A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry

Although I've known the story of "A Christmas Carol" since I was a child, my knowledge of it came mostly from Mr Magoo and Disney; I had never actually read the book until now. This audio reading was a special treat: The story itself is excellent in all its descriptive detail, and Tim Curry does an outstanding job as the reader. There were many times I had to remind myself that all the characters were 'played' by one actor. Highly recommend listening to this book!

I absolutely love Dickens. This is one of those stories where it has moved almost into the soul and center of Christmas. Dickens' style is sharp, his wit is evident, and the story flows like a crisp, step waterfall. I could imagine a December without Ebenezer Scrooge, like I could imagine a December without lights, peppermint, Nativity scenes or Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas'. This was the first year I shared the story with my kids and they enjoyed it as much as I did.

I'm already a fan of Charles Dickens, and of A Christmas Carol--unabridged edition. The whole book has so much heart and detail that can never fit into even the best movie version. I'm also a big fan of other readings of this book. But Tim Curry did a wonderful job. His rattling voice of Jacob Marley is not to be missed, plus he brought out the humorous parts very well. Thank you, Audible, for this wonderful gift!

Tim Curry is one of the last people I would have thought of in connection with "A Christmas Carol": my image of him is more the snivelling villain type, a kind of Uriah Heep. To my surprise, he does a bang-up job. The narration is clear and well-paced, and the characters are all given distinctive voices. Curry's reading of Scrooge himself is one of the best I've heard; and his Marley wheezes and gasps like a real ghost. (Not that I've ever actually encountered one outside this story.) Small things matter too: the five "staves" of the tale are labelled as such rather than being turned into "chapters" as on some other recordings.

I've built quite a collection of performances and adaptations of this tale over the years, starting with Mr Magoo. This version will definitely be one of the ones I return to in future.

You have heard this story a thousand times before but you have not truly heard the story until you listen to Tim Curry. He is a genius. Get this book for the holiday season!

I'll admit I was a bit skeptical about whether or not I would enjoy such an oft-told literary classic (and I have heard disappointing versions before), but Tim Curry's fantastic narration grabbed me right from the first minute and didn't let go until the end! The emotions of the characters and Dickens' humorous wit really come through in his compelling rendition. I didn't pause it once from start to finish. I laughed, I cried (well, just a little!), and I enjoyed it completely. Recommended!!!

Like setting the star on top the tree, Christmas is complete when we've heard at least some version of Dickens's A Christmas Carol -- and as much as I've enjoyed every one of the many homages to Dicken's Carol, (from Alastair Sim to Mr. Magoo to Bill Murray to Scrooge McDuck) nothing warms the cockles like the original icy Scrooge..."tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner, hard and sharp as flint"... without Mr. Scrooge, there is something missing in Christmas. "Marley was dead..." those opening lines send shivers of memories and delight through me each year I hear them anew. Stupendous production, Curry's expressive and distinctive voice alone is an ensemble; for 3 1/2 hours I was as mesmerized as the first time I read the story. Dickens is always a favorite, but perhaps at his wisest and timeless best here.

While there are a myriad of TV and movie versions of this wonderful tale, most eliminate the darker and more thoughtful parts of the story. Hearing it read in its entirety, and by a favorite actor of mine, is truly a joy.

I've been completely enthralled by this audio book. It is so well done as to feel much more like a dramatic production than a simple narration. I'm not a great fan of Tim Curry normally, but his portrayals of Dicken's characters is full-hearted and spot-on (but not over the top or in any way goofy, which is what I had feared). Highly recommended.

Tim Curry is a fabulous reader. I thoroughly enjoyed his rendition of the timeless story!