever vigilant." This leads him to a high risk, high reward endeavor that brings him the love of Augie - a brawny burly Scotsman with a tender heart - but ends in tragedy.
Peter holds tight to his pain, indulging in his grief and living on the streets awaiting his death. Peter's first ghost is in the guise of his first innocent love and the lingering sweetness and tenderness at odds with Peter's current mindset. With his second ghost, Peter finally learns that we create our own ghosts. "It was not he who was hounding me to the grave, but rather I, in my own great yearning to punish myself who had prevented him from moving on."
These things are real [...] and yet does their reality not come from the attention we pay them mind? Is it not the choice of every man to dwell in darkness or in light?With his final ghost, Peter makes the choice to dwell in the light of forgiveness and gratitude and carves out for himself a well-deserved HEA. The author's twist on the classic tale is beautifully done and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Stop by my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
December 2, 2019
4.5 Stars
Nice storytelling from the author. It imparts a good sense of time and place. The period world building is strong with good character development in a 36,000 word novella.
It has a gritty feel that's in keeping with the period and the subject.
Gay fiction/romance. The publisher have a couple of warning tags that are worth heeding.
Slightly longer written review (with podcast) at-
Nice storytelling from the author. It imparts a good sense of time and place. The period world building is strong with good character development in a 36,000 word novella.
It has a gritty feel that's in keeping with the period and the subject.
Gay fiction/romance. The publisher have a couple of warning tags that are worth heeding.
Slightly longer written review (with podcast) at-
January 17, 2020
4.5 Stars
Drew Marvin Frayne did a cracker job of taking the threads of a Christmas Carol and reweaving them into Peter Cratchit’s tale. The story was familiar enough to fall into easily, but then took a hard left into something completely unique.
This is definitely not Scrooge’s story, but he does have a strong influence as a man who has redeemed himself and turned from a miserly man to an “uncle” and benefactor to not only his family, but the the Cratchit family as well. Under Scrooge’s tutelage, Peter has learned the mechanics of business and wants nothing more than to provide for his entire family.
Well, as we’ve all heard, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and Peter is basically made up of good intentions from stem to stern. And he has the kind of good intentions that are laced with a good dose of hubris that can only be afforded to the young. His drive to provide for his family sent him around the world, into the arms of a wonderful man and ultimately to heartbreak and ruin.
And while Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol does have an ‘epic journey’ type flavor, it’s ultimately a story about redemption. Peter has a comfortable life with a loving family, he wants to cement their future in comfort and along the way he negotiates all the wins and meets the love of his life. Through betrayal he loses everything, including himself. He blames himself, understandably so, even though that blame isn’t well placed. He’s given up and the description of his life on the streets is heartbreaking. He tells his story with a disconnected air and his voice makes his tale even more bleak and sad. Add to that, Peter is a bit of a fatalist in his views, so he has a lot to overcome and learn.
It wouldn’t be a Christmas Carol without ghosts who make it all worse though, so enter the ghosties! I liked reading his history through his visions and his Uncle Scrooge always told him he wasn’t seeing the nuances of what was in front of him, instead Peter saw what was happening literally and through the lens of a slightly self centered young man. That’s not a dig by any means, it’s just how the very young work (in general) and Peter had to fall and get the three part ghost tour to see that. Uncle Scrooge was a very wise man.
As the story progressed Peter learned that there was so much more to everything he assumed and the ghosts opened his eyes and reading Peter’s epiphany felt so good. There was an air of hope that grew as the story progressed, it was subtle, but it was there. There was still plenty of pain for Peter to go through, but the ghosts kept coming, and they showed him the good and the bad, reminiscent of his Uncle’s Christmas Carol, and we all know how that turned out. Good things were to come.
The resolution was perfect, satisfying but not so perfect that it cheapened the journey. Peter was made whole and he grew exponentially. The romance may not have been center stage as such, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a driving force for Peter. The resolution there was bittersweet, but oh so good at the same time. I do love the different takes on a Christmas Carol, from the classic, to the Muppets, to Bill Murray to Guy Pearce, but I have to say, Peter Cratchit’s is my new favorite.
a copy of this story was provided for an honest review
Drew Marvin Frayne did a cracker job of taking the threads of a Christmas Carol and reweaving them into Peter Cratchit’s tale. The story was familiar enough to fall into easily, but then took a hard left into something completely unique.
This is definitely not Scrooge’s story, but he does have a strong influence as a man who has redeemed himself and turned from a miserly man to an “uncle” and benefactor to not only his family, but the the Cratchit family as well. Under Scrooge’s tutelage, Peter has learned the mechanics of business and wants nothing more than to provide for his entire family.
Well, as we’ve all heard, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and Peter is basically made up of good intentions from stem to stern. And he has the kind of good intentions that are laced with a good dose of hubris that can only be afforded to the young. His drive to provide for his family sent him around the world, into the arms of a wonderful man and ultimately to heartbreak and ruin.
And while Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol does have an ‘epic journey’ type flavor, it’s ultimately a story about redemption. Peter has a comfortable life with a loving family, he wants to cement their future in comfort and along the way he negotiates all the wins and meets the love of his life. Through betrayal he loses everything, including himself. He blames himself, understandably so, even though that blame isn’t well placed. He’s given up and the description of his life on the streets is heartbreaking. He tells his story with a disconnected air and his voice makes his tale even more bleak and sad. Add to that, Peter is a bit of a fatalist in his views, so he has a lot to overcome and learn.
It wouldn’t be a Christmas Carol without ghosts who make it all worse though, so enter the ghosties! I liked reading his history through his visions and his Uncle Scrooge always told him he wasn’t seeing the nuances of what was in front of him, instead Peter saw what was happening literally and through the lens of a slightly self centered young man. That’s not a dig by any means, it’s just how the very young work (in general) and Peter had to fall and get the three part ghost tour to see that. Uncle Scrooge was a very wise man.
As the story progressed Peter learned that there was so much more to everything he assumed and the ghosts opened his eyes and reading Peter’s epiphany felt so good. There was an air of hope that grew as the story progressed, it was subtle, but it was there. There was still plenty of pain for Peter to go through, but the ghosts kept coming, and they showed him the good and the bad, reminiscent of his Uncle’s Christmas Carol, and we all know how that turned out. Good things were to come.
The resolution was perfect, satisfying but not so perfect that it cheapened the journey. Peter was made whole and he grew exponentially. The romance may not have been center stage as such, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a driving force for Peter. The resolution there was bittersweet, but oh so good at the same time. I do love the different takes on a Christmas Carol, from the classic, to the Muppets, to Bill Murray to Guy Pearce, but I have to say, Peter Cratchit’s is my new favorite.
a copy of this story was provided for an honest review
November 23, 2019
Tiny Tim’s big brother Peter has his own encounter with the sprits of past, present, and future as this tale of a young man who sets out to prove to his family, including Uncle Scrooge, that he is worthy of the lessons taught by the former miser and now benefactor of Peter’s family.
He finds love and fortune but then makes poor decisions which result in his return to England a pauper and only able to earn money for food and shelter by working the streets.
A completely different take on the original and outstanding in its own way. Peter is haunted by the ghost of his long-lost lover and too shamed to visit the family he loves. As Christmas Eve approaches, however, Peter is in for a shock because his ghostly lover is just one of the three spirits who visit him to upend his beliefs and show him the way back to family and love.
I loved, loved, loved this tale. It’s definitely one I plan to read each year and I highly recommend it to my Goodreads friends.
He finds love and fortune but then makes poor decisions which result in his return to England a pauper and only able to earn money for food and shelter by working the streets.
A completely different take on the original and outstanding in its own way. Peter is haunted by the ghost of his long-lost lover and too shamed to visit the family he loves. As Christmas Eve approaches, however, Peter is in for a shock because his ghostly lover is just one of the three spirits who visit him to upend his beliefs and show him the way back to family and love.
I loved, loved, loved this tale. It’s definitely one I plan to read each year and I highly recommend it to my Goodreads friends.
November 20, 2019
What an interesting take on a classic! Peter Cratchit is living on the streets after enduring many hardships, and has basically resigned himself to dying, when he has an encounter with 3 familiar Christmas ghosts.
This book tried its damnedest to make me cry, but I managed to pull through. Peter's story was beautifully written, and the scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Past were absolutely heartbreaking. The story is a bit cheesy, but the subject and the season call for it, I think. It's not a bad cheesiness - it's just the right amount of cheese.
This book tried its damnedest to make me cry, but I managed to pull through. Peter's story was beautifully written, and the scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Past were absolutely heartbreaking. The story is a bit cheesy, but the subject and the season call for it, I think. It's not a bad cheesiness - it's just the right amount of cheese.
April 30, 2023
This was wonderful. I haven't been so enamored of anything new in ages. The Dickensian prose, the era-appropriate flourishes, the heart-wrenching despair followed by up-lifting hope, this book just killed me. Murdered me dead. How very dare you, sir!
On one hand, I wish I'd read this sooner; on the other hand, I wish I'd waited until later, since I'm sure the rest of the holiday stories I read this year will pale in comparison. Perhaps I'll embark on a re-read next month on Christmas Eve. Why wait? Perhaps I'll do it now.
On one hand, I wish I'd read this sooner; on the other hand, I wish I'd waited until later, since I'm sure the rest of the holiday stories I read this year will pale in comparison. Perhaps I'll embark on a re-read next month on Christmas Eve. Why wait? Perhaps I'll do it now.
December 25, 2019
This was a really fun read and perfect for christmas. I’m still confused as to why Peter needed his own christmas carol. I liked that this one seemed more about helping someone in need instead of reforming a terrible person.
December 24, 2019
So much wonderfulness to unpack here!
November 20, 2019
I thought this was a delightful and fresh take on the classic Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol. I enjoyed reading a continuation of the story from Peter's point of view and how he navigates through life and love. If you're looking for a quick and interesting Christmas read, this is the one for you!
I received a copy of this book from the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design and voluntarily provided my honest review.
For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.
I received a copy of this book from the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design and voluntarily provided my honest review.
For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.
November 13, 2019
Based some time after the original story, this tale follows one of Bob Cratchit’s sons. Written in the first person it presents a young man that has fallen as low as he can with no hope of anything other than a sad death. How he got to this point forms much of the early part of the book. The author then uses a similar mechanism to Dickens to get the central character to reflect on those circumstances and see them in a different light.
The style of writing is in keeping with novels of the era, although there are clear modernisms that allow the reader to more readily gain an affinity with the central character. These fit neatly within the overall style. Characterisation is strong with well-developed central and peripheral characters within the constraints of the novella structure. Descriptions of individual characteristics are clear and all characters are well differentiated.
Environmental descriptions are very good, there is a level of detail that allows the reader to understand and have empathy for the context of each of the scenes. The story is set in a number of locations over time and each has clear features that help to support the narrative.
Sex is described clearly and very effectively. It reflects the circumstances and the nature of the relationship at a given time. It is interesting that the author is able to do this within such a short story. Where passion is described it fits with the age and experiences of the central character at that time.
The story flows at a steady pace. There is quite a lot of reflection, but this still helps to support the forward movement of the story. It is a tale that holds the attention throughout and could very easily keep the reader through to the end in a single sitting.
As the story progresses, the overlaps between this and the earlier story become apparent and it is a credit to the author that these are handled with care. This story weaves in and out of the other story but is unique and easily differentiated. The resolution is, of course, predictable and mirrors what is already known. This is a story that has a moral, similar to that of the other book but told from a different perspective.
The writing style throughout is very strong and as a seasonal read, it is very highly recommended.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
The style of writing is in keeping with novels of the era, although there are clear modernisms that allow the reader to more readily gain an affinity with the central character. These fit neatly within the overall style. Characterisation is strong with well-developed central and peripheral characters within the constraints of the novella structure. Descriptions of individual characteristics are clear and all characters are well differentiated.
Environmental descriptions are very good, there is a level of detail that allows the reader to understand and have empathy for the context of each of the scenes. The story is set in a number of locations over time and each has clear features that help to support the narrative.
Sex is described clearly and very effectively. It reflects the circumstances and the nature of the relationship at a given time. It is interesting that the author is able to do this within such a short story. Where passion is described it fits with the age and experiences of the central character at that time.
The story flows at a steady pace. There is quite a lot of reflection, but this still helps to support the forward movement of the story. It is a tale that holds the attention throughout and could very easily keep the reader through to the end in a single sitting.
As the story progresses, the overlaps between this and the earlier story become apparent and it is a credit to the author that these are handled with care. This story weaves in and out of the other story but is unique and easily differentiated. The resolution is, of course, predictable and mirrors what is already known. This is a story that has a moral, similar to that of the other book but told from a different perspective.
The writing style throughout is very strong and as a seasonal read, it is very highly recommended.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
December 17, 2019
Review excerpted from my blog post over at Pan/Cis LGBT2SQ+ Romance Reviews (https://pancis.wordpress.com/2019/12/...)
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ ebook collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
Number of titles I have read by this author: 1
Love story speed: Fast – but not the focus
Relationship dynamics: Undefined – not the focus
Sexual content: Some, explicit and “on-screen”; only some of it is romantic; most consists of descriptions of sexual acts performed for personal gain or as paid acts of prostitution
Gender Identity: Cis (only defined for the main character)
Sexual Identity: Gay (only defined for the main character)
Triggers: Prostitution (due to poverty); descriptions of physical abuse; homelessness.
Acceptance Rating: 3 stars
Acceptance Rating Explanation: We know that society is not accepting, but family support is strong in this novella.
Grammar/Editing: There were a couple of typos in my ARC, but nothing major.
Review: This fast-paced novella set in Victorian London has a very Dickensian writing style (on purpose), and, quite frankly, reuses a significant amount of the original dialogue for authenticity of both the story and the atmosphere. The development of the main character is not precisely the same as Scrooge, and it does feel like the reused dialogue forces the positive “transformation” on Peter. His clueless to clued-in transition is not as smooth as Scrooge’s, although I can appreciate what the author has done with the plot. With regard to the romantic elements of the story, Peter’s relationships are both tender and racy, but again, not the focus of the story, to my mind. The recurring supporting characters are all lovely and consistent with Dickens’ original (which I have read several times), and the new supporting characters are both interesting and engaging. A solid effort at a re-imagining of this classic story.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ ebook collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
Number of titles I have read by this author: 1
Love story speed: Fast – but not the focus
Relationship dynamics: Undefined – not the focus
Sexual content: Some, explicit and “on-screen”; only some of it is romantic; most consists of descriptions of sexual acts performed for personal gain or as paid acts of prostitution
Gender Identity: Cis (only defined for the main character)
Sexual Identity: Gay (only defined for the main character)
Triggers: Prostitution (due to poverty); descriptions of physical abuse; homelessness.
Acceptance Rating: 3 stars
Acceptance Rating Explanation: We know that society is not accepting, but family support is strong in this novella.
Grammar/Editing: There were a couple of typos in my ARC, but nothing major.
Review: This fast-paced novella set in Victorian London has a very Dickensian writing style (on purpose), and, quite frankly, reuses a significant amount of the original dialogue for authenticity of both the story and the atmosphere. The development of the main character is not precisely the same as Scrooge, and it does feel like the reused dialogue forces the positive “transformation” on Peter. His clueless to clued-in transition is not as smooth as Scrooge’s, although I can appreciate what the author has done with the plot. With regard to the romantic elements of the story, Peter’s relationships are both tender and racy, but again, not the focus of the story, to my mind. The recurring supporting characters are all lovely and consistent with Dickens’ original (which I have read several times), and the new supporting characters are both interesting and engaging. A solid effort at a re-imagining of this classic story.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2021
I'm just going to say it: this was amazing!
It never really dawned on me to see if there was any Xmas Carol stories in the LGBT genre but when this one crossed my path, I was intrigued from the beginning. Not only was it a Dickens' style story but it involves his characters and I was very interested to see how the author would bring them to life. The reasons behind Peter's ghostly visitors may be a bit different than Scrooge's but never the less poignant. My heart broke for Peter at times, I found myself internally screaming wanting to make Peter see this way or that, to turn left instead of right, but the author had Peter's journey set and I was just along for the ride.
If you are simply expecting a gay retelling of the Charles Dickens classic than you will be disappointed, Peter Cratchit's Christmas Carol is the character's own story, yes he knows his Uncle Scrooge's holiday adventure, yes he's visited by his own three spirits, yes he has to learn his lessons, to discover what is important in life but they are different lessons and that is what makes this story so good. A blending of classic and new.
I've only ever read one other Drew Marvin Frayne before(and it was just a few weeks ago and another Christmas short) and to be perfectly frank, I was skeptical about an author "tinkering around in Dickens' playground" but I needn't have been because the author makes this story unique, intriguing, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and one that should be read any time of year. Charles Dickins' A Christmas Carol is my absolute favorite Christmas story and one I read, watch, listen to every holiday season multiple times, now I may not read Peter Cratchit's Christmas Carol every year but I will definitely re-visit it for years to come. As I said above, Drew Marvin Frayne's take is a blending of classic and new, not a re-telling in any way, shape, or form but if you need a label or tag then I suppose "sequel" probably best describes it. Whatever label you want to use, it is not to be missed.
It never really dawned on me to see if there was any Xmas Carol stories in the LGBT genre but when this one crossed my path, I was intrigued from the beginning. Not only was it a Dickens' style story but it involves his characters and I was very interested to see how the author would bring them to life. The reasons behind Peter's ghostly visitors may be a bit different than Scrooge's but never the less poignant. My heart broke for Peter at times, I found myself internally screaming wanting to make Peter see this way or that, to turn left instead of right, but the author had Peter's journey set and I was just along for the ride.
If you are simply expecting a gay retelling of the Charles Dickens classic than you will be disappointed, Peter Cratchit's Christmas Carol is the character's own story, yes he knows his Uncle Scrooge's holiday adventure, yes he's visited by his own three spirits, yes he has to learn his lessons, to discover what is important in life but they are different lessons and that is what makes this story so good. A blending of classic and new.
I've only ever read one other Drew Marvin Frayne before(and it was just a few weeks ago and another Christmas short) and to be perfectly frank, I was skeptical about an author "tinkering around in Dickens' playground" but I needn't have been because the author makes this story unique, intriguing, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and one that should be read any time of year. Charles Dickins' A Christmas Carol is my absolute favorite Christmas story and one I read, watch, listen to every holiday season multiple times, now I may not read Peter Cratchit's Christmas Carol every year but I will definitely re-visit it for years to come. As I said above, Drew Marvin Frayne's take is a blending of classic and new, not a re-telling in any way, shape, or form but if you need a label or tag then I suppose "sequel" probably best describes it. Whatever label you want to use, it is not to be missed.
December 6, 2019
“Remember the past, plan for the future, but live for today, because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.” ~ Jerry Rice
Peter Cratchit, of ‘Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol’ by Drew Marvin Frane, is presently living with past regrets and fears for the future. When what was to be Peter’s great adventure ends in failure, he decides that suffering is preferable to swallowing his pride and going back home.
This Christmas Eve, Peter has given up; he has decided that death is preferable to the life he is now leading. To his surprise, he is visited by a spirit, just as his Uncle Scrooge was in the past. The spirit takes him to a scene from his past, where he was happy and loved; the memories are bittersweet, because, due to his ignorance and unworldliness, Peter wasn’t able to trust himself enough to embrace life as it was, rather than how he thought it should be. They move on to other scenes in his life, both happy and sad, but the constant in them all is that of his family’s love. At each stop, Peter pleads for the spirit to take him away from the painful memories; the spirit keeps repeating that he needs not only to look but to see. Whatever Peter experiences, one fact remains, Peter needs to reach his own conclusions and decide whether to stay on the destructive path he is presently following, or change it while he still has the opportunity.
This story was an interesting take on ‘the Scrooge’ story, complete with a gay main character. Peter’s visits, although different from Ebenezer’s experience, are designed to allow the character to face reality and make him question whether or not it was what he wanted for the rest of his life and beyond. Thanks, Drew, for a unique view of the tale.
Peter Cratchit, of ‘Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol’ by Drew Marvin Frane, is presently living with past regrets and fears for the future. When what was to be Peter’s great adventure ends in failure, he decides that suffering is preferable to swallowing his pride and going back home.
This Christmas Eve, Peter has given up; he has decided that death is preferable to the life he is now leading. To his surprise, he is visited by a spirit, just as his Uncle Scrooge was in the past. The spirit takes him to a scene from his past, where he was happy and loved; the memories are bittersweet, because, due to his ignorance and unworldliness, Peter wasn’t able to trust himself enough to embrace life as it was, rather than how he thought it should be. They move on to other scenes in his life, both happy and sad, but the constant in them all is that of his family’s love. At each stop, Peter pleads for the spirit to take him away from the painful memories; the spirit keeps repeating that he needs not only to look but to see. Whatever Peter experiences, one fact remains, Peter needs to reach his own conclusions and decide whether to stay on the destructive path he is presently following, or change it while he still has the opportunity.
This story was an interesting take on ‘the Scrooge’ story, complete with a gay main character. Peter’s visits, although different from Ebenezer’s experience, are designed to allow the character to face reality and make him question whether or not it was what he wanted for the rest of his life and beyond. Thanks, Drew, for a unique view of the tale.
November 15, 2019
Peter Cratchitt is the brother of Tiny Tim! He's had a rough life when the reader first meets him. In Peter Cratchit's Christmas Carol, Peter is barely scraping together enough food to survive. In exchange for sexual favors, men give him much-needed scraps of food and some warmth in his otherwise cold existence.
It's been a long road to where Peter Cratchitt is now. This story picks up shortly after the original work left off. Peter sets off on a voyage to make his fortune and take care of his family. On his voyage, he meets and falls in love with Augie. In their time together, they become very close and Peter experiences love for the first time. He's content until things take a dark turn and everything begins to go wrong.
I loved this story even though parts of it were sad, other parts bitter-sweet. It is closely based on the original Christmas Carol and the author has done a great job of keeping the right atmosphere and language to go with the original. The writing is accessible and in the right style at the same time.
The atmosphere of the time is dark and a bit dismal at times...but that's in keeping with the time period in which the story is set. It was, no doubt, difficult to live without an income in Dickensian times. Peter is living a hard life ... and thinks that he can't possibly be of any benefit to his family. I suppose we all have moments like that.
This is a great holiday story... and a lovely tribute to Dickens' well-loved tale.
It's been a long road to where Peter Cratchitt is now. This story picks up shortly after the original work left off. Peter sets off on a voyage to make his fortune and take care of his family. On his voyage, he meets and falls in love with Augie. In their time together, they become very close and Peter experiences love for the first time. He's content until things take a dark turn and everything begins to go wrong.
I loved this story even though parts of it were sad, other parts bitter-sweet. It is closely based on the original Christmas Carol and the author has done a great job of keeping the right atmosphere and language to go with the original. The writing is accessible and in the right style at the same time.
The atmosphere of the time is dark and a bit dismal at times...but that's in keeping with the time period in which the story is set. It was, no doubt, difficult to live without an income in Dickensian times. Peter is living a hard life ... and thinks that he can't possibly be of any benefit to his family. I suppose we all have moments like that.
This is a great holiday story... and a lovely tribute to Dickens' well-loved tale.
November 23, 2019
I received a copy of Peter Cratchit’s Christmas Carol by Drew Marvin Frayne via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read other pastiches of A Christmas Carol, but Frayne’s is the most interesting for following a minor character and giving him a rich life of his own. Peter, unlike his brother Tim, seems to take good fate and turn it into bad. At first, I found him whiny until I knew his backstory, then he became a tragic hero. I enjoyed the author’s intention to widen the world of the Cratchits, which helped keep the story from being claustrophobic in London town. While expecting a happy ending (this is a holiday story after all), how it was to be achieved was not obvious, making for a more enjoyable story.
November 24, 2020
I don't know what to think about this book. Like it was very much reminiscent of the Christmas Carol in a lot of ways and I was told that the writing was very Charles Dickens like but I just had a hard time getting into the book. Like with MC starting out being a penniless whore, I just had a hard time trying to wrap my head around it. Then going through each of the ghosts and trying to keep up with what happened in his past and why he continues to torment himself. Then before I know it I'm thrust back into the present and all of a sudden he's flirting with a random stranger he saw in a vision. It was a lot to take in and keep straight in my head. Still, it wasn't a bad story just not my normal cup of tea.
November 16, 2019
(Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review — thank you!)
Peter Cratchit, son of Bob from the original story, has fallen on hard times (understatement) due to a combination of bad luck and bad choices. Then, one fateful Christmas Eve, three ghosts visit him to show him what was, is, and will be.
This tribute to A Christmas Carol was exceedingly beautiful in conception and execution. I was a bit :( when I began the story, because it starts on a very dark, cynical note, what with Peter’s situation in life being what it is. But it ends very happily, and for that I am grateful to the Mysterious Author.
Peter Cratchit, son of Bob from the original story, has fallen on hard times (understatement) due to a combination of bad luck and bad choices. Then, one fateful Christmas Eve, three ghosts visit him to show him what was, is, and will be.
This tribute to A Christmas Carol was exceedingly beautiful in conception and execution. I was a bit :( when I began the story, because it starts on a very dark, cynical note, what with Peter’s situation in life being what it is. But it ends very happily, and for that I am grateful to the Mysterious Author.
December 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this. I thought Author Frayne had perfect use of the language and tone to make this work. I didn't find it overly sentimental, instead it is a beautiful lesson in unconditional love. No life is perfect but there is always the promise of hope. This compliments the Dicken's original but doesn't rely on it for the enjoyment of this as a standalone book. Some readers may find it a little dark and depressing- yet it captures the period perfectly, accentuating that hope and love conquers all.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2022
A worthy enterprise
This was a brave thing to attempt and I think it pays off very well. While it is very recognisable as having been written in the framework of 'A Christmas Carol' the author resists the temptation of retelling the story with different characters. He also does a good job of capturing some of the dark atmosphere of the original.
Dickens was not known for explicit sexual descriptions of course, but he was writing in the mid-19th Century. We can only speculate what he'd write now.
A worthy enterprise in my opinion.
This was a brave thing to attempt and I think it pays off very well. While it is very recognisable as having been written in the framework of 'A Christmas Carol' the author resists the temptation of retelling the story with different characters. He also does a good job of capturing some of the dark atmosphere of the original.
Dickens was not known for explicit sexual descriptions of course, but he was writing in the mid-19th Century. We can only speculate what he'd write now.
A worthy enterprise in my opinion.
December 5, 2019
I love "A Christmas Carol" so I went into this w high hopes and this book did not disappoint! I cried and I might have yelled at Peter more than once!! But oh the journey was so worth it!! It had some filthy sex and some sweet tender love scenes that made me tear up...and the lessons learned of course made the ending very 'Christmas Carol-y'. I loved every minute!
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2019
at 17% I was already bawling my eyes out. A Christmas Carol is one of my all-time favorite stories, and every Christmas I devoured whatever version of the movies were sent. This retelling was well written, and while it was made into a gay, romantic story, the spirit of the original seemed contained within it.
The main character, Peter hit my heart with a boom, and his loss and choices along the way - both good and bad, made a tearful and heartwarm impression on me.
The main character, Peter hit my heart with a boom, and his loss and choices along the way - both good and bad, made a tearful and heartwarm impression on me.
January 10, 2020
An interesting take on A Christmas Carol. The prose style really helps the setting. The romance is not the main focus, so maybe not for people looking for a quick romance read. All in all a fun quick read.
December 17, 2020
I love the Christmas Carol and this is a worthy companion to be reread at Christmas time. It has grit, darkness and study into the wrongs in society at that time which is Dickensian but also passion, love and the warmth of the Christmas spirit like the original.
December 15, 2019
A powerful retelling of a classic Christmas story that keeps the charm of the original plot but with a magic of its own. Wonderful!
December 9, 2019
I read this book early thanks to #NetGalley!
This book started out very Dickensian, but then went pretty erotic at points. I didn't see that coming at all. It wasn't really my cup of tea, but I finished it. All of the usual Christmas Carol tropes were there, and that was nice. I guess I just felt like the erotic bits could have been implied instead of fleshed out.
This book started out very Dickensian, but then went pretty erotic at points. I didn't see that coming at all. It wasn't really my cup of tea, but I finished it. All of the usual Christmas Carol tropes were there, and that was nice. I guess I just felt like the erotic bits could have been implied instead of fleshed out.
May 23, 2024
Having read A Christmas Carol very recently, it was interesting to compare this to the original. Peter is living rough and has to turn to sex work to survive, but then he has the same experience as his Uncle Scrooge with three ghosts appearing before him. Very true to the Dickensian style; I just wish we'd had a little more time after the apparitions to enjoy the present of Christmas. Tho the ending was a bit rushed, I'd still heartily recommend it.
December 30, 2023
i dont remember there being this many sex scenes in the original christmas carol tbh
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