Friday, December 19, 2014

Tim Cratchit's Christmas Carol by Jim Piecuch

272 p.
Publisher: Pocket Star
Published: 11/3/14
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

Tiny Tim is all grown up in this continuation of Charles Dickens’s beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol, and this time, a certain ghost shows him the true meaning of Christmas cheer! 
In A Christmas Carol, evil Scrooge was shown the error of his ways by three helpful ghosts and vowed to become a better person. Bob Cratchit and his family benefited most from Scrooge’s change of tune—but what happened after the goose was given, and Scrooge resolved to turn over a new leaf? 
Tim Cratchit’s Christmas Carol shows us Tiny Tim as an adult. Having recovered from his childhood ailment, he began his career helping the poor but has since taken up practice as a doctor to London’s wealthy elite. Though Tim leads a very successful life, he comes home at night to an empty house. But this holiday season, he’s determined to fill his house with holiday cheer—and maybe even a wife.

When a single, determined young mother lands on Tim’s doorstep with her ailing son, Tim is faced with a choice: stay ensconced in his comfortable life and secure doctor’s practice, or take a leap of faith and reignite the fire lit under him by his mentor, Scrooge, that fateful Christmas so many years ago.
My thoughts:

Surprise! Yes, I did read a holiday book... during the holidays! LOL

A Christmas Carol and all it's incarnations (Scrooged! for one...) have always been my favorite holiday kind of read. I've always said that I love a book where the character grows and that book's main message is about growth. So, what happened after? How is Tiny Tim all grown up supposed to have an epiphany? I mean he wasn't a horrid boy and in this incarnation he isn't a horrid adult either. In fact he is a doctor and surgeon. His skills are renown as is his kindness. However, he has lost his way a little bit and fallen into practice with a doctor as mean as Scrooge was at the beginning of A Christmas Carol. So, Tim needs a little push, a small shove to correct his course in life. Scrooge is now likened to a guardian angel who helps, but it is the actions of Tim himself that sets things to right. Scrooge is only the one presenting opportunities not ultimatums.

I really enjoyed myself with this story. It was nice following Tim and how he felt responsible in returning the favor Scrooge presented to him. I also enjoyed his shy romance. We are also not without an adorable child to complete the scene. While this isn't the big epiphany we get with Scrooge, we still get some redemption for Tim as he finds his way back to himself and happiness. Besides, a big epiphany wasn't needed here.

I give this book 5 stars. If you are looking for a sweet read that completes a circle started with A Christmas Carol, then I suggest this book. It is a great holiday read.

14 comments:

  1. I need to read more holiday themed reads, I never seem to get enough of them worked into my reading schedule! I love that this plays with a Christmas Carol, I don't think I've ever read a book that does that (and that's saying something since nearly every classic has been remixed a million times these days). Glad you enjoyed this so much. Lovely review!

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    1. I usually don't but this one fell at the right time for the year. I had to know what happened to Tim. :)

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  2. LOVE the sound of this Melissa! I've definitely always wondered what became of Tiny Tim:) I haven't read anything holiday themed yet, and I think that needs to change immediately!

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    1. I think you'll enjoy this one. It isn't so much redemptive as it is inspiring.

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  3. I've always wondered what happened to Timmy; what a great idea for a book! I'm a reluctant Xmas story reader, but I don't think that I'm going to be able to resist this one for long. Happy Friday, Melissa!

    Carmel @ Rabid Reads

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  4. Wow five stars, I am surprised. It does sound interesting and A Christmas Carol has always been one of my favs. Now I want to read this.

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    1. I think it just fit perfectly into the story and was a good addition to A Christmas Carol.

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  5. Wahoo! I didn't know you were addicted to A Christmas Carol. Have you read Jacob T. Marley By R. William Bennett? That should be your holiday read next year :)

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  6. Woots! Yay for Christmas books. I'm a junkie for them. ALL of them. lol

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  7. Oh yes I love books like that and this one sounds so fun and perfect for christmas!

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  8. Christmas books are always the best books for this time of year! Glad you enjoyed this one Melissa :)

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