Humbug

Scrooge Before the Ghosts

By: Sarah Whelan

Narrated by: Charles Robert Fox

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

A Christmas Carol shows us one terrible day in Ebenezer Scrooge’s life, but have you ever wondered what came before his fateful encounter with the ghosts of Christmas time? What happened to turn him into the scowling, penny-pinching old man we think we know so well?

There is so much more to this character—possibly more than Charles Dickens himself could ever have imagined.

Scrooge has compelling reasons for hating Christmas, for rejecting his fiancée and his precious nephew, and for employing Tiny Tim’s father, despite his obvious incompetence. He is a doting uncle, beloved brother, successful businessman, and passionate lover, but a dark secret puts both him and his loved ones at risk. Scrooge struggles to embrace his true self and live in defiance of the Victorian era’s repressive moral standards. Soul-crushing losses and his own destructive choices shape his fate into a twisted path of sorrow, frustration, and uncertainty—but also happiness, fulfillment, and love.

Scrooge’s own words sum it up best: “How delightfully queer life is.”

©2023 Sarah Whelan (P)2023 Sarah Whelan

My new favorite Christmas story.

I loved every part of Humbug, from the clever plot twists, which now seem completely appropriate in the context of A Christmas Carol, to the narrator’s smooth voice. A satisfying read!

Scrooge fleshed out as a complex character

Scrooge’s character development draws you in immediately. Love relationship with Marley unexpected, but well done and adds depth to the story, as does the plot development of Scrooge’s relationships with the Fizzywigs and his sister. Scrooge as the narrator of his own story give the plot complexity and reality. Loved this novel.

Intriguing and insightful twist on the story of Scrooge.

A well written story that held me until the end! The story of why Scrooge became the crotchety miser in the Christmas story was so interesting and insightful. The story was well researched to add ornate, historical details to every page. I felt empathy, joy, anger, fear, and love for Scrooge throughout this well spun tale as it tied up the loose ends of this beloved classic. You will think about these well developed characters for a long time after the story has finished. The narrator was perfect for this story. The writer has given us a new masterpiece.