Christmas M/M Romances, Part 2: Scrooge

Scrooge Tales

Scrooge tales are a staple of holiday literature. Other than holiday romances, I am also a fan of the mystery anthology Holmes for the Holidays, a fine compilation of Holmes-Watson tales with Christmas themes (I especially recommend Gillian Linscott's tale "A Scandal in Winter"). At least three of the stories have Scrooge references/narrative arcs.

It is a very usable arc. Here are a few examples in romances: 

One M/M Scrooge read is "Peter Cratchit's Christmas Carol" by Drew Marvin Frayne which smoothly uses the classic three appearances: Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. The tone and perspective captures the Victorian era. My only problem with the book is the epilogue. The wry, borderline caustic voice of Peter--Scrooge--transforms at the end to an almost too-good-to-be-true optimism. I address this problem (how much is Scrooge supposed to change?) in my review of a perfect M/M Scrooge novella: "Humbug."

Eliot Grayson brings a new perspective to the character of Scrooge in Yuletide Treasure. Instead of being a skinflint, Eben Sypeman--or Scrooge--is obsessed with money because his partner Marnley--or Marley--was skimming from the firm's accounts. Where did the money go? Grayson gives money its real value: without it, Sypeman will have a hard time supporting his family, not to mention paying his clerk.

He undergoes a transformation, not from grouchy miser to optimistic sharer, but rather from close-mouthed worrier to man who finally speaks his mind. It's a delightful twist, especially when Sypeman--Scrooge--tells off the "charitable" merchants whom he knows will pocket his donation rather than giving it to the poor.

And in a totally delightful twist, Kim Fielding (master storyteller) concentrates on the Ghost of Christmas Present in "Christmas Present". He isn't precisely Scrooge-like, but he does deserve a helping hand for a job well-done.

Of course, a number of Scrooge romances drop the three visits or acts yet keep the Scrooge-like guy who hates Christmas but undergoes a change of heart. Two examples are Mending Noel and The Heart of Frost from Charlie Cochet's North Pole City Tales, which I review here.

The softening heart is, of course, the perfect Christmas message. I think too that Dickens' particular approach is fundamentally visual. Yup, the three acts are theater-ready--as numerous movie productions prove!