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A Christmas Carol:
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What’s A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry About?
Yeah, just kidding. We all know.
So, what did I think about A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry?
Really, all this post needs to be is: “Tim Curry read A Christmas Carol” and include a link to purchase. What else do you need? That’s pretty much all I needed to read from this post by Bookstooge.
But let me say something about the narration—it’s good, it’s really good. It’s also not what I expected, at least not fully.
I think I went into it anticipating an almost-over-the-top performance, whatever the audio-equivalent of a scenery-chewing showcase of Tim Curry excess. Which would have been delightful, make no mistake. Curry’s got one of those voices that would’ve lent itself to such a thing and I’d have made it an annual listen.
But no, Curry’s a pro. And he shows that here. He treats the material with respect and gives just the right emotional weight, sentimentality, personality, and life that the text and characters call for.
One line reading, in particular, made me chuckle (and came as close to what I anticipated as anything does):
“You will be haunted,” resumed the Ghost, “by Three Spirits.”
Scrooge’s countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost’s had done.
“Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?” he demanded, in a faltering voice.
“It is.”“I—I think I’d rather not,” said Scrooge.
I chuckled at that last line and went back to listen to it a couple of times.
This is just what I needed—did it make my heart grow three sizes that day? Nope. Too much of that moralism-disguised-as-Christianity so typical of Dickens and his era, this work will never have that effect on me. But it’s a nice dollop of holiday spirit, and sure to entertain anyone who gives it a listen.
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.
wittysarcasticbookclub
I don’t love Dickens, but I really love Tim Curry!
HCNewton
I have liked about 10% of the Dickens I’ve encountered (and Christmas Carol makes up 8 of that 10). But this story is just one of those memetic things that is so in the culture I feel like I was born knowing the story, y’know?
wittysarcasticbookclub
Absolutely!
Bookstooge
Glad it worked out so well for you. I too was expecting a zany over the top’ness that didn’t materialize but I think it was better for that and as such this edition will stick around longer.
Now, I just have to remember next year to try the Capt. Picard edition….
HCNewton
exactly! (Stewart is a little closer to over the top, but iirc, he doesn’t hit that point)