Customer Reviews

Marley's Ghost

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Mark Osmun's great imagination has taken us behind the scenes of a story we have read or watched on television annually since we were kids. Even with our familiarity with the story we knew virtually nothing about Jacob Marley, without whom The Christmas Carol would never have been written. Five stars for cleverness alone. To his credit, Osmun chose not to imitate the Dicken's style yet he put coal dust in my teeth together with a clostrophobic shortness of breath as I read through Marley's experience. Marley's journey is a wonderful metaphor for the journey we all travel as we ask questions about good and evil and our relationships with God and our fellow man. Marley's quest to save Scrooge is a journey of love from a man who has known everything but love. "When the time comes - How will you choose?"

In Marley's Ghost, Mark Osmun has written a brilliant "prequel" to Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". Here is the story of Jacob Marley whose ghost appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge to announce the coming of three spirits that legendary Christmas Eve. Jacob was a fugitive, prodigy, gambler, miner, mentor, corruptor and Ebenezer's partner in exploiting the vulnerable, the unwary, and the needy. Jacob was himself both victim and villain, capable of nobility and vile behavior. After his death Jacob wanders a frozen hell seeking answers and redemption. There he becomes a pawn in the battle between Light and Dark, ultimately compelled to choose between God and the Devil as the future of all human kind hangs in the balance. Marley's Ghost is a compelling, superbly crafted, original novel that does full justice to Dickens and is a memorable testament which may well become a classic itself!

Mark Osmun successfully captures the imagination with this twisted tale of greed and compassion. Though Marley lived his life on the dark side, you can't help but cheer him on during his journey through pain. Given a life of merciless and solitude, you sense his heart is capable of more. A great read!!

THE WRITER IS A VERBAL ARTIST. ALL MY SENSES WERE TUNED TO EACH SCENE FROM THE DAMP COAL MINES AND THE LONDON STREETS TO CANDLELIT DISCUSSIONS AMONG SPIRITS. MARLEY'S GHOST IS A DELIGHTFUL TREAT THAT BRINGS, NOT ONLY ENJOYMENT, BUT MANY MOMENTS OF REFLECTION. IT'S A BOOK THAT MAKES YOU THINK! HOPE HIS NEXT BOOK COMES OUT SOON. THIS IS A GREAT READ FOR EVERY SEASON.

The beauty of Mark Osmun's book, "Marley's Ghost", like that of other good "prequels", is that it puts flesh on the bones of a character who, in the primary work, was left two-dimensional, or berift of humanity in order to serve a symbolic purpose. Marley, in Dicken's "A Christmas Carol", was just such a character -- central, really, to all action and development that followed his appearance, but nothing more than (literally and figuratively) a spectre agent.

Anyone interested in Dickens, or in A Christmas Carol, will enjoy Marley's Ghost for the highlighting it gives, not only to the book it attempts to presage, but also to the ideals and concepts that Dickens clearly tried to impart in A Christmas Carol: humanity, existentialism and, ultimately, the redemption that may connect the two. That it also breathes life into Marley and makes him a complex though altogether human character -- and tells a story of his own personal trials and redemption in Victorian England -- is almost a bonus. Without giving away too much, the book also rounds out the symbolic facades of some of the other characters (both corporeal and incorporeal) who move the action to its climax in A Christmas Carol.

P.S. This reviewer has heard one or two complaints about Marley's Ghost that go as follows: on one hand, a few have commented that Osmun's book is not written exactly in Dickens' style and wording, and on the other hand, that it is too Dickensian. To both sides, may I simply say that while a prequel certainly invites comparisons in style and syntax, it should be judged by the extent to which it elucidates the original and not only captures the theme but somehow bolsters or underlines that theme, without slavish imitation. I think Osmun has succeeded on all counts.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book - found it hard to put down. Have read most of Dickens and Osmun "does Dickens proud". Highly immagnative with a fine plot and excellent writing. Morley becomes a real person in the Dickens tradition and Scrooge's past is finally understood.

Obviously lots of careful research to assure authentic and realistic period description. Never clear where the author is taking you until you get there. The "Marley's Ghost" section is stunning in its conception and its execution.

Osmun feels strongly about the exploitation and suffering of children and adds to Dickens body of work in this area.

An ambitious and successful undertaking. Recommend it highly for young adults up to old timers like me.

After a lifetime of loving Dicken's treasure it was delightful to read and enjoy Marley's Ghost. This story will stick with you for a long time and often pops up when life decisions beckon. Read it and you will agree Osmun has combined his research and imagination with colorful language to make you feel a part of life in England, You are sure when the story melts into Dicken's that this was the way it had to have happened.

Osmun created a fantastic voyage into 18th century English life -- particularly the dark side. We all know the ending before we begin, but I am in awe of how he got us there. This is a deeper, more insightful novel than a Christmas Carol.

"Marley's Ghost" is a brilliantly executed examination of the choices we make in life. The repeated symbolism of dark and light--winter/summer, underground mines/outdoor pastures, good/evil, Lucifer/God, paganism/Christianity--all subtly point to the crossroads in life that we all face. The version offered here is very good, but the version offered on the author's own site--his first and last name together, followed by the most common address suffix--is even better in that it also includes Dickens's original "A Christmas Carol" at the end: prequel and orginal for the price of one. Superior to what the used book vultures are hawking.

I had a hard time putting this book down - which suprised me. The descriptions put me in the book and the tale of Jacob Marley. Definitely will be recommending this book and giving this book as a gift!