Why Saving Ebenezer Was My #1 Christmas Recommendation Last Year
Saving Ebenezer is one of the best novel continuations I’ve seen. While staying faithful to the original story, he gives us more and shows us where Dickens fell just a bit short of the true goal of Marley’s warning. He even brings in one tiny element of It’s a Wonderful Life, which, of course, makes perfect sense. After all, It’s a Wonderful Life is a retelling of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Saving Ebenezer begins seven years after the events of A Christmas Carol. It explores giving everything away without faith behind your actions.
After an opening line that ripped out my heart, Dan then really made the whole Cratchit family come alive. He wrote with a flair and style very similar to Dickens without the excessive wordiness that Dickens employed. The characters stayed who Dickens made them to be, but they grew because that’s what people do.
Dan spoke to how the original manuscript for this went to a much darker place than he finally ended with in his final draft. Instead of that dark place, he and his editors and beta readers worked together to make sure the book ends on hope. As we discussed in the podcast, Dickens focused on hope and love, but Dan brought the element of faith in here and created a perfect trifecta right there.
Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. This post is partially copied from last year’s review (I really couldn’t say anything more! That post is HERE).
Here’s the interview I did with Smith last year!
About the Book
Book: Saving Ebenezer
Author: S. Daniel Smith
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release date: October 12, 2021
Synopsis:
Seven years after Jacob Marley and the three ghosts of Christmas changed Ebenezer’s life, Scrooge has a problem. He’s given away most of his money and brightened many lives, restored churches, and made London workhouses better for those living and working inside. If only all of that made him feel better about his life…
Doubt plagues Ebenezer. Even with all of his philanthropy, he still has questions he can’t answer. Are the scales balanced? Did he do enough good after that fateful Christmas Eve to avoid Jacob Marley’s fate? And after a very special person dies, he adds another question: Why did God let it happen?
When he falls ill himself, Ebenezer’s questions take on a new desperation.
From the Cratchits to the workhouse fundraisers to nephew Fred, you’ll be reintroduced to several old friends, as well as a few new ones. With each visitor, Ebenezer tries to get closer to the answers to his questions. As the clock starts to run out, Ebenezer will need the words from an old friend to tip the scales in his favor.
Saving Ebenezer picks up on a story started by Charles Dickens in 1843 with A Christmas Carol. Christians will appreciate a heartwarming story of God’s love shown in tragedy while all readers will enjoy the common points between Saving Ebenezer and the original work.
About the Author
Dan Smith is a Christian, a husband, a father, a career US Navy sailor, and freelance writer living in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife and three children. His publishing history goes back 21 years when he was first published in the magazine Pentecostal Messenger.
Dan specializes in writing about life in the military, especially as it affects Christians in service. He has also tackled the issue of cystic fibrosis, the autism spectrum, and a host of other topics.
More from Dan
“I have always loved the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. From the original novella to The Muppets, I’ve been fascinated by the story. Only one thing was truly missing, and that was the real hope Christians find in Jesus Christ. In that way, Saving Ebenezer: The Continuing Saga of a man named Scrooge is my offering to my Lord. I did my best to retain the style and language of the original, as well as to stay true to the original story and characters while offering a glimpse at the hope we have in Jesus.
The biggest reason I wrote the book is to show the need for Christ. I do my best to keep from being preachy, and I believe you’ll find the book entertaining with a point. I can’t wait to hear what you think!”
Blog Stops
The Write Escape, October 13
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14
Genesis 5020, October 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 15
deb’s Book Review, October 16
Texas Book-aholic, October 17
Labor Not in Vain, October 17
Inklings and notions, October 18
For Him and My Family, October 19
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 20
Cats in the Cradle Blog, October 20
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 21
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 22
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 23
Mary Hake, October 23
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 24
Connie’s History Classroom, October 25
Denise L. Barela, Author, October 25
Betti Mace, October 26
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, S. Daniel is the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
To celebrate his tour, Bradley is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/122da/saving-ebenezer-celebration-tour-giveaway
I loved Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Saving Ebenezer sounds like a wonderful book to read, thank you for the chance to win!
This sounds like a terrific —and hope-filled— update to A Christmas Carol. I think it would make a wonderful movie, too.
I agree!
This sounds like a really cool book! It is going on top of my TBR list!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for re-sharing your review and the author interview, this sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it.
Sounds like an interesting book.