Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett

21 Nov, 2011 by Heather in R William Bennett, Shadow Mountain 1 comment

Jacob T. Marley

by R William Bennett

Hardcover, 176 pages

Published October 12, 2011

by Shadow Mountain

ISBN 1590383516

Source: Publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Marley was dead to begin with . . . These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he? Written with a voice reminiscent of Dickens, Jacob T. Marley is to A Christmas Carol as the world-famous Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz as this masterfully crafted story teaches of choices, consequences, and of the power of accountability. It is sure to become a Christmas favorite.

I am going to admit something to you, dear readers: I have never actually read the book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (I have seen multiple movie version of the story, most often the Mickey Mouse version) I am not really sure why, to be honest, but after reading Jacob T. Marley, you can be certain that I will be reading the classic Dicken’s tale this December.

Jacob Marley is the ghost who ushers in Scrooge’s night of redemption, by visiting and warning him of the fate that awaits Scrooge if he does not change, and telling him of the visitors who would be visiting him that night. But, what do we know of Marley other than his being much like Scrooge in his business practices. Why was Scrooge given a change for redemption, but Marley was doomed to an eternal life of torment? In the book Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett we learn more of Marley, his life, and his death. We see his side of what happened that Christmas Eve night.

I truly enjoyed this book, written in a style that echoes Dickens (even though I have not read A Christmas Carol, I have read Dickens 🙂 ). It is a tale of heartbreak and sorrow as well joy and changing hearts. Jacob T. Marley is quick read that is certain to put you in the Christmas mood.