Charles Dickens first gave us the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge way back in 1843. We all know the story of this mean man who has a heart of stone and needs to be taught a few lessons by the ghosts of Christmas. Up until the present day, there has been no necessity to change or alter any of the characters in A Christmas Carol but, then again, there has never been a character like Donald Trump becoming President!

We’ve all grown up with A Christmas Carol, watching it year after year on television (along with The Sound of Music). However, Watt T Dickens (I love his name) has “Ebernezered” Trump to re-write the story with Nixon being the spirit who first appears to warn Trump that he will be visited by three ghosts; Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and The Ghost of the Future.

Neither Bill Clinton (the Ghost of Christmas Past) nor Barack Obama (The Ghost of Christmas Present) makes any difference to “Ebenezer” Trump’s mindset. In fact, poor Obama must hear for the umpteenth time that he was not born in America. Will the Ghost of the Future change his mind?

This book is going to be a great party entertainer. It will keep your guests amused and might even possibly cause some annoyance leading to the question being asked, “Do we really have to discuss Trump on Christmas day?”

It is a funny, quick read to keep one entertained. Will Donald Trump change into this nicer, kinder character? To quote the man himself. “HUMBUG”.

Treebeard

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

I think sometimes you need to laugh or else you’ll cry, and when it comes to Donald Trump, I have found this sentiment more and more applicable as his presidency continues. The speeches and the tweets and the mind-your-own-business messages directed at the British Prime Minister and you really have a never-ending conveyor belt of comedy goal… Although my one worry is that he is truly a faux affably evil figure and that, like the future the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows, the world really is going to end up in tatters thanks to his leadership… But those kind of spiralling and frankly terrifying thoughts are reasons why this book is so damn useful.
Laugh at the fool, don’t fear him!
A little over 100 pages, this book is a quick and easy-to-read reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic and one which is perfect to shove into any stocking of a like-minded friend or family member. It includes little caricatured drawings and just enough humour to get you sniggering, although I feel as though some of it didn’t come off of as witty as it intended (but it doesn’t pretend or intend to be a literary marvel so my criticism of that stays here). And, most weird of all, it is ridiculous how applicable the story of Ebenzer Scrooge is two hundred or so years later - I like to pretend that we’re getting nicer but we’re really not, aren’t we?
Santa, for my one wish this Christmas, can you finally impeach the buffoon?

I couldn’t help laughing out loud at some of the descriptions of the characters. A great little book.

This book based on a Christmad Carol made me laugh out loud. I loved the style of writing and it was a joy to read. I'd happily buy this book as a stocking filler for anyone who loves to see Donald Trump just being himself! Loved it. 10:10

I was offered this book by Netgalley after reading Alice's Adventures in Brexitland and like that book it does not disappoint.
We all know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption at the hands of three ghosts sent to warn him to mend his miserly ways? Well, this novella is about Ebenezer Trump the evil tweeting president of the USA small hands, weird hairdo and all. He is visited by the ghosts of past presidents who show him his awful ways. Does it work? Will Ebenezer Trump mend his ways?
Read this hilarious book and find out.
From 'Tricky Dicky' Nixon to Obama 'Big Ears' all the characters are recognisable with all the mannerisms they have in real life. I enjoyed this retelling of the famous Christmas Carol and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a satirical slant on present - day politics.

'Trump's Christmas Carol', as the title suggests, is a parody on Dickens' novel, with Trump as Ebenezer Scrooge. Marley's ghost becomes Richard Nixon, with Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present represented by Clinton and Obama. The author, Lucien Young (pen name for this title is Watt T. Dickens) crafts a clever tale for our times which loosely follows the original while making references to current events in the USA. I did wonder if the author would suggest a happy ever after ending but in fact realism does kick in at the end of this short novel. As with Young's last novel (Alice in Brexitland) the text is enhanced by illustrations which fit well with the tale. The story is also punctuated by Trump's tweets. Young does a good job of fitting the excesses of Trump's behaviour into this story and he pulls no punches in representing him as a misogynistic, power-crazy racist. I recommend this book to all wishing a brief humorous escape from the harsh realities of today's world and I look forward to Young's next parody.

Deliciously funny and satirical view of the world under Ebenezer Trump at Christmas and more disturbingly at any time. A great fun read and follow to Alice Brexit land.

Trump’s Christmas Carol by Lucien Young (Watt T. Dickens) sub-titled Being a Ghost Story of Democracy is a short book (112 pages in hardcover) parodying Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It’s easy reading, amusing and entertaining and Young doesn’t pull his punches, mercilessly portraying Trump as Scrooge, with Richard Nixon standing in for Jacob Marley, warning him he is on a path to impeachment and eternal damnation. He offers him a way to escape his fate – three spirits will visit him to show him the error of his ways.

Whilst this is a clever version of Dickens’ book I doubted that Young’s Scrooge would wake up on Christmas Day a changed man. And I much prefer Dickens’ original version where he is criticising Victorian society, its greed, self interest and lack of charity, drawing attention to the terrible living conditions of the poor – in particular to child poverty. Its timeless message is still applicable today.

My thanks to the publishers for a review copy via NetGalley.

Lucien Young has done it again. I think Watt T. Dickens perfectly describes the mental state of many people today. The writing is witty, the descriptions hilarious and so well thought out. There isn't an extraneous word anywhere or an opportunity missed to make a poignant reference. And the ending... well of course it would end that way. This is another little gem to brighten an evening even while the truth of events fills you with despair.

Trump’s Christmas Carol
Lucien Young


Book Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ❣


From the author of Alice in Brexitland comes a whole new comical title. Trump's Christmas carol follows the same humour telling the classic Christmas tale. Trump is the rich old fool, Scrooge and he is visited by 3 ghosts. Each visitor is trying to teach him to change his ways, but will stubborn Trump learn.

This book uses dark humour to highlight some of Trump's misconceptions. It try's to show how the president has made mistakes, and if he saw the people he misunderstands he may learn the errors of this ways.

This is the present to buy that quirky uncle. It has some good pictures and some fair points. It is written in a negative light toward President Trump. It is just a bit of light-hearted humour.

3.5 stars out of 5. This is something different. I enjoyed the read and thought the ideas were creative.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*


Hardcover £6.47 or Kindle £4.99, 112 pages

Published November 2nd 2017 by Ebury Press

The structure does not match the expectations of the Ebenezer character as Trump or A Christmas Carol narrative.

It would be better if the over indulgent character assassination at the start of the novel was scattered into the story as it's very indulgent and overly long.

in places the language is so off putting and politically biased that this can only be for adults not for the classroom in any way. I am not sure I would recommend this novel to anyone who does not have a well developed understanding of political satire.

Ebenezer can be reformed but Trump is not and has not been so is not credible and does not fit well in the expected character development.

The plight of Bob Cratchet's pay is not credible as he would be paid as a civil servant in the UK.

Also he is described as a servant in a way which is not contemporary. His duties being that of a house maid so the gender is wrong.

The nephew being changed in the favoured daughter does not work, it would be better as a less favoured son.

Sorry but I do not feel this novel works and would not be a credit to the novelist. A shame as I intend to give Alice in Brexitland as gifts to several friends and family.

I received a free copy from net galley.com for my fair and honest review.

LOL at the parody between Trump and Scrooge! Can we hope for a change in heart/direction from the US President?!

“President Ebenezer Trump is a rich old fool whose heart is as small as his hands and his words as false as his hair. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by three spirits, all intent on changing his evil ways....”

Bill Clinton is the jovial Ghost of Christmas Past and Barack Obama, the “big-eared” Ghost of Christmas Present. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Ebenezer how the repeal of ObamaCare finishes off Tiny Tim and how his irresponsible tweeting has led to the USA becoming a nuclear waste land by 2025. The story opens with Ivanka inviting him to spend Christmas with her family. Trump’s response is “I’ve told you a thousand times: Christmas sucks. We’re talking humbug, bigly.” And so the jokes at Trump’s expense go on.

Did I laugh out loud? Yes, a couple of times. Did I snigger? Yes, often. Do I think this book is a <i>yoooooooge”success? No. After reading the wonderfully clever [book:Alice in Brexitland|34211830], I had high expectations but the wicked wit of that book is missing here. I found some of the comments quite distasteful, e.g. the inappropriate way Trump looks at Ivanka. The cartoons in Alice were much better too and at least resembled the people they were caricaturing. Even Trump doesn’t always look like Trump in these cartoons and surely he’s easy to caricature?

The book is dedicated to “The people of the United States. You had a good run.” And maybe it will appeal more to an American audience.

With thanks to Crooked Penguin & The Failing Ebury Press and to NetGalley for a free review copy. [You see, there are some clever jokes!]

Alice in Brexitland was amusing and so was this one. The President is woven into the story of Dickens' Christmas Carol and even the Watt t Dickens author alias made me chuckle. Certainly Trump gets a personality bashing. I must confess I was surprised when I noted he was a candidate and surprised the Americans voted for "a bit of rough" with an impossible agenda. As Maggie Smith (Lady Violet in Downton Abbey) might comment in her quavering voice "That man has no breeding." The pen & ink sketches were brilliant and I liked the infamous Trump tweets. I wonder if Putin will be next on the block???

There’s no disputing the fact that Donald Trump has been comedy gold since he arrived in the White House. It’s hard to tell sometimes if it’s real or fake for example
I didn’t believe my daughter when she told me that Trump claimed he invented the word “fake” mind you I still didn’t believe it after I’d watched him say it either.

“I think one of the greatest of all terms I’ve come up with is ‘fake'," he said.
“I guess other people have used it, perhaps, over the years, but I’ve never noticed it."

Anyway I digress.

Since I’d read Alice in Brexitland by this author I received an email asking if I’d like to read this and since I’d just come from an incredibly long book (1300 pages) and this was only 104 pages I decided I’d give it a try.

It’s an entertaining little read that goes as expected but there’s lots of observations and jabs and it made me smile a lot, the illustrations are also good.

President Ebenezer Trump is visited by Nixon’s ghost who informs him ‘You will be haunted,’ resumed the Ghost, ‘by three Spirits.’
The first ghost is Bill Clinton the ghost of Christmas Past.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ said Trump.
‘I thought Nixon told you: I’m the first of the three spirits, the Ghost of Christmas Past.’
‘But Bill,’ exclaimed Trump, ‘you aren’t dead! Aren’t ghosts supposed to be dead?’
‘Sure,’ the Spirit replied, ‘and presidents aren’t supposed to get BJs in the Oval Office, but I make my own rules.’

The second ghost is Barack Obama the ghost of Christmas Present

‘Uhhhh, Mr President … We’ve been through this extensively. My father was Kenyan, but I myself was born in Hawaii. In fact, I provided the media with my birth certificate.’
‘You seem pissed off,’ said Trump. ‘Hey, I get it: this time of year must be tough for you, seeing as you’re a Muslim.’
‘For God’s—’ the Spirit began, then thought better of it. ‘Uhhhh, look … I understand that my colleague, the Ghost of, uhhhh, Christmas Past has conjured some visions and taught you a valuable lesson.’
‘Not really,’ said Trump. ‘I’m not much of a learner.’

This is followed by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Ebury Press -Penguin Random House Group.

A short, but easy, quick read. I enjoyed Alice in Brexitland by the same author and this take on Christmas Carol does not disappoint. I liked the line drawings depicting the characters very true to the era that the original Christmas Carol was published and also in context with this new text. There some of Trump's Tweets in between the story text as President Trump is taken on a Dickensian journey to Christmas, past, present and future as all the 'ghosts' try to get him to see the error of his ways and the possible future if he continues. With all the publicised traits of this leader about of his way of life, it is all there in this well written short parody. A funny and very topical book which would make a good stocking filler. Whoever Lucien Young chooses to target next will also be an funny and interesting read as this second book by the author is.

Lucien Young has a real gift for parody and comic writing. I really enjoyed his first book, Alice in Brexitland and was delighted to be offered an early review copy of his latest, timely offering, Trump's Christmas Carol.

Trump takes centre stage as Ebenezer Trump with guest ghost appearances from Nixon, Clinton and Obama. Little Bob Cratchit offers him a few home truths and without giving anything away, this doesn't all end as one may expect.

It remains difficult to believe that the odious Trump is President and Lucien Young really nails his vanities, sexism, sleaze, prejudices and above all, total lack of intellect or humour in throw away one liners on almost every page. There's the bonus of line drawings and this little tome is laugh out loud funny, clever and well written. Brilliant! I loved it. A hardback copy would be a very welcome stocking filler.

My review as posted on Goodreads:

Having recently read and been mildly amused by Lucien Young's satire 'Alice in Brexitland', I was keen to see what he made of the Donald Trump situation.

I liked the clever use of aspects of the Charles Dickens classic ' A Christmas Carol'.

I liked the use of the now infamous Trump Tweets within the book. This intermingled with the ghostly guidance offered by the ex-presidents makes this a short but entertaining piece of modern satire.

Well worth a read, this is one the few books which has made me laugh out loud this year.

At 112 pages it is in reality a long short story.

My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin-Random House UK (Ebury Press) for a copy in return for this review.

3.5 stars. President Ebenezer Trump is a rich old fool whose heart is as small as his hands and whose words are as false as his hair.

Lightly based on Charles Dickens Scrooge. I loved the names of the characters in this quick read. It's Christmas Eve and President Ebenezer Trump is visited by three spirits all intent of changing his evil ways. Bill Clinton, the Ghost of Christmas past. Barack Obama, the big eared Ghost of Christmas present. And the Ghost of Christmas yet to come. There are sketches in the book of all the characters. I did laugh a lot reading this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin Random HouseUK. Ebury Publishing and the author Lucien Young and Watt T. Dickens for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a well written and funny parody of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol,"
Ebenezer Trump is visited by three ghosts (none of whom are actually dead yet, but why not) who reveal the causes of his current hollow emotional neediness, and the long term outcome of his approach. Who knew Donald Trump's father had 'Christ' as his middle name; I fact checked that on wikipedia, so its just possible the publishers are playing an extended joke.
Will Ebenezer Trump recognise the needs of anyone other than himself, is redemption possible for him?

The book pulls no punches, Donald Trump is clearly identified in both prose and picture. Recent events and rumours are alluded to and the presidents much reported ignorance, pomposity and narcissism clearly portrayed. The usual topics are all here, Crooked Hillary, a literal gold-plated shower and links to Moscow, including that tape. Trump is portrayed as being a selfish toddler, and having ADHD. "Though much alarmed by this vision, Trump was soon able to put it out of his mind (such is the advantage of a three-second attention span)."
I laughed out loud several times, particularly enjoying the descriptions and the cartoons.
I'm not sure which the author should fear more; President Trump's twitter filled rants and likely litigious response to this wonderfully scurrilous picture of him as a thin-skinned, boorish ignoramus, or President Putin's swift retaliation for portraying him as a murderer. Just don't travel to Moscow alone Lucien.