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A Cornish Christmas Carol
A Cornish Christmas Carol is a festive delight to enjoy with a hot cup of mulled wine, perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Karen Swan.
Joy to the world? Not if Abigail Scorrier has anything to do with it. She's spent most of her adult life trying to avoid the festive frenzy. She loved Christmas as a child in Cornwall: the colourful stockings hanging above a crackling fire, the excitement of what will be waiting for her the next morning. But ever since her life took a heart-breaking turn, she's buried those memories and done everything she can to avoid her past, her family and most of all, the Christmas season.
But on Christmas Eve, Abigail will have three visitors she can't ignore, and what they reveal about her past, present and future might just change her life - and mend her heart...
Joy to the world? Not if Abigail Scorrier has anything to do with it. She's spent most of her adult life trying to avoid the festive frenzy. She loved Christmas as a child in Cornwall: the colourful stockings hanging above a crackling fire, the excitement of what will be waiting for her the next morning. But ever since her life took a heart-breaking turn, she's buried those memories and done everything she can to avoid her past, her family and most of all, the Christmas season.
But on Christmas Eve, Abigail will have three visitors she can't ignore, and what they reveal about her past, present and future might just change her life - and mend her heart...
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2016
76 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Liz Fenwick
26 books580 followersAward winning author of ten novels and two novellas. The latest is The Secrets of Harbour House out in the UK in July 2025. There are translated editions of my novels available in Dutch, German, Portuguese, French, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Estonian, Latvian, Turkish, Serbian, Czech, Hungarian, Italian, and Finnish.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 25, 2016
A Gem of a Re-Telling.
A Christmas Carol for the modern era. Liz Fenwick weaves a thoroughly modern take on Dicken's most loved Christmas story. All the elements are there; a principle character, Abigail, who has lost her way in pursuit of the wrong goals, and who is in imminent danger of losing her humanity. The traditional ghosts make their appearance, and the author weaves an emotional path through those 24 hours before Christmas.
Like many readers, I wish it went on for longer, but that would spoil it - it IS a Christmas novella.
Liz Fenwick manages to evoke some brilliant atmosphere; enough to make the goose bumps run up and down this reader's back. All this set in the familiar and slightly mystical county of Cornwall.
A Christmas Carol for the modern era. Liz Fenwick weaves a thoroughly modern take on Dicken's most loved Christmas story. All the elements are there; a principle character, Abigail, who has lost her way in pursuit of the wrong goals, and who is in imminent danger of losing her humanity. The traditional ghosts make their appearance, and the author weaves an emotional path through those 24 hours before Christmas.
Like many readers, I wish it went on for longer, but that would spoil it - it IS a Christmas novella.
Liz Fenwick manages to evoke some brilliant atmosphere; enough to make the goose bumps run up and down this reader's back. All this set in the familiar and slightly mystical county of Cornwall.
December 12, 2016
I really enjoyed A Cornish Christmas Carol. This is a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and who doesn’t enjoy a dash of Dickensian festive flair this time of year.
I especially loved that Scorrier House featured in this novella, as my husband and I live very near to Scorrier House, and often discuss it on our local country walks with our dogs. I’ve never been inside, so it holds a sense of mystery to me. It was also wonderful to see Max Opie making an appearance too.
This is a great story overall, which was rather emotional in places.
Having loved an old A Christmas Carol film (Scrooge, 1970) as a child, which I watched on many occasions around Christmastime, I actually found the Charles Dickens book a little disappointing in comparison, giving it 3 stars after reading it a few years ago. Having enjoyed this novella more than the original, I have awarded it 4 stars.
I especially loved that Scorrier House featured in this novella, as my husband and I live very near to Scorrier House, and often discuss it on our local country walks with our dogs. I’ve never been inside, so it holds a sense of mystery to me. It was also wonderful to see Max Opie making an appearance too.
This is a great story overall, which was rather emotional in places.
Having loved an old A Christmas Carol film (Scrooge, 1970) as a child, which I watched on many occasions around Christmastime, I actually found the Charles Dickens book a little disappointing in comparison, giving it 3 stars after reading it a few years ago. Having enjoyed this novella more than the original, I have awarded it 4 stars.
December 13, 2017
Abigail is a strict boss, she comes across as cold and moody and she doesn't have any joy in her life. She used to look forward to the holidays when she was younger, but working through Christmas has become normal in her world. She has a successful career, but she has no friends and there's no love in her life. How did this happen? When Abigail has to fill in for someone at work she has no choice but to return to Cornwall, the place where her whole life unraveled.
While Abigail is traveling she's being forced to take a good look at her life. She gets three visits that make her view the past, present and future in a different way. Are they on time to save her soul and make her defrost? Will they be able to remove the bitterness from her character, so she can enjoy Christmas once more?
A Cornish Christmas Carol is a beautiful story about a woman who lost everything, including her kindness. My heart ached for Abigail, for everything she had to go through and the person she's become because of it. Liz Fenwick has given her main character a great multilayered personality with plenty of flaws, but many wonderful qualities as well and I was immediately intrigued. I couldn't wait to find out if Abigail would find love and joy again with a little help of the magic of Christmas.
Liz Fenwick has a heartwarming writing style that always makes me love her stories straight from the beginning. Her descriptions are vivid and colorful and there are many little unusual details that make her writing stand out. I love reading about Cornwall and she makes her setting come to life incredibly well. I like a good moving story and A Cornish Christmas Carol definitely falls into that category. I enjoyed reading it just as much as A Christmas Carol and the title is well chosen. I absolutely loved this amazing enchanting Christmas novella and highly recommend it.
While Abigail is traveling she's being forced to take a good look at her life. She gets three visits that make her view the past, present and future in a different way. Are they on time to save her soul and make her defrost? Will they be able to remove the bitterness from her character, so she can enjoy Christmas once more?
A Cornish Christmas Carol is a beautiful story about a woman who lost everything, including her kindness. My heart ached for Abigail, for everything she had to go through and the person she's become because of it. Liz Fenwick has given her main character a great multilayered personality with plenty of flaws, but many wonderful qualities as well and I was immediately intrigued. I couldn't wait to find out if Abigail would find love and joy again with a little help of the magic of Christmas.
Liz Fenwick has a heartwarming writing style that always makes me love her stories straight from the beginning. Her descriptions are vivid and colorful and there are many little unusual details that make her writing stand out. I love reading about Cornwall and she makes her setting come to life incredibly well. I like a good moving story and A Cornish Christmas Carol definitely falls into that category. I enjoyed reading it just as much as A Christmas Carol and the title is well chosen. I absolutely loved this amazing enchanting Christmas novella and highly recommend it.
November 27, 2016
Beautifully written re-telling of the Charles Dickens' classic story A Christmas Carol. Believe it or not until I read this version, I had never read any version of the story, despite having seen a lot of the film variants - in fact Muppet's Christmas Carol is my favourite Christmas film.
In Liz Fenwick's story, we still have the three ghosts, and by the middle of the ghost of Christmas past, I was on the verge of crying. The writing just really got to me, and Abigail Scorrier is a woman who is need of this wake up call.
I love that the Scrooge character is female, and she has had a lot varied Christmas's in the past, but a lot of bad things have occurred at this time of year. There is very good reasons why she has become the person she is but it isn't too late for her to right her wrongs.
I loved the comforting nature of a story that is familiar to me, but being told in a new way. The spirits appear while Abigail is on the sleeper train from London to Cornwall, and there is also a sub storyline that is quite interesting about Christmas carols in Cornwall.
This is the perfect story for anyone wanting a new take on an old story this Christmas, from a talented writer. I loved reading every last word in this book.
In Liz Fenwick's story, we still have the three ghosts, and by the middle of the ghost of Christmas past, I was on the verge of crying. The writing just really got to me, and Abigail Scorrier is a woman who is need of this wake up call.
I love that the Scrooge character is female, and she has had a lot varied Christmas's in the past, but a lot of bad things have occurred at this time of year. There is very good reasons why she has become the person she is but it isn't too late for her to right her wrongs.
I loved the comforting nature of a story that is familiar to me, but being told in a new way. The spirits appear while Abigail is on the sleeper train from London to Cornwall, and there is also a sub storyline that is quite interesting about Christmas carols in Cornwall.
This is the perfect story for anyone wanting a new take on an old story this Christmas, from a talented writer. I loved reading every last word in this book.
November 25, 2016
Well I broke my own rules - firstly, I bought a novella, secondly, I started reading it before finishing another book and then I read a Christmas story in November. And I was so glad I did. An absolutely charming re-telling of a familiar tale from this lovely author and in a slightly mystical Cornish setting. Horrid selfish Abigail seems beyond hope but an unexpected trip to Cornwall, the appearance of the traditional ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future and the power of love result in redemption ( of course!). Dickens would love this modern re-telling of his story. Perfect !
November 26, 2016
Excellent short story and very clever with how it's written Abigail had enjoyed Christmas as a child but something changed that can going back and looking at her past help her heal this and move forward. Lovely story.
November 29, 2016
his beautiful cover just invites you to open the pages and lose yourself in a new book from Liz. You know you are guaranteed a wonderful read with a Cornish flavour and what more could a book promise you?! There is a Dickension theme to this one and Abigail is treated to her own Christmas Carol treatment.
She unexpectedly has to return to Cornwall at Christmas after avoiding it for years. Her drive to get to the top of her professional tree has taken its toll and her visions take her on a personal journey whilst on the train.
I was so sorry to get to the end of this one and delighted to read that Liz has a new book coming out next year. Not too long to wait now!
She unexpectedly has to return to Cornwall at Christmas after avoiding it for years. Her drive to get to the top of her professional tree has taken its toll and her visions take her on a personal journey whilst on the train.
I was so sorry to get to the end of this one and delighted to read that Liz has a new book coming out next year. Not too long to wait now!
December 28, 2016
A modern day version based on Dicken's classic. Very enjoyable Christmas novella.
November 14, 2022
Det började svagt men det tog sig mot slutet så allt som allt en helt okej julhistoria!
January 12, 2017
A short romp with total unapologetic plagiarism of Dickens' novel. An obvious ending but quite a pleasant read...
December 3, 2021
A Christmas Carol är en av mina personliga favoriter när det kommer till julsagor och jag blev så otroligt glad när jag kom över denna och förväntade mig en nytolkning som skulle svälja mig med hull och hår men det tog mig nästan halva boken innan jag kände igen berättelsen till den grad att jag kände att ¨AHA, det är ändå en nytolkning!¨.
Jag vill ändå ge Fenwick en eloge att det är otroligt modigt att ge sig på en av de mest klassiska julsagorna men det kändes som att författaren höll tillbaka och inte riktigt vågade ta ut svängarna när det kom till karaktärerna. Kanske ville hon inte att vi skulle tycka allt för illa om karaktärerna?
Abigail är inte alls så bitter, grinig och kallhjärtad som hon kunnat vara och jag hade velat se mer av det hur hon är på jobbet, hur hon är likgiltig och kall emot allt och alla och hatar julen mest av alla på grund av sitt förflutna men det får vi inte riktigt. Utan hon framstår mer som en en standard arbetsnarkoman som inte litar på andras kunskaper och bedrifter och som dricker lite för mycket gin&tonic. Det är kanske inte heller de mest åtråvärda egenskaperna en person kan ha men tänker man verkligen Scrooge när man hör dem?
Sen saknade jag mer detaljerade miljöskildringar, detta är väldigt personligt, jag älskar detaljerade beskrivningar, speciellt i julsagor. Ge mig det gnistrande frostbitna gräset, lila och rosa skymningar över havet som blänker av en tunn is då strömmarna aldrig är tillräckligt stilla för att det ska bottenfrysa, fyll mina sinnen av dofter av varm choklad, smält socker och en levande brasa inne på den lokala puben. Hur doftar det vid kusten? Är det friskt och lite fränt av frusen halm från öppna fält i närheten eller är det tyngre dofter från halvfrusen tång och snäckor från stranden? Vad är det för ljud runt om i byn? Vi får läsa lite om en barnkör, bra! Övar dessa barn på sina sånger även på gatorna? Skrattar barnen medan de leker utomhus? Finns det några övervintrande fåglar?
Jag som en läsare som aldrig varit till Cornwall saknar mycket sådant i denna bok och har jättesvårt att visualisera den lilla byn. Jag kan inte se den så då är miljöskildringar så otroligt viktiga.
Boken slutade även lite väl abrupt och vi fick inte veta vissa saker som jag hade velat få en upplösning på. Vad händer med huset? Finns det ett arv? Kommer Abigail kunna ta hand om godset nu med dessa pengar som hon ägnat sitt liv att maniskt tjäna ihop? Vad är Henrys historia? Vad upplevde han under åren i Teresa´s vård?
Jag hade önskat mig lite mer av denna novell men den är ändå helt okej som en saga för att komma i julstämning.
'God bless us, every one!'
Jag vill ändå ge Fenwick en eloge att det är otroligt modigt att ge sig på en av de mest klassiska julsagorna men det kändes som att författaren höll tillbaka och inte riktigt vågade ta ut svängarna när det kom till karaktärerna. Kanske ville hon inte att vi skulle tycka allt för illa om karaktärerna?
Abigail är inte alls så bitter, grinig och kallhjärtad som hon kunnat vara och jag hade velat se mer av det hur hon är på jobbet, hur hon är likgiltig och kall emot allt och alla och hatar julen mest av alla på grund av sitt förflutna men det får vi inte riktigt. Utan hon framstår mer som en en standard arbetsnarkoman som inte litar på andras kunskaper och bedrifter och som dricker lite för mycket gin&tonic. Det är kanske inte heller de mest åtråvärda egenskaperna en person kan ha men tänker man verkligen Scrooge när man hör dem?
Sen saknade jag mer detaljerade miljöskildringar, detta är väldigt personligt, jag älskar detaljerade beskrivningar, speciellt i julsagor. Ge mig det gnistrande frostbitna gräset, lila och rosa skymningar över havet som blänker av en tunn is då strömmarna aldrig är tillräckligt stilla för att det ska bottenfrysa, fyll mina sinnen av dofter av varm choklad, smält socker och en levande brasa inne på den lokala puben. Hur doftar det vid kusten? Är det friskt och lite fränt av frusen halm från öppna fält i närheten eller är det tyngre dofter från halvfrusen tång och snäckor från stranden? Vad är det för ljud runt om i byn? Vi får läsa lite om en barnkör, bra! Övar dessa barn på sina sånger även på gatorna? Skrattar barnen medan de leker utomhus? Finns det några övervintrande fåglar?
Jag som en läsare som aldrig varit till Cornwall saknar mycket sådant i denna bok och har jättesvårt att visualisera den lilla byn. Jag kan inte se den så då är miljöskildringar så otroligt viktiga.
Boken slutade även lite väl abrupt och vi fick inte veta vissa saker som jag hade velat få en upplösning på. Vad händer med huset? Finns det ett arv? Kommer Abigail kunna ta hand om godset nu med dessa pengar som hon ägnat sitt liv att maniskt tjäna ihop? Vad är Henrys historia? Vad upplevde han under åren i Teresa´s vård?
Jag hade önskat mig lite mer av denna novell men den är ändå helt okej som en saga för att komma i julstämning.
'God bless us, every one!'
December 31, 2021
What's not to like? A retelling of Dickens' classic tale set in Cornwall with modern characters. This follows the plot of Dickens quite closely, with a nice (but quite unbelievable) romantic twist at the end. Apparently Scorrier House is a real place (https://www.scorrierhouse.co.uk/). And it was interesting to learn a bit about the resurgence of the old Cornish Christmas carol tradition. I am familiar with the Welsh Plygain carols, but this was new to me. Both traditions arose out of the 19th century mining communities. Dickens even commented on this in the original Christmas Carol:
“What place is this?” asked Scrooge.
“A place where Miners live, who labour in the bowels of the earth,” returned the Spirit. “But they know me. See.”
A light shone from the window of a hut, and swiftly they advanced towards it. Passing through the wall of mud and stone, they found a cheerful company assembled round a glowing fire. An old, old man and woman, with their children and their children’s children, and another generation beyond that, all decked out gaily in their holiday attire. The old man, in a voice that seldom rose above the howling of the wind upon the barren waste, was singing them a Christmas song — it had been a very old song when he was a boy — and from time to time they all joined in the chorus. So surely as they raised their voices, the old man got quite blithe and loud; and so surely as they stopped, his vigour sank again.
Description: Joy to the world? Not if Abigail Scorrier has anything to do with it. She's spent most of her adult life trying to avoid the festive frenzy. She loved Christmas as a child in Cornwall: the colourful stockings hanging above a crackling fire, the excitement of what will be waiting for her the next morning. But ever since her life took a heart-breaking turn, she's buried those memories and done everything she can to avoid her past, her family and most of all, the Christmas season. But on Christmas Eve, Abigail will have three visitors she can't ignore, and what they reveal about her past, present and future might just change her life - and mend her heart...
“What place is this?” asked Scrooge.
“A place where Miners live, who labour in the bowels of the earth,” returned the Spirit. “But they know me. See.”
A light shone from the window of a hut, and swiftly they advanced towards it. Passing through the wall of mud and stone, they found a cheerful company assembled round a glowing fire. An old, old man and woman, with their children and their children’s children, and another generation beyond that, all decked out gaily in their holiday attire. The old man, in a voice that seldom rose above the howling of the wind upon the barren waste, was singing them a Christmas song — it had been a very old song when he was a boy — and from time to time they all joined in the chorus. So surely as they raised their voices, the old man got quite blithe and loud; and so surely as they stopped, his vigour sank again.
Description: Joy to the world? Not if Abigail Scorrier has anything to do with it. She's spent most of her adult life trying to avoid the festive frenzy. She loved Christmas as a child in Cornwall: the colourful stockings hanging above a crackling fire, the excitement of what will be waiting for her the next morning. But ever since her life took a heart-breaking turn, she's buried those memories and done everything she can to avoid her past, her family and most of all, the Christmas season. But on Christmas Eve, Abigail will have three visitors she can't ignore, and what they reveal about her past, present and future might just change her life - and mend her heart...
December 2, 2024
The book A Cornish Christmas Carol was a very sweet Christmas story, inspired by the Charles Dickens novel a Christmas Carol and it worked really well.
The story is set in Cornwall, my home county and I always adore when a story is written about a place that is familiar for me and somewhere I love.
Liz Fenwick has written a charming story, one that you want to cosy up under a blanket and drink hot chocolate at the same time . I liked the characters Abigail and Max and I'm glad they found happiness together.
Liz Fenwick really knows how to write a story that is heartfelt and I cannot wait to pass it onto to my mum to read. It will be a slightly different read for her, but I think she will like it.
The story is set in Cornwall, my home county and I always adore when a story is written about a place that is familiar for me and somewhere I love.
Liz Fenwick has written a charming story, one that you want to cosy up under a blanket and drink hot chocolate at the same time . I liked the characters Abigail and Max and I'm glad they found happiness together.
Liz Fenwick really knows how to write a story that is heartfelt and I cannot wait to pass it onto to my mum to read. It will be a slightly different read for her, but I think she will like it.
December 29, 2017
A modern twist on an old favourite. I don’t normally read kindle books, I much prefer to read a proper paperback, but as this was the only version available I had to download it for a Christmassy read. As with all Liz’s other books, I thoroughly enjoyed this modern twist on ‘A Christmas Carol’
April 3, 2020
Jag hade svårt att hålla mig koncentrerad på ljudboken då berättelsen var seg och långtråkig.
I slutet trodde jag att jag hade missat något då det bara slutade helt tvärt. Alla nöjda och glada liksom, punkt slut.
Jag hade hoppats på en mer mysig julkänsla än vad som blev i vårstormen.
Betyg: 2 tillbakablickar av 5
I slutet trodde jag att jag hade missat något då det bara slutade helt tvärt. Alla nöjda och glada liksom, punkt slut.
Jag hade hoppats på en mer mysig julkänsla än vad som blev i vårstormen.
Betyg: 2 tillbakablickar av 5
November 14, 2025
A Cornish Christmas Carol
A modern take on the famous "A Christmas Carol" I so loved this beautiful story. I love Christmas music and classic Christmas movies. The characters are likeable and not so much but that will soon change as the spirit of Christmas reveals all. A must read Christmas read. Enjoy
A modern take on the famous "A Christmas Carol" I so loved this beautiful story. I love Christmas music and classic Christmas movies. The characters are likeable and not so much but that will soon change as the spirit of Christmas reveals all. A must read Christmas read. Enjoy
May 19, 2017
I loved the story in this book, although the old Christmas of Scrooge, I found that I was pleased to see that the ending of the book were better than I had anticipated when I started reading the book.
December 23, 2017
This was a fabulous fun take on Dickens A Christmas Carol, however I personally feel that the story ended too quickly and I would have liked to have seen how Abbie's story developed when she started to change her life around.
December 9, 2018
New twist on a Christmas classic
A new take on a Christmas favourite. Although it was easy to predict the ending, it was fun wondering how Abby would get there. A light, easy read in the run-up to Christmas.
A new take on a Christmas favourite. Although it was easy to predict the ending, it was fun wondering how Abby would get there. A light, easy read in the run-up to Christmas.
Read
December 4, 2020Well I’m glad that her other books don’t start out with such a harsh bitter main character. I love her books but couldn’t read far enough in this one until the predictable change happened. So disappointed.
September 5, 2023
Fun short read
This was a refreshing take on a Christmas Carol. Bringing to it a modern story that many will see themselves in. The important part of seeing who we are and how we could be better is certainly something we all could learn from
This was a refreshing take on a Christmas Carol. Bringing to it a modern story that many will see themselves in. The important part of seeing who we are and how we could be better is certainly something we all could learn from
Read
August 10, 2024a nice retelling
There is nothing better than A Christmas Carol. Too short but definitely a happy ending. Would have loved an epilogue but this was good. I also liked that it was a female Scrooge.
There is nothing better than A Christmas Carol. Too short but definitely a happy ending. Would have loved an epilogue but this was good. I also liked that it was a female Scrooge.
December 3, 2017
Usually I like these types of stories but this one was much too short and felt really rushed.
Read
November 27, 2019Usel
September 9, 2020
Good
Enjoyed reading this it was a good book to read l hope people find it good to read like me.
Enjoyed reading this it was a good book to read l hope people find it good to read like me.
December 28, 2020
Absolutely loved this Cornish take on the wonderful Dicken's classic
April 24, 2021
Absolutely loved this brilliant and imaginative re-telling of the Christmas Carol!
December 17, 2021
A sweet Christmas Carol redo ..
December 10, 2025
I loved this book. It’s a great Christmas read. A modern rendition of A Christmas Carol.
December 12, 2025
A quick, predictable, but enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews