This CD version of the Dickens classic feels more like a theatrical production than the typical audio book. In fact, the publisher calls it a "radio play." Rather than a single narrator there is an entire cast of performers, supplemented by ghostly sound effects, crunching snow, festive music, and other aural touches. The production is lively and the performances (men, women, and children alike) are engaging. This is a nice alternative to reading the novel, which can be difficult for younger children. Also, while true to the Scrooge narrative, it isn't quite as scary as some of the film versions. The story moves along smoothly for a brisk, one-hour listening, making it ideal for a family Christmas activity or car ride. -Parents Choice Award
This enjoyable audio adaptation of the preeminent Dickens classic opens with festive holiday music and features crisp and haunting state-of-the-art sounds: creaking doors, chimingCHURCH BELLS, winter winds, and rattling chains. But what keeps the production grounded and refreshing is that the script stays very close to the heightened language and keen dialogue of the original 1843 text. We all know the dialogue of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim (their story is a part of our cultural DNA), and the cast does an admirable job bringing the sounds of Christmases Past, Present, and Future to life. Though it's been adapted and performed in every imaginable setting and time period, as this production artfully illustrates, A CHRISTMAS CAROL can be most extraordinary when served traditionally. B.P. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2014]
