An Alternative Christmas Carol

by Matt Shaw

From the dark mind of Matt Shaw, author of Sick B*stards and Octopus, comes a new take on a classic tale. What if Scrooge saw his past, was reminded of his present and had a glimpse of his future but did not care for how he was perceived by the Spirits offering redemption and salvation? “If I am to be damned with slim chance to yet redeem myself than for why spend the rest of my waking days in trying to make amends when I can but face my demons early and enjoy the warmth offered from the free flames of Hell? You say that this is the fate that awaits unless I change my ways and wants and yet the man you’ve shown is the one whom I am and am proud to be. The what-if is all but weak, the kind of man seen staggering down a street with not a penny in his pocket and yet still taken for a fool by those passing by. I may well be remembered in ways seen as hateful or hurtful but, my spirit, living like this - I am at least remembered.” What if the visits turn Scrooge darker still?!

Genres: Christmas

100 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2022

About the author

Biography

MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.


Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.

Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good concept, but too much of a rehash to become its own genuine, alternative story. It's been years since I read the original Dickens' classic, but I remember enough of it. Shaw spent a great majority of the time here reviewing what had already been done and not nearly enough effort developing its own unique premise. I was hoping that this would breeze past the original story and start off post-Spirit of Things to Come, with Scrooge not being positively affected by the spirits. And we would witness what happened from Christmas morning forward, following this miser who just couldn't be salvaged, even by the otherworldly entities. And this was also terribly short with a really underwhelming ending, too. I'm noticing that a lot of Shaw's shorter fare just have these drop off endings that feel incomplete. Not sure if there is a purpose for that or if he's just not sure how to finish some of the stories. I'd recommend the Dickens' original ahead of this one, any day of the week.

[Amina Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bah! Humbug!

I love Matt Shaw’s gruesome take on Ebenezer Scrooge!

You’ll be a damned fool to miss it 😂

[Chris Orme · Rating 4 out of 5]

1/150 (2021 Reading Challenge)

First finished book, novella perhaps, of the year a quick one for this self contained Christmas story that read as the season ends for the year. It’s always odd Reading Xmas stories too long after Christmas so better finish ones I bought this year shortly.

I’ve only read one of this authors work before. (Rotting Dead F***s) that was okay & some of his short stories in collections too. Like any genre/sub-genre ‘Extreme’ horror can be a mixed bag.

Despite usually seeing his works with a warning on them this one does not have one. It is not an extreme horror novel. So if that element puts you off it is not here.

The story itself, without spoilers is a retelling of a Christmas carol. It has been done many times. From Muppets to Mickey Mouse to Bill Murray. This retelling changes the character of Scrooge & makes him far worse. The tagline on the front being ‘some people can’t be saved’. So you kind of get this is no story of redemption from the off. It follows the same basics. Christmas Eve, 3 Ghosts,Tiny Tim etc.Though other characters like the spirits have changes too. Though they are still past, present & future.

It was an enjoyable read though if not exceptional but a decent spooky Christmas tale suit the season. You need at least one type of Christmas carol each year. Be it the original or retelling. This was mine this year & I do not regret it. It’s worth a buy for the price for a short read on your Christmas holidays. Or otherwise if you feel like it.

[Samantha Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎄🎁 Book #1 for #Christmas2021 🎄🎁

"An Alternative Christmas Carol" by Matt Shaw

💥This story could be considered rather extreme for some. Please proceed with caution.💥

"What if Scrooge saw his past, was reminded of his present and had a glimpse of his future but did not care for how he was perceived by the Spirits offering redemption and salvation?"

This was an intriguing retelling of the classic Scrooge and I must admit, I was NOT ready for that ending 😳. I did expect much more graphic content because most Shaw books that contain the notable black cover are suuuuuper extreme, but this one is pretty tame in comparison. However, that definitely didn't take away from the story for me and I enjoyed it very much. 3.5 🌟

[Khurshid Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Carol retelling by the king of dark horror Matt Shaw.

We know of Scrooge’s famous line “Ba Humbug

We know of the visits from the ghosts of Christmas past present and future.

In this retelling we see them with black eyes, maggots coming from their mouths and a tiny baby.

Imagine a scrooge with such a blackened heart who commits murder without remorse. This shows a side to scrooge that only Matt Shaw can create

A scrooge who is happy to end up in hell

Where scrooge ends up is a twist that we do not see coming

[Max Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Wow, I absolutely love this reworked tale by Matt Shaw, it caught my attention from the first page and I was hooked. Fantastic read from start to finish. Thoroughly recommend.

[kim wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Rea!ly enjoyed this retelling of Scrooge. Am a huge fan of Matt's work ,this book did not disappoint. Would recommend

[Rachel M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love A Christmas Carol, lots of great versions of it, Matt Shaws included! Great quick Christmassy read!

[Deb O rah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I was expecting more than what was given

[Erica Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!! A very different take on A Christmas Carol, not how I thought it would go.

[luckykarmatx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shaw’s Scrooge has got to be the most joyless individual ever! This didn’t have the level of extreme horror that I’ve come to expect from this author, but the twist at the end was most unexpected.

[Kimberly N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great alternative ending! This was a good holiday read. Short and fun.

[jd & angie grafton · Rating 4 out of 5]

another good one.

I enjoyed reading this book during the holidays. Matt ropes you even in this book along with his many others.

[Paige Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Extreme take on Scrooge by Matt Shaw!