The Christmas Hirelings

By: Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Narrated by: Richard Armitage

Richard Armitage modernizes a classic hidden gem of Christmas Past… Sir John Penlyon is planning to spend Christmas at his estate with his niece and his friend Danby, the closest thing he has to family since disowning his daughter years ago. (She eloped with the parson, who was, of course, penniless.) Danby suggests that at Christmastime the estate needs the presence of small children, and offers to find some - the “hirelings” - despite Sir John’s skepticism. Three children duly arrive, and the youngest, precocious four year-old Moppet, quickly endears herself to Sir John. The season takes flight with merriment, warmth, and even affection, until Moppet - as young children are wont to do in Victorian holiday tales - falls deathly ill. With her life hanging by a tinsel-thin thread, how will the makeshift family cope?

Listeners who smile ironically at the antiquated juxtaposition of The Christmas Hirelings might be surprised by the contemporary feel of a blended family, income inequality, and the power of togetherness to heal past sorrows. Richard Armitage’s stellar voice makes each scene as rich as a plum pudding dotted with the raisins of tradition (party favors, carols, and more!), and the entire performance feels like a trip to bygone England…just in time for the end of this year.

Public Domain (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Short Simple Victorian Christmas Story

"The Christmas Hirelings" is your typical Victorian Christmas tale, with plenty of crotchety old men and poor pleading children and simple social misunderstandings to go around. But that's basically it. It definitely seems like something Charles Dickens could have written in his sleep. If your copy of "A Christmas Carol" is falling apart from overuse, then I'd certainly recommend giving this one a try. But it hardly lends anything NEW to the genre.

I can see this as being a seasonal sensation when it was first published, and I can see people gifting this tale to one another as a sweet little holiday parcel, but I wouldn't really study this work seriously. You can see the ending from a mile away, but I do admit that when the ending did come it was less tidy than I thought it would've been, so I've got to give it that.

This is the 2018 Audible audiobook that members got for free as a Christmas gift. It was a short listen that was nice to have on in the background while wrapping presents and cooking dinner. Gave me a break from Christmas music at least.

Simply adorable

What a charming little Christmas story. I enjoyed every minute of it. Vivid descriptions and memorable characters.

So sweet!

This story is about an old man who, by suggestion of his friend, invites several little children into his manor for Christmas. The grumpy old man soon remembers what it's like to love another person, and that maybe there can still be a richness to life even in his old age.

Audible said this was a well known classic, so even though I'd never heard of it and there's no indication that any of my friends have read it either, I decided I'd give it a chance. After all, with Richard Armitage narrating, how bad could it be? ;)

I did enjoy it a lot. It's very sweet and the children were adorable. There was even a little bit of a surprise reveal and healing in the latter part that was wonderful to see. I won't spoil anyone, but it was something that resulted in a broken family being made whole, and I'll read stories about that any day. This was short and sweet enough I can easily imagine myself reading it again in future Christmases. 100% recommended to lovers of historical fiction and Christmas stories.

A Christmas gift

This was a delightful little tale that was a welcome thing at the turning of the year.

Warning: Don't listen to this while driving

I do most of my audiobook listening on the move -- running errands, on road trips and vacations -- and until The Christmas Hirelings I never felt the need to avoid any genre of book or emotions said audio performances elicited. That is, until this uniquely touching novel that in the last 30 minutes had me bawling like a baby and quickly wiping tears so I could see the road ahead. What an uplifting tale that, though written in and about the 19th C, is replete with universal truths and enough holiday cheer to melt even a grinch's hardened heart.
Armitage, as always, brings every character to life in a most unique way, especially 4-year-old Moppet. I challenge anyone not to fall in love with her and this audiobook, which is going straight into my account's "purchased" column.

Suburb!

This is a lovely warm journey for the holidays or for that matter any days. I will add this to my favorite stories of all time. Undoubtedly, you will too. Enjoy!

Wonderful

I am not a reader per say but I sm so thankful that I did not miss this enchanting and heartwarming story. Thanks you Audible !

Lighthearted

I love Christmas, but am not in to romance novels. It seems to me that most Christmas themed books are centered around romance. This was a nice, lighthearted story to get me in to the Christmas spirit

A Wonderful Christmas Carol

Admittedly, the story begins a little slowly. It is somewhat predictable, as well.
That being said, this is one of those wonderful stories in the vain of "A Christmas Carol" mixed with those stories such as "Annie" or, more modernly, "Downton Abbey", masterfully delivered by Richard Armitage.

Great story, excellent performance.

missing children in your home at christmas? maybe you could hire some. of course that could be fraught with problems too, as Lord John finds out.