Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
"I wear the chain I forged in life," Jacob Marley says in Dickens's A Christmas
Carol. In this moving, cleverly imagined life of Scrooge's late partner, Osmun
reveals precisely how that chain was forged.
Jacob Marley, born Jacob Turner, lives in bourgeois comfort with his handicapped
twin brother, Ezra, until the age of nine, when their father, a small farmer threatened
with debtor's prison, shoots himself. Soon afterwards, their mother dies, and the
boys end up slaving in a coal mine called Elizabeth's Furnace.
At 13, Jacob is framed for the murder of the odious mine foreman. Thrown into
prison, he is finally rescued seven years later, in 1796, by cardsharp Bill Worthy. A
paradoxical figure, Worthy is a scoundrel with a heart of gold, who takes Jacob under
his wing and gives him his new name. The two become partners and gradually turn
their illicit dealings into a legitimate, successful business.
Since guilt-ridden Marley believes Ezra died without his protection, his capacity for
affection withers. Only one person elicits some kindness from him, his clerk, the
young Ebenezer Scrooge. Unfortunately, Scrooge's own emotional life is desiccated
both by his association with Marley and the death during childbirth of his beloved
sister, Fan.
It is after Marley dies that the story as Dickens's readers know it begins to reveal
itself. Marley is approached by Lucifer and given a chance to help one mortal. At the
same time, he discovers that his beloved brother is still alive. He makes his difficult
choice when he realizes that Scrooge needs his message of salvation more than Ezra
does. Osmun's para-Dickensian tale is a solid piece of historical imagining,
accurately reflecting the social and economic conditions of England in the 1800s.
The noted artist Wendell Minor has designed the jacket for this promising debut.
(Sept.)"
Kim Curtis, Associated Press, December 21, 2000
“...wonderfully written exploration of good vs. evil...true to the characters and style
of the classic tale that inspired it.”
Sylvia Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle
"A true Christmas tale."
Foreword Magazine, Sept. 2000
"(a) compelling tale... masterfully written story...weaving a colorful tapestry... and
adding a new dimension to a legendary story."
Herb Moskovitz, The Dickens Fellowship
"Dickensian in its scope....readers will enjoy in Christmas 2000 and for years to
come."
B. Lynn Goodwyn, Haven's List
"Osmun has created a world of violence and struggle punctuated with moments of
brotherly love. His work is powerful."
Arlene Corsello, KVON-FM radio
“Fascinating, compelling, captures feeling of the time extremely well.”
J. Peder Zane, Scripps Howard News Service/Raleigh News Observer, Dec. 20, 2000
"...engaging...a thoughtful, fast-paced novel...a satisfying prequel. By wrestling with
fate and faith, it reinforces Dickens' great message."
Georgia Rowe, Knight Ridder Syndicate, Dec. 16, 2000
"...a chilling prequel to Dickens' work."
Midwest Book Reviews
In Marley's Ghost, Mark Osmun has written a brilliant "prequel" to Charles
Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". Here is the story of Jacob Marley whose
ghost appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge to announce the coming of three spirits that
legendary Christmas Eve. Jacob was a fugitive, prodigy, gambler, miner, mentor,
corruptor and Ebenezer's partner in exploiting the vulnerable, the unwary, and the
needy. Jacob was himself both victim and villain, capable of nobility and vile
behavior. After his death Jacob wanders a frozen hell seeking answers and
redemption. There he becomes a pawn in the battle between Light and Dark,
ultimately compelled to choose between God and the Devil as the future of all human
kind hangs in the balance. Marley's Ghost is a compelling, superbly crafted, original
novel that does full justice to Dickens and is a memorable testament which may well
become a classic itself!
MARLEY'S GHOST Editorial Reviews
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