Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett is a fictional book that follows the life and after-life of its title character. Many people will recognize Marley’s name from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
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“What a wretched man, Marley thought. Whatever in the world made him? Whether it was seconds or minutes, Marley did not know, but he paused so completely he thought his heart had stopped beating. I did, were his own words that came to him. I did. I made Ebenezer Scrooge.”
Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett is a heartwarming tale that focuses on a small, yet relevant character from Dickens’ classic story. The line “Marley was dead to begin with” resonates with a lot of people and Mr. Bennett took it one step further.
Dickens created Marley as the partner of one Ebenezer Scrooge. Marley came to warn Scrooge to straighten his errand ways before he will be judged in the afterlife.
Much like A Christmas Carol is the story of Scrooge’s redemption, Jacob T. Marley is the story of Marley’s redemption but first, we get a history of who was Jacob Marley and why was he chosen as an announcer to Scrooge.
Mr. Bennett does a decent job of writing in Dickensian style, evoking a classic feel for the book by being overly pompous. The story of Scrooge is being re-told from a fresh perspective, but still reminiscent enough to recall the original.
Dickens made Scrooge almost a caricature of a miser, a man so enthralled with profit that he forgets his humanity. Unfortunately, we see more and more of this every day. Sick-care CEOs who drop customers so they can make a profit (rescission – unmaking of a contract), fund managers stealing hard-earned retirement money (I know it’s legal, it’s still stealing), banks foreclosing on homes with no mortgages, real estate agents working in cahoots with buyers, lawyers and banks to screw over those all of them are suppose look out for, etc.
Worst, the Scrooges of the world are alive and well, better than ever, and making laws.
At times the book felt a bit preachy, I know a Jewish guy is not the ideal audience, but heck, I love the Christmas season. If you liked A Christmas Carol or Christmas books in general, you’d like this book as well.
So tell me, what is your favorite Christmas story?
Jacob T. Marley, son of loving parents, grandson of a heroic man became a miser and miserable human being. When he meets Ebeneezer Scrooge he encourages him to also meet his high standards of business, but low standards for a human being.
On his death bed, realizing that his partner of 30 years only sees him as an entry in the ledger he realizes his own doing.
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Zohar – Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free.
*AmaÂzon links point to an affilÂiÂate account, the money is usually spent on books
Article first published as Book Review: Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett on Blogcritics.
This post appeared in the Book Review Blog Carnival #83.
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My wife and I have read this book together every Christmas since its publication.
Every year we are inspired by the story.
Every year we see truths that were not apparent in our previous readings.
We are so grateful that Bill Bennett listened to the spirit guide him during the writing process.
This book is inspired by powers greater than we mere mortals.
Thank you Bill Bennett. Write on.
Respectfully
Robert and Rachel