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Bob Cratchit's Christmas Carol: The Untold Miracle of Charles Dickens's Classic
"Bob Cratchit’s Christmas Carol will inspire you to let go of the past, awaken your true purpose, and create miracles." — Jack Canfield, New York Times Bestselling author of The Success Principles ™ and cocreator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series
Ebenezer Scrooge is not the only person who meets his ghosts on Christmas Eve. The Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future also come to visit Scrooge's poor, dispirited clerk Bob Cratchit. Bob’s angelic lights help him face the choices he squandered that brought him to work for such a wretched miser. He has a chance to break the chains that bind him to the past, make choices for a better future, and discover the power of forgiveness and love—the miracle of Christmas.
“I never imagined A Christmas Carol as needing an addendum, but then I could not have foreseen Leonard Szymczak’s wonderful and poignant story of the hapless and hopeless Bob Cratchit facing his own Christmas Spirits.” — Charles Dickens’s Christmas Ghost
Ebenezer Scrooge is not the only person who meets his ghosts on Christmas Eve. The Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future also come to visit Scrooge's poor, dispirited clerk Bob Cratchit. Bob’s angelic lights help him face the choices he squandered that brought him to work for such a wretched miser. He has a chance to break the chains that bind him to the past, make choices for a better future, and discover the power of forgiveness and love—the miracle of Christmas.
“I never imagined A Christmas Carol as needing an addendum, but then I could not have foreseen Leonard Szymczak’s wonderful and poignant story of the hapless and hopeless Bob Cratchit facing his own Christmas Spirits.” — Charles Dickens’s Christmas Ghost
108 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 27, 2022
This takes a whole new twist on the beloved Christmas classic. Was it intriguing? Absolutely! Did it add to or enhance the original? Not really.
Firstly, I have to give the author props for attempting this. Taking a classic and mixing things up with a what-if situation, not only takes guts but a lot of dedication if one wishes to really stay true to the original. I believe the author did take pains to not only immerse the reader into the world of Cratchit and Scrooge, but also did his upmost to make it fit. There were some parts that seemed off or tweaked in order to accommodate the new story, . Overall, despite the hiccups, I could see the majority working.
The character's personalities were accurate, and the writing flowed nicely. I thought there some valuable messages to take back, such as: not letting fear control your actions and the fact that our choices today effect tomorrow's outcomes. I liked seeing the story through Cratchit's POV and a bit of his backstory.
There were a few things I didn't like:
1) The word "love" was used entirely too much to the point that it lost its meaning.
2) I didn't agree with the message of "If you want it bad enough and desire it, then you'll get it." Can you have a goal or dream? Sure. But just wanting it isn't enough. The desire to achieve or reach said goal should drive you to work for it.
3) Sort of under the same umbrella as the previous one, one of the ghosts made a point of telling Bob that he "deserved" a better future. While the treatment from Scrooge was wrong and we all want better for Bob, I don't think I'd go as far to say he deserved it. People aren't entitled to anything.
4) Scrooge was referred to as a child of God pre-ghostly visit. Creation of God? Yes. Loved unconditionally by God? Yes. But from his fruits, it's a safe assumption to say Scrooge is an unbeliever and therefore is not a child of God.
Overall, I did enjoy this and found the plot very intriguing. I'm giving this a 3.5 rating. I recommend this to anyone interested on a new take of the Christmas Carol.
Firstly, I have to give the author props for attempting this. Taking a classic and mixing things up with a what-if situation, not only takes guts but a lot of dedication if one wishes to really stay true to the original. I believe the author did take pains to not only immerse the reader into the world of Cratchit and Scrooge, but also did his upmost to make it fit. There were some parts that seemed off or tweaked in order to accommodate the new story, . Overall, despite the hiccups, I could see the majority working.
The character's personalities were accurate, and the writing flowed nicely. I thought there some valuable messages to take back, such as: not letting fear control your actions and the fact that our choices today effect tomorrow's outcomes. I liked seeing the story through Cratchit's POV and a bit of his backstory.
There were a few things I didn't like:
1) The word "love" was used entirely too much to the point that it lost its meaning.
2) I didn't agree with the message of "If you want it bad enough and desire it, then you'll get it." Can you have a goal or dream? Sure. But just wanting it isn't enough. The desire to achieve or reach said goal should drive you to work for it.
3) Sort of under the same umbrella as the previous one, one of the ghosts made a point of telling Bob that he "deserved" a better future. While the treatment from Scrooge was wrong and we all want better for Bob, I don't think I'd go as far to say he deserved it. People aren't entitled to anything.
4) Scrooge was referred to as a child of God pre-ghostly visit. Creation of God? Yes. Loved unconditionally by God? Yes. But from his fruits, it's a safe assumption to say Scrooge is an unbeliever and therefore is not a child of God.
Overall, I did enjoy this and found the plot very intriguing. I'm giving this a 3.5 rating. I recommend this to anyone interested on a new take of the Christmas Carol.
November 25, 2021
Av Joyful New Perspective
The author imagines that spirits visit Bob Cratchit and they show him visions that change his life. The story only takes about an hour to read, yet reminds you to set aside your fears and live every day like it is Christmas. It’s easy to give this book to several friends and relatives as a gift.
The author imagines that spirits visit Bob Cratchit and they show him visions that change his life. The story only takes about an hour to read, yet reminds you to set aside your fears and live every day like it is Christmas. It’s easy to give this book to several friends and relatives as a gift.
November 10, 2021
A clever spin-off of a familiar Christmas tale
Leonard Szymczak’s latest book interplays with Dicken’s famous tale in a delightful and heart-warming way. The author weaves together solid spiritual and psychological insights that leave the reader much to consider, beyond the “feel-good” unfolding of the Bob Cratchit story. This “untold miracle” is full of wisdom, and very imaginative (as evidenced in the small detail of naming the two Charity collectors Mr. Bell and Mr. Jingle 😊 and drawing on a some other familiar names from Dicken’s famous novels.)
Looking for a nice Christmas stocking stuffer? This is it! Szymczak’s book would also provide excellent discussion points for a Christmas book-club meeting!
Kudos to the author!
Leonard Szymczak’s latest book interplays with Dicken’s famous tale in a delightful and heart-warming way. The author weaves together solid spiritual and psychological insights that leave the reader much to consider, beyond the “feel-good” unfolding of the Bob Cratchit story. This “untold miracle” is full of wisdom, and very imaginative (as evidenced in the small detail of naming the two Charity collectors Mr. Bell and Mr. Jingle 😊 and drawing on a some other familiar names from Dicken’s famous novels.)
Looking for a nice Christmas stocking stuffer? This is it! Szymczak’s book would also provide excellent discussion points for a Christmas book-club meeting!
Kudos to the author!
November 14, 2021
Uplifting read
What a wonderful reminder of the important things in life. An enjoyable read with inspirational messages. A Great holiday gift.
What a wonderful reminder of the important things in life. An enjoyable read with inspirational messages. A Great holiday gift.
November 4, 2021
Beautiful Story
How great it is to bring the story of Scrooge into contemporary spirituality. As “A Christmas Carol” is a classic so will the story of Bob Cratchit live on in the minds of its readers to remind us all of the power of love.
How great it is to bring the story of Scrooge into contemporary spirituality. As “A Christmas Carol” is a classic so will the story of Bob Cratchit live on in the minds of its readers to remind us all of the power of love.
December 18, 2025
This book provides an interesting perspective of Bob Cratchet’s life. The overall premise is that he is poor because he lives in fear of Tiny Tim’s future, Scrooge’s power over him, etc. Bob gets visitations from 3 spirits at the same time as Scrooge does which changes his future.
December 4, 2025
Basically, stealing from Dickens. A bit cheesy.
November 19, 2022
This was a great re-telling of Charles Dickens Classic A Christmas Carol and I very much liked this changed version! A great, heartwarming Christmas book!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews