Audible Book Review: A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry

This is a spectacular performance - great listening.
A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry
Written by: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Tim Curry

Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-01-10
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Classics, British Literature
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

This version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, masterfully narrated by Tim Curry, was available for a limited time last year, and now it's back. This one-of-a-kind performance puts a unique spin on a treasured classic, and served as the inspiration for the exciting new line of Audible Signature Classics, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with Elijah Wood, and Heart of Darkness with Kenneth Branagh. Tim Curry performs this timeless holiday story in a deliciously dark tone, returning it to its Dickensian roots with a vivid imagining of Victorian London and just the right touch of outrageous fun.

A Christmas Carol has constantly been in print since its original publication in 1849, and has been adapted for stage, television, film, and opera. It has often been credited with returning the jovial and festive atmosphere to the holiday season in Britain and North America, following the somber period that emerged during the Industrial Revolution.

The story opens on a bleak and cold Christmas Eve as Ebenezer Scrooge is closing up his office for the day. As the story progresses and Christmas morning approaches, Scrooge encounters the unforgettable characters that make this story a classic: Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and, of course, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

Listen to more Audible Signature Classics now.
Public Domain(P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Most of us read A Christmas Carol when we were young. And there have been many video versions to enjoy. I decided it was time to listen to the original story with a unique narrator. It was wonderful to read/listen to this great classic. Of course, Dickens is a master writer. The language is ‘classic’ in its richness – great descriptions that put the reader right there in the scene. It has been a long time since I have read the 'original' and I enjoyed the strong message of transformation. In this listening though I heard more of the background messages regarding the conditions of men.

Tim Curry does a superb job of narrating. For one thing – I didn’t hear the Tim Curry I might have pictured or expected villains and dark). Yes, he carried the dark tone of the story but with so much more! I heard a spot on British accent which changed appropriately with the characters and expressed the emotions and enthusiasm at all the right points. Curry wheezes, gasps, chortles and cheers. He even shares the wonderful exclamation by Tiny Tim.

I encourage everyone to listen to and enjoy this classic. A perfect sharing, especially at Christmas time.

This has been in my Audible library since 2012. It is part of my Audio Challenge.