The Red Button

by Keith Eldred

The prequel to A CHRISTMAS CAROL— A sweet Regency Christmas romance

Here at last is the untold story of Scrooge's doomed engagement

Belle Endicott and Ebenezer Scrooge are young, bookish, hardworking Londoners drawn together by button-making. His brand-new factory threatens her family’s tiny shop, yet they fall in love and start planning their future. When personal and business calamities strike, they confront them vigorously side by side, but ultimately something has to give. We know what it is. They do not.

Genres: Christmas, Historical

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2020

About the author

Keith Eldred created the THIS IS RED project with his wife Janet, a public library director diagnosed with early-stage dementia. With Janet's condition making every day precious, they decided to make the most of 2020, the year of their 30th anniversary, by publishing 20 books. All profits from these titles go the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library, where Janet works. See more at www.thisis.red.

Reviews

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Nothing is enough. All of your hope is in gain. Not in me, not in our family.” So ends the romance between Ebenezer Scrooge and Belle Endicott.

But it wasn’t like that in the beginning. Before Scrooge became enamored with “owning a block of shops and straddling all of London;” and before he partnered with Jacob Marley, Ebenezer was a thoughtful and sensitive man. Belle adored him and delighted in his mind and spirit then.

As time wore on, Ebenezer evolved into a man full of ambition. Empathy was lost in him, and the coin and gold became his passionate focus. Sadly, there was no turning back.

The Red Button is a prequel to A Christmas Carol and it tells the tale of Ebenezer’s first love and how Ebenezer’s aspirations and toxic partnership with Jacob Marley led to the demise of his engagement with Belle, and the eventual transformation of Ebenezer into a soulless miser.

An excellent complement to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the reader gets to learn the background and history of Scrooge, his love life, and his pernicious relationship with Jacob Marley.

Although considered a regency romance novel, it is more than that because it also blends elements from the industrial age when manufacturing started to become mechanized.

Overall, a magical read that is sure to please fans of A Christmas Carol. Five charming stars.

[Violet Perry (Just a Bookish Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

~I’d like to thank the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for my honest review!~
Ahh, this was such a beautiful and poetic book, I loved it!
Although I haven’t yet read the Christmas carol, I know that The Red Button is the perfect prequel. It shows the development of Scrooge as a character, and how he ultimately becomes the person we know in The Christmas Carol.
One thing that I also really loved about this book, is that the writing was perfect for the book. It was beautiful and poetic, and it definitely fits the role of prequel to a classic.
All in all, I loved this book, from start to finish. From the beautiful writing and loveable characters to the ending that left us all happy, this is definitely a Christmas must-read!
~Full Review To Come~

[Renae | Redhair_and_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly everyone has at least heard of Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, the infamous miser who hates Christmas and says, “Bah Humbug!” a lot. The grouchy character was first brought to life in the beloved (and slightly creepy) story, The Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. However, in The Red Button, Keith Eldred acts as a generous Spirit of Christmas Past, taking his readers back in time to experience Mr. Scrooge’s love story. He organically introduces many familiar names from the original story, weaving them in and giving them believable and appropriate backstories. And, more importantly, he spins a tale of sweet, Regency-era romance (a clean one, at that!) that will make you hopeful for one of literature’s grumpiest characters, even though you know how it’s going to end (even if you don’t know, the author tells you on the first page, so there won’t be any surprises).

This story was actually pretty flawless for me. I seriously don’t have any negative criticism for it at all. For starters, the characters were as charming as could be- even the miser himself! The author did a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life and making them relatable. I legitimately even related to Mr. Scrooge at many points, which I loved! It takes a talented author to rewrite a character with Mr. Scrooge’s reputation in such a way as to give him new layers and make him loveable. Mr. Eldred rose to the challenge and succeeded in ways that Mr. Scrooge would be envious of.

Eldred also used quite a unique “character” through which to deliver most of the narrative: the titular Red Button. The object represented so much, and its sentimental value was revealed gradually throughout the book. It was an interesting perspective from which to describe some of the most important moments in the love story of Belle and Ebenezer. I applaud Eldred for his creativity in this.

In addition, I commend him for his delicate depiction of dementia in the story. The condition is heartbreaking to encounter in loved ones in real life, and he did a fantastic job of describing how people react to it in various ways. Given his personal background, I think Mr. Eldred was very brave for including this aspect in the story and handled it graciously.

Aside from the book, which I obviously recommend, the backstory of the author himself (which I’ve just hinted at) is well worth a read. It seems Mr. Eldred’s writing has been motivated by his own true love (to whom he has been married for 30 years, as of the book’s release date!). I won’t spoil it for you, but I highly encourage you to go to his website www.thisis.red and read about it for yourself. It’s inspiring and heartwarming!

Overall, I really loved this book and think it is the perfect holiday read (including Christmas in July). In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I’m going to go watch The Christmas Carol right now, despite it being insanely hot outside! I give it a full 5 stars and will most likely read it again!

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A red button. A romance. In Keith Eldred's prequel to A Christmas Carol, The Red Button, the narrative of Ebenezer Scrooge and Belle Endicott begins.

When Ebenezer Scrooge comes to their button shop, Belle Endicott and her father, Archie, are contentedly working together. Both Belle and Ebenezer are attracted to one other almost immediately and embark on a romance.

The Red Button, written in a language evocative of Charles Dickens' old English, explores what could have happened between Ebenezer and Belle to cause the demise of their romance.

The backdrop of Belle and Ebenezer's doomed love is nicely written and easy to follow. Quickly, I became attached to all the characters. When Scrooge began to value material wealth over human emotions and love, it shattered my heart. His character's shift tugged at my heartstrings as I read it. Belle's empathy and kindness were almost otherworldly, and she went above and beyond normal kindness.

There were various aspects of The Red Button that I found appealing. I was thrilled to see the inclusion of Fezziwig and Marley, as well as some of their backstories. The details of button making, both hand-made and factory-made, were fascinating. In addition, I was amused by Scrooge's creation of a desk which was a forerunner to the standing desk!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

[Anu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and moving tribute to a beloved classic

"The Red Button" is a classic prequel to "A Christmas Carol". This is the untold story of how the doomed lovers found and then lost each other. And how their parting stayed with Scrooge daily and ultimately prepared the way for his famous redemption.

A timeless classic that I enjoyed just as much now as I did when I first read 'A Christmas Carol' at school. This story is narrated from the perspective of the red button. The chapter titles give readers an insight into what to expect from each chapter in the book. Interesting read.

A great story, with the usual great Dickens characters. The plot is finely crafted and an addition to the original classic. It brilliantly depicts their sweet love and also the evil side of money, how it changes a person. You will find striking similarities between the characters to their past lives and will be fascinated by the craft and trade of button-making in the new world of modern manufacturing. Each button was a tiny portal to the world.

I loved the perfect example of David and Goliath to bring out the uniqueness in business trade. The way the author expresses the story will leave readers speechless. Worth a read.

[Neide Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars!

“(...) You are not only what you do, Ebenezer. Activity makes a man neither better nor worse. It merely reveals what he values. Do not chase your worth or seek to establish it. You own it already.”

This book contains: buttons, borrowed books, headstones, contracts, factories, espionage, Christmas carols and ghosts.

Even though I have never read the classical novel “A Christmas Tale” by Charles Dickens, I’ve heard a lot about the famous, grouchy character, Ebenezer Scrooge. But don’t worry, you don’t need to read the classic to pick this up!
This prequel written by Keith Eldred is a great retelling of how Scrooge's engagement with Belle ended and how he became the character portrayed in the classical novel. There’s some romance in this book, but the focus is the character development of Ebenezer. He was an ambitious man to begin with, but that ambition soon became toxic - especially after partnering with Jacob Marley. It was clear for Belle that his priorities were elsewhere when he wasn’t beside her while her dad passed away - which broke my heart!
One thing I really found interesting was the Red Button itself. In some parts of the narrative, we get to read some scenes told from the perspective of this object. I never thought in a million years I would read a book with the perspective of a button… but here we are. I think it was tastefully done and it added something special to the story. Unexpected, but a good surprise!
My favorite thing from this book was definitely the writing style. I loved how joyful it was and it has that Christmas tale feel to it! I think I would probably enjoy this more if I read “A Christmas Tale” beforehand, but I still think it was a very good story. The plot was very good and I learned some things about the button industry!
I would recommend it to the fans of the classic novel and overall Christmas lovers!

***A big thank you to the author for the free copy in exchange for an honest review***

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[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Can a person serve two masters? Becoming the richest person in the world or a happily married man is a conundrum for Ebenezer Scrooge. He is smitten with the lovely Belle Endicott. She is the daughter of a famous button manufacturer and this is at the dawn of the industrial revolution. Belle and her father have long been one of the finest button manufacturers in the world. Belle learned her craft from her mother and works with her father. Ebenezer wants to mechanize the process. He also has a very deep interest in young Belle.

A red button is at the heart of the story. The button is given to Ebenezer by Belle and he carries it with him everywhere. The Endicott family and Scrooge develop a production alliance whereas the Endicott group prepare handcrafted special order buttons and the factory creates mass-produced buttons for clothing manufacturers.

Belle is smitten with her “Ben” and would entertain his proposal, but work always seems to get in the way. The age-old adage of trying to serve two masters is evident. Can the drive for world domination be done concurrently with making a happy life with a spouse? Ebenezer desperately hopes that this is true. However, cornering the clothing fastener market in the British Empire takes much of his time and he does not have the time to court Belle and corner the market too.

This middle school novel paints an interesting picture of who the young Ebenezer Scrooge might have been. It is a fun, fast, and interesting read. 4.5 stars - CE Williams

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

First, a quick summary of the plot highlights: Scrooge and Belle meet when Scrooge visits Belle and her father's (Archie) shop to discuss button-making with them and devise a business partnership. Scrooge starts his button-making enterprise, with Belle and her father contributing by continuing to hand-make specialty buttons for those who still want that type of craftsmanship done. Scrooge grows his empire into a large factory for which he borrows quite a bit of money to finance. When Marley joins the operation, Scrooge learns he has three spies in his employ who have been working with a competitor (coincidentally, the only business in town that did not choose to become a customer for Scrooge), in which buttons are delivered to this competitor and just kept in a warehouse and never used. The three employees use the funds from their spying to "pay" Scrooge's company for the buttons, and since the buttons are still being delivered and paid for, no one ever questions it. The idea was that Scrooge would overextend his business expenses to a point that he was so much in debt that once all of these "customers" that were buying the buttons under the guise of the competitor pulled out, Scrooge's business would be doomed. Scrooge concocts an elaborate plan to trap this competitor into buying his button-making company for a tidy profit, then moves on to go into business with Marley. For Scrooge, this espionage is the big thing that really undoes anything that he has learned from Belle about the goodness in life. For Belle, the big thing is Scrooge not bring there when Archie dies and she learns what is most important to Scrooge (numbers). Their life together unravels before they make it to marriage and they go their separate ways. Mixed among this are some paranormal elements, Belle and Scrooge's courtship, Belle's father's illness, and other small plot points, which I did not realize were so numerous until I tried to summarize it all.

My overall impression of this book is two-fold:
• It reads like an unedited second draft.
• It is a little unfocused.

For the first part, it is not that the writing was not good. It is readable and there were plenty of memorable phrases in it (I think my favorites were "individually inglorious but collectively consequential" and "burgeoning button baron"), as well as some enjoyable funny parts, though at times it did border a little bit on trying too hard. This is common with books written to take place in older eras because, particularly for areas of dialog, that sophisticated way of conversing can be difficult to recreate naturally (it is a lost art that is not easy to master). A lot of the dialog was written in quick snippets between characters that I think were meant to be the kind of witty repartee that may also be associated with this time period, but made it very difficult to follow which character was saying which lines, and I had to go back over those sections several times when I encountered them to make sure I could follow what was being said by whom, all of which slowed reading and comprehension considerably.

Other areas I noticed were some oddities of phrase, especially with some analogies, punch lines, "deep thoughts," and connecting ideas together. A few examples:
• At one point Lily (Belle’s mother) says "she will be proud of her in the next world," which implies Lily was not proud of Belle when she was alive. I think what was meant was something like, “I am as proud of you in this world as I was in that one.”
• "Known for my forbearance," Marley returned dryly, "Because I can be on your arse like four bears." I get this is trying to be a witty turn of phrase, but it was a bit of a stretch for me.
• "It was as ludicrous as suddenly tasting sugar in the air after wishing for it for months." I did not get this at all--I have never heard of someone wishing for the air to taste like sugar?
• There are many exchanges that just don't seem connected to each other, like when Archie says "I have dreamed of seeing my Blue Bell again" and then Belle responds, "And you have seen my rainbow, Father." I don't understand what these things have to do with each other.
• Belle asks Lily if it makes sense that she is asking difficult things because it's what her hearts is asking, and Lily says that makes sense, but then two sentences later Lily says the heart has no sense. Sometimes it is difficult with "deep" talk to keep it sensible and not rambling, like it sounds profound on the surface, but if you really analyze it it ends up contradicting itself.
• One instance of what seemed to me to be a more modern phrase so it felt out of place: "You can't leave me hanging like that!"
• Belle's mother says "That invites pain and loss atop loss." This is redundant and it could have just been, "That invites yet more pain and loss." or "That invites both pain and loss." but even then that doesn't sound quite right in the context of what they were discussing.
• At one point, Archie says "he explained" about Belle's "visiting" (Lily's visits), but he didn't in the actual text, all that happened was they discussed the large factories. Then it goes on to say that it was time for Scrooge to explain why he'd come, but he already did it with the father. So, some points of not remembering what already happened or saying something happened but to the reader it did not.
• Some serious repetition over themes became a little tiresome, like if I never see the word "appropriate" again, I will be glad.
• Odd and incorrect use of the phrase "to feign interest" that confused me quite a bit.
• "...Scrooge appeared once again, speaking as calmly as a kidnapper to his captive." Odd analogy, especially since I don't generally think of kidnappers as calmly speaking with their captives.

For the second part, I felt like this book was trying to do too much and there were several overcomplications that it could have done without:
• Button: Given the name of the book and the prelude (which was entertaining, even if it was a little over-the-top), I thought this book was going to be entirely told from the button's POV. However, the button only shows prominently up once in a while when Scrooge interacts with it and, if it was supposed to be the "narrator" of this whole book, that did not actually start until page 50 and even then it was not really apparent to me that a button was narrating. I understand buttons are integral to this story, but the aspect of it being narrated by the button just did not come through consistently. Additionally, I grew to just not really understand why Scrooge was so into the button, as it just did not mesh with the personality the author gave him to be so sentimental about that or about Belle (more on that later).
• Timelines: While this doesn't have time travel, it does have some areas where time is transcended in little interludes, going forward and backward to give context to situations. I felt these could have been done a little less confusingly or perhaps left out altogether if it had just been written in a slightly different way (my guess is that this felt necessary due to the "button" telling the story, but I think it could have been done without it, whether the button is narrating or not).
• Paranormal Aspects: I believe the author added this as a way to explain why in Dickens' novel Scrooge saw ghosts, but honestly I really thought this whole thing could have been left out. For one thing, I don't think it is necessary to explain why Scrooge saw ghosts in the Dickens novel—for me, it is more powerful for him to go through all that in A Christmas Carol without having had previous experience with it. For another, the sections involving Lily talking to Belle were very confusing and disorienting to read and I found little value in them. There were other smaller paranormal aspects added that I felt were distracting and inexplicable:
o The tin man in Chamberlain's pocket that represented his father. This felt very random to me, especially with the whole very purposeful reference to The Little Drummer Boy which was lost on me. I think this is supposed to partially explain why Belle and Chamberlain grow feelings for each other because they bonded over their paranormal parents, but again I just felt this was unnecessary. (Aside which, Belle's father randomly reaches into Chamberlain's pocket to grab the soldier, but it is unexplained how her father knew it was there to begin with—x-ray vision?)
o Scrooge hears his sister's voice (even though she isn't dead). I did not get this at all.
o Scrooge sees Lily's ghost, and for some reason hears her saying "He knows. Father knows of my success." I had absolutely no idea what that was referring to because I had no idea who "he" was (who's father??) or what he might know.

Honestly, at one point, to me it just started to feel like everyone, especially Belle, had schizophrenia or something.

• Obscure Comparisons to Other Literature: There were several very heavy-handed allusions to both Arthurian legend and Greek mythology, from the Trojan Horse to the Round Table to I think Lily being a Greek chorus for Belle (this was more like an allusion than an obvious reference like the others), and even going so far at one point as to compare Scrooge to Androcles. All of this was mystifying to me, as I did not see any of the characters in this book really embody the mythical characters, nor did I see any parallels in the book to these mythical stories. None of it blended to me at all.

There are a few other things I'd like to discuss.

As far as tying it back to Dickens' book, I will confess I have never actually read A Christmas Carol so I can't really comment with any authority on how they relate or compare to each other. I have, however, seen it as a play many times and have watched many movie variations on it, so I was able to recognize that the author tries very hard to tie back to Dickens' book with certain phrases (at times a little overdone or slightly out-of-place, but still appreciated), with bringing in characters other than just Belle and Scrooge (including Fezziwig, who was always a favorite for me!), and even explaining the building of Scrooge's desk.

As far as atmosphere, I do wish it had been a little more atmospheric, as the era in which this book is written really has so much to delight in. This book is very dialog-heavy and you would think I would enjoy that since I often complain about large swathes of descriptive text that are painful to wade through. But, in this case, I actually wished there was more talk of the food people ate, the clothing they wore, the building exteriors and interiors, the party atmospheres, etc.

As far as historical accuracy, there were actually a lot of small details in here, such as country/state names I wasn't sure existed at that time, materials for button-making that I wasn't sure would be available at that time (or available in England at that time), and even other works of literature that I wasn't sure had been written at that time. I did some light research to verify some things and am pretty sure they seemed on point, but honestly I did not spend much time in this area, preferring to focus my energy on other aspects for this review.

As far as the romance, my main problem with this, aside from the fact that this stranger, Scrooge, only just came into their shop so this conclusion is a little quick for everyone to jump to, is that mainly what the stranger has expressed is that he sees the man's daughter as an asset to exploit, not as a person. Like, his exact words were "What an asset." while looking at Belle. (This continues heavily throughout, even near the end when Scrooge says something like "Beyond the fortune she brings?" when Marley tells Scrooge he doesn't know what Scrooge sees in Belle.)
When Archie questions Scrooge's "asset" statement, Scrooge clarifies by saying "valuable capability" (meaning the button-making), but Archie goes on to say that he is still not sure whether he meant the girl or her talent (though a paragraph later decides he must have meant the family option is the valuable part), then all of a sudden says he now has an affection for the stranger because he is "nakedly ambitious" and "disarmingly awkward" instead of all that being alarming and red flag-y.

It could be said that for this time period, all Archie sees is an eligible bachelor who may be wealthy and successful and wants to marry his daughter someday when otherwise his daughter's prospects may be kind of slim given that he is a shop owner, but I still find it hard to believe that he would be so willing so immediately to give her away (especially when she is all he has left in the world) to someone who sees her as "valuable" rather than "valued." Big difference.

I find it harder to believe still that Belle also immediately feels "at ease" around Scrooge and finds him "sincere." Not to mention that he literally called her an "asset" to her face.

All of this made their whole romance kind of difficult for me to get behind or find because, based on what we know of their characters and the verbal exchanges they have, Scrooge's behavior always seems duplicitous and self-serving and Belle's behavior seems too naïve and forgiving.

As far as Scrooge's character exploration, I think that is the most fascinating aspect of this book. Honestly, he is not very likeable, even before he really turns into, well, a scrooge.

Some of the explorations of him as a child, I wasn't sure about because he is basically shown as fanciful, using books to escape, even stealing them (though he "tried" to return them?) because apparently he knew how to pick pockets (it wasn't clear to me how he would have learned this—he wasn't a street urchin, so he didn't really have street smarts or know people who could teach him those skills). It always seemed like in other interpretations even as a child Scrooge is only interested in books because they taught him about business, not escapism (though I guess it could be argued that in a bizarre way business is Scrooge's escapism...). I think the author may have leaned toward escapism for his purposes to explain how Belle and Scrooge first meet, as it is due to a love of books that Scrooge follows a note Belle left in another shop asking for books to read that brings him to Belle and Archive's shop in the first place.

As Scrooge gets older, he starts to use books less for escape and more as his sole means of learning (meaning, he sees no value in what other people can teach him because no one could ever be as smart or clever as he is), though I have to admit I don't really remember how this transition occurred. In time, he starts to feel more and more superior to everyone. As one example, during Fezziwig's parties he would "lean back and impassively survey the frivolity, imaging revelers indebted to him" and liked that "no such thought would occur to any of the attendees." Or how "he was one strain of being, they [party goers] another." Yikes. This is just the tip of the ice burg, trust me. I was kind of surprised at the dark themes that started to emerge.

To wrap up, I will discuss the strong woman aspect of this book, as when requesting a review, the author particularly asked me to comment on this.

In general, I felt that Belle was a good example of a strong woman. She:
• Used her sewing talents (and later her writing talents) to her advantage. She has skills and does seem to be able to provide for herself in some compacity, so even if she hadn't married Chamberlain, it is likely she could have supported herself in life.
• Stands up for her beliefs, such as when asking Scrooge to reform some things for the laborers in the button factory and challenging Scrooge to listen to all of his workers, including children and women.
• Has a sense of self and does not seem defined or controlled by others' expectations or assumptions about her (except perhaps Lily, but that's a whole other issue), nor does she seem to be trying to change to suit what other people want her to be.
• Draws boundaries with people, which she did during many talks with Scrooge over the overzealous nature of his working life, ultimately breaking up with him because she realized they would not be happy together due to their different priorities (and his erratic, almost disturbing nature).
• Sought education and knowledge, even if it was to borrow books from other people (rather than going to school—I wasn't sure exactly why school wasn't an option for her as I am pretty sure women could go to school back then? Perhaps it was cost or the fact that she needed to help her father so they had a livelihood and school would eat into that time a lot).

There were a couple things I questioned that may have diminished her strong spirit a bit, but overall I feel her words and actions show her as an independent and fully realized woman.

In conclusion, if you like Dickens' novel and are interested in reading a very unusual take on what happened before those events, I recommend this book. While there are obviously some areas of the book that I felt could have been handled better, I think the general readability of it, the character explorations, and the potential make it a three-star read.

[Lisa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the perfect amazing prequel to A Christmas Carol! It perfectly describes how Scrooge became Scrooge. We learn who and what Scrooge loves and, through his humanity and behavior, how his life choices impacted his worldview. I can't say enough about how beautifully written this book is. By far my favorite Keith Eldred book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Kindly allow, Dear Reader, a swerve to the past of Belle Endicott, where you will find distinct differences from and striking similarities to the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.”

The Story
We all know how the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and lost love Belle ends… But how did it begin?

Scrooge is a young, ambitious man, keen to make his way in the world of business. Not yet a “tight-fisted hand at the grindstone”, but single-minded in his desire to be successful, and answer to no one but himself.

Belle Endicott is the daughter of a traditional button maker. When Scrooge leaves his employer and mentor Fezziwig, his goal is to make a success of button manufacturing on a grand scale, and to do that he wishes to know the business inside out. His research leads him to Endicott Button, but what he finds there is more than the business partnership he went seeking.

The father and daughter Endicott team welcome Ebenezer into their lives, and it’s not long before Belle and Ebenezer become engaged. But although they set off on their path together, the pair, as we know, are destined to part. When Scrooge meets Jacob Marley, it’s clear that this will be the partnership of Scrooge’s life.

“He found Marley a kindred spirit remarkably in line with his thinking in many areas, while sharply divergent in others, culminating with his intention to marry Belle.
“She’ll just slow you down,” Marley scoffed. “And cost you. Look at how she’s already fouled up your button works. Extra stove, extra privy. Extra bother, extra expense.”

The sad end of Ebenezer and Belle’s romance makes for a heartbreaking scene in “A Christmas Carol”; but what happened between them, and why is it of such significance to Scrooge’s ultimate redemption?

My Thoughts
It’s December, and the time of year I love to read cosy mysteries, ghostly tales and all-out Christmas favourites. In “The Red Button”, by Keith Eldred, we are transported back to the definitive ghostly festive favourite, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” – with that most perfect of opening lines, “Marley was dead, to begin with.”

Clearly a lover of the original story we all know so well, the author introduces us to Ebenezer Scrooge as a young man, just starting to make his way in the world of business, and strong, intelligent and caring Belle, in love with Ebenezer for who he is, and not who he aspires to become.

The story itself is narrated by the eponymous ‘Red Button’ – one crafted by Endicott Buttons, no less, and one that becomes a lifetime talisman, and sad reminder, to Scrooge. This is a quirky and endearing feature of the story that I found perfectly in-keeping with Dickens’ original.

I also loved getting to know Belle; although we also know her fate from “A Christmas Carol” (a far happier one than that which awaits Scrooge), it’s very enjoyable to learn more about her; what drew her to Ebenezer and what led to the sad scene of their parting that the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge so many years later.

An affectionately written, sad but heartwarming story, with some ghostly goings on for good measure, this is a really lovely book to add to your annual Christmas reads.

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost everyone has seen, read or heard about the story of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I read it at school and have seen it countless times over the years. My son has played Bob Cratchit twice, once with Tiny Tim as a puppet on his shoulder. I’ve seen it performed in a church with a ball scene where the audience joined in with the dancing. Played straight, played for laughs – I’ve seen them all.

But what actually happened that turned Ebenezer Scrooge from a love-struck young man, madly in love with his fiance Belle Endicott, into the mean, greedy, miserly old man we see in A Christmas Carol. Scrooge is shown what his life was like when he was happy to what it became and how it would end up if he didn’t change it. But let’s go back now, dear reader, as the narrator tells us Jane Eyre-style from time to time. The narrator in this case is the red button of the book title.

In The Red Button, Ebenezer meets Belle through their button-making businesses. Belle hand-sews fabric on buttons as did her mother Lily – recently departed – and her father Archie, who owns the button shop. Ebenezer has just left the employ of Fezziwig to embark on his own, with a brand new button manufacturing factory which threatens to put Archie – and Belle – out of business.

But Ebenezer falls in love with Belle and for a while all seems well. They become engaged to be married and Belle even helps with suggestions to make the factory more comfortable for the workers.

So what goes wrong and we know from A Christmas Carol that it does. Scrooge is introduced to Jacob Marley (remember him – Marley’s ghost all clanking chains ​'”made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds”, all items connected with his job. Indeed, Dickens clarifies that these are the ​”chains forged in life”‘). Just as Scrooge forged his own destiny, he will pay the price unless he can look back with regret and undo the harm he did.

Poor Belle. Ebenezer has become a monster. A stingy miser.

‘Don’t you know my reputation,’ he says to Belle, ‘I have no soul.’

The story follows the change in Scrooge’s character and what starts out as a cosy romance turns into something much darker. This is a tale of greed and power, of money above all else and how these things will only buy unhappiness and misery in the end. A great read just before Christmas or any time at all.

Many thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

“The Red Button” is a wonderfully clever book by author Keith Eldred. I think just about everyone is familiar with the character of Ebenezer Scrooge. This book expands upon what we learned from the first of the three ghosts who visit Scrooge on the infamous Christmas Eve in the original, classic Dickens story. In that book, the Ghost of Christmas Past reveals that after a painful childhood, when Scrooge was a young man, he fell in love with a woman named Belle. He even proposed marriage, and she accepted. Gradually, though, his love for financial success exceeded his love for her. To her credit, Belle realized that she was less important to Scrooge than accumulation of wealth was, and she ended their engagement – at Christmas time. Wouldn’t that sour anybody on both love and Christmas?

The book blurb lets a potential reader know that the romance between Ebenezer and Belle was doomed and in that respect the book has an unhappy ending. It’s not a typical fiction read for me, because, let’s be honest, the world is full of so much sadness and frustration already that fictional happy endings are always welcome. Yet, I was intrigued. The story of Scrooge practically defines the Christmas holiday. It was tempting to learn more about his character - even written by a contemporary author 150 years after the death of the original creator. Once I started reading, I found this book to be a compelling one. I give the author a lot of credit for taking on the daunting task of trying to provide that information in a way that pays tribute to the work of the original author.

Eldred does a good job broadening the characters of Belle and Ebenezer, although I do wish Ebenezer would have spoken more in the beginning and during the relationship. I liked that Belle called him Ben, which I thought humanized him a lot in an unexpected way. I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot, because it’s clearly the result of significant thought and research. I will tell you that there are several unexpected aspects of the story, and multiple things happen that I never would’ve anticipated. A couple of those things were a little unnecessary, in my personal opinion, but I understood that the author was trying to kind of circle back to paranormal elements being included in the original.

Parts of this book have an unusual narrator, and it’s almost surprisingly effective in several different ways. That narrator doesn’t tell the whole story, and at times I thought the transitions were a bit awkward or unclear. Gaining a wider perspective on Scrooge also involves learning more about his connections with other characters in the original book. I was impressed by how thoroughly this story accomplished that.

If you’re a fan of the original book, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, or even if you only know of Scrooge from the movies, I think you’re likely to enjoy this excellent prequel. It’s great to read at the holiday season or any time at all.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Suzanne Collins’ Coryo, Keith Eldred’s Ben made me empathize with the person and plight of a well-known, and maybe misunderstood, character.

I also appreciated the reminder about the power of the company we keep.

[Erin Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fully intended to read The Red Button by Keith Eldred over the Christmas season, but life got crazy and my time to read was minimal. Written as a prequel to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, I thought this book may only be enjoyable during the holidays. However, I proved myself wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed The Red Button as I believe any fans of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge would enjoy it too.

Beautifully written, Keith Eldred is clever and creative in writing this novel. His prose complements Dickens’ writing perfectly which only added enjoyment to each page read.

The Red Button explores the life of Ebenezer Scrooge and his engagement to Belle Endicott, his life before his partnership with Jacob Marley, and his life prior to him becoming hungrily greedy. We already know how his relationship will end with Belle as we know that he is not married in A Christmas Carol, however following their love story is quite enjoyable. But there is sadness involved in the story as well which the reader can probably surmise from the description. The reader gains a deeper understanding of what made Ebenezer Scrooge the man he is in A Christmas Carol. Eldred does a wonderful job of bringing this story to life, and fortunately for the reader brings a sweet and pleasant closure to Belle’s story as well.

The Red Button is an enjoyable, charming, and absolutely wonderful Christmas read. But if it is not Christmastime, please do not let that stop you from picking up a copy. It is an enjoyable read for any time of the year.

I was given an advanced reader copy by the author. Thank you for the privilege!

[Sams_Fireside · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel to Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, The Red Button is a delightful, Regency romance novel by Keith Eldred. Beautifully written, with familiar characters, Eldred provides us with a differing side to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, showing us he hasn’t always been the grumpy old miser that we are accustomed to. Indeed, he used to be in love with a young lady named Belle and they were all set to spend the rest of their lives together until business got in the way.

Belle works alongside her father, in the family business, making buttons, hence the title of the book. Parts of the story are actually told from the Red Button’s perspective - weird I know, but strangely, it works!

The Red Button isn’t my usual genre, and, as expected, is written in the style of Dickens. It is far from fast-paced but gives us insight into Ebenezer’s life, and business dealings from a young age. How he came to know Jacob Marley and how money changed his life and his priorities. The author delicately deals with the sad subject of dementia and how it not only affects the person suffering but also their family and friends.

To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Red Button, and whether or not you have read A Christmas Carol, I’m sure you will know the story and, therefore, the characters. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a Regency-era story and is intrigued to find out why Scrooge became the man he did.

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming new prequel to the Dickensian Christmas classic reveals the untold story behind the romance between Belle Endicott and Ebenezer Scrooge.

This clever, nimble story is narrated by … wait. Without giving too much away, let’s just say that the narrator provides a unique “eye” to the back story of Belle and Ebenezer’s (“Ben”) love story. In its pages you’ll discover:

- How and why Ebenezer Scrooge was a “walking library." Who knew?
- “Classic Buttons.”
- The impact of textile manufacturing and industrialization in 19th century England and beyond.
- “A book a week!”
- Industrial espionage
- Scrooge’s “first commercial effort” wasn’t as a money lender. Go figure (pun intended).
- How Scrooge meets Jacob “Door Knocker” Marley
- Muggins the dog
- "AppropriATE."
- What drove Scrooge’s “holy union” with the “kingdom of commerce.”

We also meet a young and bold Scrooge who’s focused on building his business “straddling” London, but not yet bowing down to worship at the shrine of mammon. He’s ambitious. But Scrooge still places his heart above his bank account and hasn’t yet turned into the self-centric, avaricious vulture we meet in the pages of Charles Dickens’s beloved Christmas classic.

This story explains what happened and why.

Alert readers will notice “cameo” appearances by other characters from A Christmas Carol. We also meet a Scrooge who’s haunted by phantoms from his familial past. Kinda like the Ghost of Christmas Past, and… Well. You know.

A fresh look at a familiar tale, this story is So. Darn. Clever. Sturdy writing undergirds a quick-moving plot and a delicious collection of rich, full-bodied characters. A delightful read!

[lacy white · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Red Button
Author: Keith Eldred
Genre: Historical Holiday
Format: ebook from the author
Star Rating: 4 stars

tw: parental death, prolonged illness, unsafe working conditions

I’m going to be completely honest. I have never read A Christmas Carol. I may have watched the movie, perhaps the Disney one, but it’s been years. I know the premise of the story, kind of. Luckily, with this book, you don’t have to necessarily know about A Christmas Carol. But it definitely helps.

This book was so adorable and whimsical. Even though it did deal with some heavy topics like parental death and dementia, it still managed to stay light and whimsical. It helped that the book was written in the way it used to be a long time ago. But it was also written in a way that was still understood. I didn’t struggle as I did with Pride and Prejudice.

As for the characters, I preferred Scrooge over Belle. Scrooge seemed more fleshed out to me. He certainly had a ton of flaws but I liked him. I truly think he meant well; he just had a funny way of going about it. Deep down, he was just trying to do his best. Belle just seemed to be flat, even when there were whole chapters dedicated to her. I know the story wasn’t fully about her, but I felt her character could have been a little more developed.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. It distracted me from the uncomfortableness of being pregnant, as I was pregnant while I read this book. It was a fun whimsical book and I hope to see more from this author.

[C. McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reflective and thoughtful story of young Scrooge as he figures out his life, love and purpose. He meets Belle Endicott, and her family. However, his conflicts include the business he runs and wants to expand and an influential friend, known as Marley.

There were some phrases which I especially enjoyed, such as when Belle describes her father’s new behaviour, “Or in not thinking. It’s a different type of vacancy. I see little sign of anything happening…”

And when Scrooge dismissed his staff who “…dispersed…as the wind scatters dandelion puffs.” I love that reference; people moving about like dandelion pieces blowing in the wind.

I love, too, how it is all linked up with a ghost and the ancient ‘feel’ I get from the writing. I mean the setting is effective and done well.

I learned about button-making, too. There was a lot I didn’t know about that.

The Red Button will linger on my mind for time to come.

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. It's so cute to be as a reader to have the view point of a button, once at that is crafted. A totally new twist, here we have Bella growing up along side her father making wonderful buttons that drawls a young Ebenezer to the shops door. A partnership of sorts blooms between Archie and Ebenezer that brings the young couple together. Archie trade in the craft is amazing to watch and the way he handles the younger man is something to behold. With the love from Lily, as time shows things isn't all about just finding love but the hardships of life that have a way of circling back to what is important..even if it takes a little bit of helping hands. 
Wow this was totally different then what you would think about the character's. Once you start reading, it will just suck youn right in to the storyline.  

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebeneezer is quite ambitious, though at the same time, insecure. I would have liked to know more about his background, though perhaps some of this is done in 'A Christmas Carol'. One thing I really liked was that he seems like a soft person around Belle, and I think it would have really benefitted him as a person if the relationship had carried on. This was a holiday read that I really enjoyed.
I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Helga Lockheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional read. Full review on www.bookjewel.blogspot.com

[Chantel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more reviews, head to my blog Chantel Speaks

“You bring me peace, Dear Belle. You lift me from my own mind. You are a light in the darkness.”

I have to admit, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is one of those books that I’ve always had intention to read, but never quite got to. When I was invited to read this novel by the author, Keith Eldred, the first thing I did was offer to read the original. However, he assured me it would be a lot more run to read his prequel first and see what I thought. I have to tell you, that I prefer it this way. I far enjoyed not knowing the fate of Scrooge and Belle so I join the ride oblivious to the fate of the iconic Ebenezer Scrooge.

The only things I knew about Scrooge prior to reading was that he was an old man and he was grumpy. That wasn’t quite the Scrooge I read in The Red Button. Here, we see a young man full of determination and hope, ready to work on his own business ventures. From here, he meets Belle through a working partnership with her father. As the two get to know each other, their relationship blooms.

“Grow if it will make you happy, if it is for your sport. But for no other reason.”

Belle’s perspectives throughout the book was what kept the book going. She is a wise character, who can see the true emotional depth of others. She definitely saw in Scrooge the things that would later become his pain points in A Christmas Carol. Belle is a character with conviction and to me, it is she who is the hero of The Red Button, despite the very famous character she is set against.

There is a thread of living with Dementia in this book. Keith Eldred deals gently with Dementia and living with its progression. The scenes between Arthur and Belle are genuine and authentic. They had a touch of realness that can only come from lived experience. For me, this is the strongest and most unexpected part of the book. Illnesses and disabilities of all kinds can get skipped over in books, it’s important to note how tenderly Eldred incorporates Dementia into the story.

“Let the heart speak, always. The mind will speak in its own time.”

The Red Button is a sweet book that deals with first loves, loss and hope after illness and death. The chapters are short and easy to read. I believe if I ever read A Christmas Carol that I will do so while remembering The Red Button.


It is worth noting in this review that Keith Eldred has published this book through the THIS IS RED project, the project published 20 books in 2020; the year of his 30th anniversary with his wife. His wife Janet lives with early-stage dementia. All profits from the sale of the books supports the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library where Janet works.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Book Reviewer, I received a free ebook copy of The Red Button by Keith Eldred and this is my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor any review.

The Red Button by Keith Eldred is a unique work of fiction as it is written as a prequel, of sorts, to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Mr. Eldred has written an account of Ebenezer Scrooge’s life that explores his relationship with Belle, prior to becoming the grumpy miser we know from A Christmas Carol.

Mr. Eldred’s story is written in a very similar style as the classic A Christmas Carol, and fans of the original Dickens classic will be delighted to follow Ebenezer Scrooge through his meeting Belle, becoming interested in courting her to their engagement, and, of course, to the ending of the relationship, all while also following an interesting idea of Mr. Scrooge’s business dealings that made him rich. In addition, readers will follow how his line of thinking changes from the beginning of the book to the end of the book, as well as how he enters into a business relationship with Jacob Marley and becomes the grumpy miser, all of which make this book flow easily into the original Dickens classic that has become so known and loved.

Mr. Eldred has included an unlikely character that plays a part in this story, and that is the Red Button. He also created an unusual relationship between Belle and her mother. These two things make the story quite unique, adding Mr. Eldred’s original touch.

I enjoyed reading The Red Button by Keith Eldred, as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has always been, and still remains, one of my favorite Christmas stories of all time. And I will say, I read The Red Button carefully, as I looked for the connections to the original classic that I felt were important for the book to truly be acceptable to readers, like me, who love Dickens’ original classic, and I was pleased with the connections Mr. Eldred made.

If you are also a fan of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, I encourage you to read The Red Button by Keith Eldred. Mr. Eldred’s story may not include some of the most beloved characters or some lighthearted moments as the Dickens original, but if you like to explore the possibilities of literature’s best known characters’ lives, like Ebenezer Scrooge, I think you will enjoy The Red Button.

I give The Red Button by Keith Eldred 5 stars.

[Jennifer Tooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I was provided a copy of this book by the author or their representative, however, have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.

Before the Miser

Belle Endicott lives with her father in their button-making shop. Having lost her mother several years earlier Belle keeps her father company and is comforted by the spiritual communion that her work allows with the departed. When an eager businessman approaches her father regarding his operations, the partnership becomes more than a mere business proposition as Belle and the young Ebeneezer fall in love. Side by side the duo forms a dynamic partnership that incorporates her father’s business into the young Scrooge’s larger factory operations. But with Belle’s father’s health ailing and when Ebeneezer’s factory is threatened by another competitor, the duo will face their hardest test to their relationship to date. The result will set the stage for the future. It is a future the duo never foresaw, but one the entire world is familiar with.

Written as a speculative prequel to Dickens’ beloved “A Christmas Carol”, author Keith Eldred has crafted a tale that is as familiar as it is unique. Written from the perspective of a bespoke button pilfered by a love-struck youth to remind him of his beloved, the reader is introduced to a young Ebeneezer Scrooge. While just barely a man, he is no less, driven, diligent, and full of passion not only for his dear Belle but also to succeed and transform into the mogul that he dreams to be. Watching Ebeneezer interact with Belle and Arthur helps to humanize what is otherwise historically known as a heartless tyrant who only cares about the coins in his coffers. But even so, to the astute reader, the signs of the person to come are still there. With appearances by other familiar names and faces, Eldred has conceived a prequel that not only tells the back story of the main character but also sets the stage for the overall story that was the inspiration for this book. Part romance, part tragedy with a hint of supernatural and small doses of comedy The Red Button is a very enjoyable read and a perfect addition to any readers’ library. This is not the first “origin story” of famous Christmas time characters that I have read, and it probably won’t be the last. While all of them have their charms and are unique in their own ways, The Red Button for me was probably the best one to date and one that I will most likely read again and again.

[Sophia-Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Review

The point of view seems at the opening to be from a particular "Red." button, which we should follow. So from there, we are introduced to the Endicott family; Archie and Belle, father and daughter, and the 'special' 'powers' that Belle exhibits.
Then Ebenezer Scrooge enters the scene or the plot, and now the book takes form quickly and is recognised from snippets in Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Even at a young age, it is clear that Ebenezer is self-reliant, a little haughty and certainly a little arrogant, but also surprisingly curious about the world around him. The writing of Mr Eldred is catching and in line with the future, and his characters warn Ebenezer clearly throughout the book. "You are not only what you do, Ebenezer. Activity makes a man neither better nor worse. It merely reveals what he values. Do not chase your worth or seek to establish it. You own it already." - Fezziwig.
But does he listen to these wise councils? No, as we all know, and the button knows it.

As the plot takes form, the button appears again in chapter 18, in the pocket of Scrooge.

The pace is good, and the length of the chapters makes one fly through it. Soon after, Mr Marley appears on the scene to "appropriate" Scrooge to the future we all know. One of their conversations is very interesting since it makes the reader's mind jump straight to A Christmas Carol. And to make sure where you can look, the conversation is on page 156, and it's good.

And again, the button appears in chapter 63, left at Scrooges apartment. And lastly, it appears again in chapter 86, the final time we are allowed to "see" the button in the plot. In my opinion, the red button has the purpose of a reminder and portal to what was unfulfilled within Scrooge.

[Masha M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A TRAGIC, TENDER, AND CAPTIVATING PREQUEL.

We all know the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, but this book introduces us to the young, ambitious, and surprisingly lovable man he once was. The story focuses on his romance with Belle, the woman he was once engaged to. The twist? Their worlds collide through button-making, with his new factory threatening her family's small shop.

I was completely drawn into their world. Seeing a young, hopeful Scrooge, who is hardworking and genuinely in love, makes his eventual fate so much more tragic. You watch their relationship blossom as they face challenges together, and you can't help but root for them, even though you know exactly how it ends. That foreknowledge adds this layer of beautiful, bittersweet tension to every happy moment.

The Regency London setting is perfect, and the button-making business is a unique and fascinating backdrop for a romance. My only small critique is that I wished for a tiny bit more of their joyful moments before the inevitable downfall begins. It’s a short, powerful punch of a story that gives a classic character incredible depth.

If you love A Christmas Carol and have ever wondered about the man Scrooge was before greed consumed him, this is an absolute must-read. It’s a poignant and thoughtful origin story.

[Sara McClaflin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive this book from the author. I hope the prospective reader will read this review fully before making any prejudgments on the book. I will give the book my thoughts. These thoughts are completely my own and not swayed in any way by anyone else’s reviews or opinions.

Check out my blog for more: www.onreviewbysara.com

My Rating: My rating of this book is 5 out of 5 stars. I love how this book was written and I love the characters. I have read the book twice already and I will be reading it again. I believe people of all ages know of Ebenezer Scrooge. He is one of the most recognizable characters in history. So, when you get to read of a time of happiness, it is truly amazing. I recommend any Scrooge or Dickens lovers to take a chance on reading about a happier time for Ebenezer Scrooge.

[Gilion Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Button is an imaginative prequel to A Christmas Carol. It is the story of a young Ebenezer Scrooge and his romance with Belle Endicott. Belle is mentioned only briefly in the original story. This book is built around the captivating idea that Ebenezer Scrooge secretly carries a red button around with him that reminds him of his lost love. It is a charming holiday story in its own right and will give you a new appreciation for Dickens' classic.