Humbug: Scrooge Before the Ghosts
Humbug: Scrooge Before the Ghosts by Sarah Whelan, published by Mascot Books on November 7, 2023, is a 336-page exploration of Ebenezer Scrooge’s life prior to his transformative encounters with the ghosts of Christmas. This narrative delves into the complexities of Scrooge’s character, revealing the events and choices that shaped him into the miserly figure known from A Christmas Carol. The book presents a nuanced portrayal of Scrooge, highlighting his relationships and the dark secrets that influence his disdain for Christmas and his interactions with family and colleagues.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of historical and literary elements woven throughout the story, as it examines Scrooge’s struggles against the societal expectations of the Victorian era. The narrative offers insights into his past as a loving uncle and successful businessman, juxtaposed with the soul-crushing losses and destructive decisions that lead him down a path of sorrow and uncertainty. Humbug invites readers to reconsider the familiar character of Scrooge, revealing layers of depth and complexity that may challenge their understanding of his motivations and experiences.
Official synopsis Publisher
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.”
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