Jacob T. Marley by R. William BennettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
"Marley was dead, to begin with..." The opening line to the famous Dickens classic about Ebenezer Scrooge. This story is Marley's. He was Scrooge's partner and the first spirit to contact him on that Christmas Eve night. He had a profound impression on Scrooge that helped make him into the man everyone knew as a mean old miser. He too had his story of redemption that he hoped to pass to Scrooge before it was too late; before Ebenezer too was dead. The story begins as a pre-sequel to Dickens' famed book, giving background to Marley's life, his chance encounter with his future partner and his eventual death. The book then reflects on Scrooge and follows Marley as the spirit that visits him on that fateful Christmas Eve night. The final portion of the book reveals what happens to Scrooge after the Christmas of redemption.
This is a wonderful tale that should be a companion piece to A Christmas Carol. It could easily have been written by Dickens himself, with that same Victorian voice. I actually think I like this one better than the classic. It is still a short read but is more robust with a more powerful message.
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