The Impossible Quest of Hailing a Taxi on Christmas Eve

by George Saoulidis

Scrooge Is Looking For A Taxi


In this modern retelling of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Scrooge is looking for a taxi to get home on Christmas Eve. But he will get the ride of his life, as he is walked through his past, his present and his future to end up a changed man.


Set in modern day Athens, this science-fiction version of the classic ghost story is guaranteed to bring shivers down your spine and a smile to your face.


From ScifiSelect: "A digitally cold view on a classic character, that ends up being warm and encouraging."
From Mary DeSantis: "Such an awesome concept and a relevant tale"

Genres: Christmas, Audiobook, Short Stories

Unknown Binding

About the author

George Saoulidis writes sci-fi with a mythic twist—ancient Greek gods, cyberpunk futures, and the occasional romantic comedy. Based in Athens, he’s the creator of God Complex, Cyberpink, and dozens of quirky, unsettling stories. If it’s weird, witty, or a little icky, it’s probably his.

Join the Mythographers, download the free starting library and begin reading right now:

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Reviews

[exploraDora · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 stars***

This is a short and sweet retelling of the classic A Christmas Carol, about an old scrooge who has an awakening one night when he's not able to fetch a taxi. What he gets in exchange is a ride that will change his life forever.

This was a December bookclub read, I just finally managed to catch up with.

[NAT.orious reads ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for you if… short futuristic retellings of old Christmas slassics are your thing.

⤐ Overall.
There isn't much to say, really. George took our beloved Classic A Christmas Carol , ripped the plot of time-frame adequate details and beautifully redecorated it all with some futuristic elements. Simultaneously, he substituted creepy goats with some fun taxi drivers which I deem a success.

If I could change anything about the original, it would be a detail of the ending which George added to his retelling: This Scrooge did not only raise his secretary's salary and helped her pay for her kid's medical expenses, he also acknowledged her vast contribution to the company's success and made her partner, effective immediately. Definitely would have wanted that for Cratchet as well.

It did wonders to my mood on this years Christmas Eve since I was in for some fun with my covignorant family members and their disregard to vulnerable members of our society.
_____________________
4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Do not make the same mistakes I did. Do not die alone. It's still early, there is still time to change your fate. Merry Christmas, dear friend."

This is a short story update/ reworking of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The thing is, this is a rather good one, and I've read some really bad ones over the years. "Scrooge", of course the miserly accountant he always is. Bob Cratchitt is a woman with a small sickly child, and the "spirits" are three taxi drivers in the SuperTaxi Company.

Being as its now the 21st century, there are upgrades to the software, but the story remains the same, as does the lessons it teaches.

This is a rollicking hiccup producing laugh out loud morality play that would make Dickens sit up and take notice. A lot of fun!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eng/Ita:
A very original and well written retelling of "A christmas carol" by Dickens, set in modern Greece, with taxi instead of Spirits.
It's just a tale, so it's not long, but there isn't violence or scary scenes, and I appreciate that.
I really enjoyed this retelling, perfect for Christmas Holidays and for younger readers.
Ita:
Un retelling in chiave moderna di "Canto di Natale" di Dickens, dove al posto degli spiriti ci sono i taxi, ambientato in Grecia.
L'ho apprezzato molto, è divertente, non violento, senza scene paurose o parolacce, quindi adatto anche a un pubblico più giovane.
Originale e ben scritto, lo consiglio sicuramente.

[M.T. DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern retelling of Scrooge's classic story. Such an awesome concept and a relevant tale that reminds us the Christmas spirit is alive and well and can be made so for anyone.

[Amanda Meggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short remake of A Christmas Carol. It's nice to see Scrooge learn his lesson.

[George Saoulidis]

"A Christmas Carol" and the character Ebenezer Scrooge is one of those things that struck a deep chord in humanity and became so archetypal that it seems always relevant. This idea came to me just before Christmas of 2015, of a modern-day Scrooge who is confronted by digital ghosts, that of "Marley," his old business partner, and those of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come in a sci-fi interpretation. I later realised I might have had the taxi idea from "Scrooged." The main theme is "Uber is an evil AI overlord" and poor old Scrooge ends up reforming and embracing the spirit of Christmas. But you already knew that. Still, it was fun to write and I hope it's as fun to read.

[Anita Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Christmas Carol

An interesting, updated version of the Dickens story, I found myself loathing this version of Scrooge as much as I did the original. Certainly, the ending was almost as satisfactory as the original.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story, which is based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, but set in the modern world. I liked the way it had been adapted and brought up to date - the use of an Uber-type Taxi as the method by which Scrooge is chauffeured was great, and I loved that the actual car was appropriate to the 'ghost' - classic for past, futuristic self-driving for future etc. Touches like this were, in my view, what elevated the story from good to excellent.
I first listened to the audiobook version of the story (on Christmas Eve, of course!), which was excellently narrated by Steve White. He really brought the story to life with his fabulous voices for the characters, and his vibrancy of storytelling: he enjoyed telling it, so I enjoyed listening to it.
I'd definitely recommend listening to the story if you can, you'll definitely love it. But whether you listen or read it, please add this book to your library today - you won't regret it!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book. I voluntarily left this review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

This is a wonderful modern retelling of "A Christmas Carol." Here, Scrooge tries to order a cab on Christmas Eve -- problem is that no cab will take him. What he didn't realize is that while he was busy denigrating the cab drivers in his reviews, the cab drivers were also reviewing him. Eventually Scrooge agrees to a "test" to determine whether he will accepted into a cab again. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future are all cab drivers. The author does a great job in bringing in technology in this story. I highly recommend this story!

As I listened to this book -- the narrator, Steve White, was fantastic. He did voices for all of the characters and set the perfect tone for this story.

[Tina G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The modern Scrooge...

The Impossible Quest of Hailing a Taxi on Christmas Eve by George Saoulidis and narrated by Steve White is a good retelling of the classic Scrooge tale. If you’re tired of the typical Christmas story and looking for something fresh with tech and Greek gods, give this one a listen. The narrator, Steve White, did a good job.

“No talking necessary. Scrooge loved it. But now, he had to call up a phone, wait in line, talk to an operator, like Neanderthals. The horror.”
“Money is not all there is in this life. The truly precious stuff can’t be bought.”

*I received this copy for free in an email. Not sure if I need to write this or not, so here it is.*

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining new perspective on the tale of Scrooge. It is well-written with great characters that fit the setting. Even though we all know the story, the author has done a good job of making it new and fresh.

The narrator did a great job and added a lot to my enjoyment of this story. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Impossible Quest of Hailing a Taxi on Christmas Eve was a great quick read by George Saoulidis. This was a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol. Scrooge is looking for a taxi on Christmas Eve but it isn’t the ride he has expected. He is taken from his past, present and future. I enjoyed this classic retelling.

[Lisa A Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining retell of A Christmas Carol in future Greece

I couldn't resist the joining of two of my favorite things... Charles Dickens and sci-fi. I'm not actually sure if the story is set in modern Greece or in the near future, but it was quite enjoyable.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting retelling

A very well done interesting retelling of a Christmas carol bringing it quite clearly into modern times. A good little read, I am not a huge one for Christmas tales but i still enjoyed this.

[Deedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a weird modern version of A Christmas Carol.It was okay.Steve White was a very good narrator.Scrooges voice went right through me.lol I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this thoroughly delightful retelling of the Dickens' A Christmas Carol updated to the computer and Uber age. A perfect story for Christmas Eve ... or any time when you need a little perspective on the greedy "me first" world we live in.

[Kandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short story with a modern day version of Scrooge. Very entertaining. I really liked it.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great modern version of Scrooge...

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Sometimes one just needs a dose of reality. Enjoyed it. Fast read.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new modern Twist of Scrooge and have to say that it was done wonderfully. I loved listening to this and the new way of seeing ghosts was pretty cool. A nice quick listen.

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern version of Dicken's classic. Well written and an interesting read.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird. Short and sweet reimagining of A Christmas Carol.

[Marcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool rewriting of the Christmas Carol!

[Anna Tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but honestly, did we really need such a close retelling of the A Christmas Carol?

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate and enjoy the various versions of Scrooge and rewrites of Dickens Christmas Carol. This is a short version based on new and future technology, more specifically public transportation.
I felt the writing is imaginative and the flow comfortable.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Modern Scrooge

This is a wonderful modernization of the classic tale. I appreciated that it was a fairly quick read that didn't turn out too predictable. Absolutely recommend this charming holiday read!

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modernized version of Scrooge., Decently done.

I prefer Dickens and don't feel the need to modernize him, but this work was a pleasant quick read during the holidays.