Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Mr. Dickens and His Carol

by Samantha Silva

published: 2017
pages: 276
bought for my Kindle

Goodreads Summary:

Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer’s block sets in.
Frazzled and filled with self-doubt, Dickens seeks solace in his great palace of thinking, the city of London itself. On one of his long night walks, in a once-beloved square, he meets the mysterious Eleanor Lovejoy, who might be just the muse he needs. As Dickens’ deadlines close in, Eleanor propels him on a Scrooge-like journey that tests everything he believes about generosity, friendship, ambition, and love. The story he writes will change Christmas forever.

First Line:

"On that unseasonably warm November day at One Devonshire Terrace, Christmas was not in his head at all."

My Thoughts:

This was just what I needed for my Christmas spirit mood. Ms. Silva did plenty of research so she could share some tidbits of real history with how Mr. Dickens got around to writing his most famous of books. But it's a fan fiction so the details of why, when, how were obviously fictionalized. There are ghosts and angry spouses, etc.

Mr. Dickens' latest book has flopped and his agent has promised the publishers that he will do a Christmas book before Christmas. But he is not in the mood and has no desire to write one. He's in debt, his family wants him to pay all their debts. His wife has no spending limits. He grows so angry that his wife swoops off with the children to Scotland. Dickens is left alone in misery with a looming deadline. Silva takes us through possible scenarios that could have inspired Dickens' story. He finds a young actress with a son. Is she friend or foe? Can reconcile with his father? Can he get this story done and bring his family home in time for Christmas?

While the author took many liberties, it was all done with a good time in mind and a love for Dickens and his story. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy A Christmas Carol and love a good holiday read this time of year!

Favorite Quotes:

"Flee all you like," she said, turning to face him. "Your past is quicker than you are and will catch you soon enough."

"Dickens knew the deception well, but he smiled nonetheless, not for the brilliance of its execution--it was on the sloppy end of magic tricks--but for the truth at the bottom of every illusion, every fiction, every lie: our own great desire to believe."

"The night was an embroidery of stars on a taffeta sky so blue it bled all the black away."