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Mr. Timothy
It's the Christmas season, and Mr. Timothy Cratchit, not the pious child the world thought he was, has just buried his father. He's also struggling to bury his past as a cripple and shed his financial ties to his benevolent Uncle Ebenezer by losing himself in the thick of London's underbelly. He boards at a brothel in exchange for teaching the mistress how to read and spends his nights dredging the Thames for dead bodies and the treasures in their pockets.
Timothy's life takes a sharp turn when he discovers the bodies of two dead girls, each seared with the same cruel brand on the upper arm. The sight of their horror-struck faces compels Timothy to become the protector of another young girl, Philomela, from the fate the others suffered at the hands of a dangerous and powerful man.
From the author of Courting Mr. Lincoln comes a different kind of Christmas story featuring a grown up Tiny Tim. This breathless flight through the teeming markets, shadowy passageways, and rolling brown fog of 1860s London would do Dickens proud for its surprising twists and turns, and its extraordinary heart.
Timothy's life takes a sharp turn when he discovers the bodies of two dead girls, each seared with the same cruel brand on the upper arm. The sight of their horror-struck faces compels Timothy to become the protector of another young girl, Philomela, from the fate the others suffered at the hands of a dangerous and powerful man.
From the author of Courting Mr. Lincoln comes a different kind of Christmas story featuring a grown up Tiny Tim. This breathless flight through the teeming markets, shadowy passageways, and rolling brown fog of 1860s London would do Dickens proud for its surprising twists and turns, and its extraordinary heart.
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First published January 1, 2002
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About the author
Louis Bayard
30 books715 followersA staff writer for Salon.com, Bayard has written articles and reviews for the New York Times, the Washington Post, Nerve.com, and Preservation, among others. Bayard lives in Washington, D.C.
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December 12, 2024
The Mr. Timothy of the title is Tim Cratchit, Tiny Tim as an adult, with Uncle Ebeneezer as his sponsor, offering an income in return for a visit now and again. Tim is not very settled in the world, even though he has overcome his infirmity to a point where he has merely a limp from a shortened leg to remind him of his past. He finds work in Mrs. Sharpe’s bordello, teaching the madame to read and write, helping keep the business’s books. One day he spies a young girl in an alley, a homeless child struggling to survive. Having earlier spotted a dead urchin with the letter G branded upon her, he fears for her safety and when he sets out to help her the game is afoot.
Louis Bayard
Bayard has taken a mindful stroll through the world of one of his favorite authors. There are many references in the text to places and persons from a wide range of Charles’ Dickens’ works. Frankly, although I have read my share of Dickens, many of the references passed me by. But it can be fun to keep this in mind when reading the book, and be ready to google names and places as they appear. Dickens was inspired to write A Christmas Carol when he learned something of the state of children in the London of his time. Bayard keeps to that theme with a focus on the plight of abused children, and in that depiction, brings a more contemporary sensibility.
Ghosts figure in this story as they did in its inspiration, although they have a very different nature here.
This was a fun read, fast-paced, with likeable, interesting characters. Bayard clearly had a lot of fun putting this one together. It is probably best to read this in late December or early January, while visions of a ghostly trinity still linger in one's memory. I suppose the best thing one can say about this book is that I believe Mister Dickens would have approved. It would make a delightful film.
Published - January 1, 2002
Review first posted - 2008
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to the author’s personal, Twitter and FB pages
Other Bayard titles I have enjoyed include:
-----The Black Tower
-----The Pale Blue Eye
-----The School of Night
Louis Bayard
Bayard has taken a mindful stroll through the world of one of his favorite authors. There are many references in the text to places and persons from a wide range of Charles’ Dickens’ works. Frankly, although I have read my share of Dickens, many of the references passed me by. But it can be fun to keep this in mind when reading the book, and be ready to google names and places as they appear. Dickens was inspired to write A Christmas Carol when he learned something of the state of children in the London of his time. Bayard keeps to that theme with a focus on the plight of abused children, and in that depiction, brings a more contemporary sensibility.
Ghosts figure in this story as they did in its inspiration, although they have a very different nature here.
This was a fun read, fast-paced, with likeable, interesting characters. Bayard clearly had a lot of fun putting this one together. It is probably best to read this in late December or early January, while visions of a ghostly trinity still linger in one's memory. I suppose the best thing one can say about this book is that I believe Mister Dickens would have approved. It would make a delightful film.
Published - January 1, 2002
Review first posted - 2008
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to the author’s personal, Twitter and FB pages
Other Bayard titles I have enjoyed include:
-----The Black Tower
-----The Pale Blue Eye
-----The School of Night
December 3, 2021
I haven't really cared for the other books that I've read by this author, but the world of Charles Dickens seems to have brought out the fun in Bayard and this book was very enjoyable. Set in London in 1860 it answers the question of what happened to Tiny Tim and the rest of the Cratchits after "A Christmas Carol" ended.
Timothy is now in his 20s and is trying to make a living without relying on the generosity of his "uncle" Ebenezer. He and his friend Gully drag the river for bodies that may have valuables they can pilfer. He also gets room and board at a brothel in exchange for teaching the mistress how to read. Timothy and Colin, a young street urchin, are drawn into a series of dangerous episodes when they try to come to the aid of Philomela, a 10-year-old Italian orphan. They have competition from a missionary who has a persistent interest in the girl. Timothy also tries to solve the mystery surrounding several dead girls, each bearing a special mark. This London is full of abused and desperate children.
I loved this book for its details, colorful characters and wit. It appropriately ends on Christmas Day. The narration by Mark Honan of the audiobook was absolutely brilliant.
Timothy is now in his 20s and is trying to make a living without relying on the generosity of his "uncle" Ebenezer. He and his friend Gully drag the river for bodies that may have valuables they can pilfer. He also gets room and board at a brothel in exchange for teaching the mistress how to read. Timothy and Colin, a young street urchin, are drawn into a series of dangerous episodes when they try to come to the aid of Philomela, a 10-year-old Italian orphan. They have competition from a missionary who has a persistent interest in the girl. Timothy also tries to solve the mystery surrounding several dead girls, each bearing a special mark. This London is full of abused and desperate children.
I loved this book for its details, colorful characters and wit. It appropriately ends on Christmas Day. The narration by Mark Honan of the audiobook was absolutely brilliant.
November 14, 2023
A Dickensian treasure - charms and thrills at the same time!
Timothy Cratchitt, now fully grown with his crippling childhood infirmity reduced to a limp and a chronic ache in bad weather, is sadly mindful of his financial dependence on his uncle. Somewhat disappointed in himself for that, he lives in Mrs. Sharpe's brothel, earning his room and board by teaching the madam of the house how to read. He and his dear friend, Captain Gully, scrape together spending money by trolling the Thames for lost treasures and even by recovering the corpses of the odd suicide or murder victim. With the help of a brash, resourceful young street urchin, Colin the Melodious (who also happens to be an exceedingly talented boy treble), Timothy rescues Philomela, a terrified young Italian orphan girl, on the run from an unscrupulous aristocrat who runs a brutal child sex/slavery ring. Using Timothy's powerful and eloquent first person narration, Bayard pulls us relentlessly through a deeply atmospheric Victorian crime story that, oddly enough, will charm readers at the same time as it thrills and horrifies them.
The charm arises out of Bayard permitting us to witness Timothy's personal growth as he sadly comes to a realization that, as a young crippled boy, he was entirely self-centred and self-pitying, unaware of his father's strength, self-sacrifice and intense devotion to his family. In an obvious reference to Mr. Timothy's forerunner, Dickens' CHRISTMAS CAROL, Bayard uses the device of ghostly sightings of Timothy's father and conversations or letters to his deceased father to reveal Timothy's contemplations on his personality, the realization of the magnitude of his losses, the maturation of his relationship with his surviving family members and his uncle "Neezer" and, ultimately, the release of his father's spirit to its final happy rest.
The thrills arise out of hair's breadth escapes, high speed chase scenes (believe it or not!), and Timothy's relentless pursuit of Philomela's abductors to the heart of a crime ring whose perversions will run chills up and down the spines of even the most-hardened readers! The story is driven by extraordinarily well-developed characters, realistic dialogue and quintessential 1860 Victorian London atmosphere and settings. As with any novel that purports to be fundamentally Dickensian in character, there are some positively hilarious comedic moments as well that, rather than distracting from the overall story, simply add to the astounding development of its characters.
This novel is a treasure!
Paul Weiss
Timothy Cratchitt, now fully grown with his crippling childhood infirmity reduced to a limp and a chronic ache in bad weather, is sadly mindful of his financial dependence on his uncle. Somewhat disappointed in himself for that, he lives in Mrs. Sharpe's brothel, earning his room and board by teaching the madam of the house how to read. He and his dear friend, Captain Gully, scrape together spending money by trolling the Thames for lost treasures and even by recovering the corpses of the odd suicide or murder victim. With the help of a brash, resourceful young street urchin, Colin the Melodious (who also happens to be an exceedingly talented boy treble), Timothy rescues Philomela, a terrified young Italian orphan girl, on the run from an unscrupulous aristocrat who runs a brutal child sex/slavery ring. Using Timothy's powerful and eloquent first person narration, Bayard pulls us relentlessly through a deeply atmospheric Victorian crime story that, oddly enough, will charm readers at the same time as it thrills and horrifies them.
The charm arises out of Bayard permitting us to witness Timothy's personal growth as he sadly comes to a realization that, as a young crippled boy, he was entirely self-centred and self-pitying, unaware of his father's strength, self-sacrifice and intense devotion to his family. In an obvious reference to Mr. Timothy's forerunner, Dickens' CHRISTMAS CAROL, Bayard uses the device of ghostly sightings of Timothy's father and conversations or letters to his deceased father to reveal Timothy's contemplations on his personality, the realization of the magnitude of his losses, the maturation of his relationship with his surviving family members and his uncle "Neezer" and, ultimately, the release of his father's spirit to its final happy rest.
The thrills arise out of hair's breadth escapes, high speed chase scenes (believe it or not!), and Timothy's relentless pursuit of Philomela's abductors to the heart of a crime ring whose perversions will run chills up and down the spines of even the most-hardened readers! The story is driven by extraordinarily well-developed characters, realistic dialogue and quintessential 1860 Victorian London atmosphere and settings. As with any novel that purports to be fundamentally Dickensian in character, there are some positively hilarious comedic moments as well that, rather than distracting from the overall story, simply add to the astounding development of its characters.
This novel is a treasure!
Paul Weiss
December 24, 2014
Louis Bayard is a brave man. Not only did he take on the task of writing a sequel to one of the most beloved tales in English literature but he made it a murder mystery to boot!
Following the death of his father, “Tiny” Tim Cratchit is struggling to find his way. Panged by the constant guilt in greeting his benevolent “Uncle” Scrooge with an open hand, Tim cuts off the flow of money and takes up residence in a whore house where he accepts a job teaching the headmistress to read. During the evenings, he dredges the Thames with his friend Captain Gully, searching for valuables in the pockets of the recently deceased. During one of these excursions, he witnesses a police investigation regarding the death of a young woman found branded with the letter “G” upon her shoulder. Stumbling into the investigation by rescuing a girl doomed to similar fate, Tim must race against time to uncover the party responsible while simultaneously keeping the young woman safe.
At first glance, I thought Mr. Timothy would be a gimmick novel; a cash grab if you will. However, I was surprised by how compelling a read it was. Bayard succeeds where many might have failed - he takes Dickens’ iconic characters and injects them into an edge of your seat thriller without hitting you over the head with who they are.
That being said, I particularly enjoyed Tim seeing his deceased father in the face of everyone he meets, a way to play up just how close they were. Bayard also throws in short chapters in which Tim writes to his father, filling the reader in on events that occurred after the original story and before the one Bayard is presenting.
No disrespect to the author but Mr. Timothy is a far better novel than I thought it would be. Bayard crafted a Christmas yarn that fans of Dickens classic should definitely check out this holiday season.
Also posted @ Every Read Thing.
Following the death of his father, “Tiny” Tim Cratchit is struggling to find his way. Panged by the constant guilt in greeting his benevolent “Uncle” Scrooge with an open hand, Tim cuts off the flow of money and takes up residence in a whore house where he accepts a job teaching the headmistress to read. During the evenings, he dredges the Thames with his friend Captain Gully, searching for valuables in the pockets of the recently deceased. During one of these excursions, he witnesses a police investigation regarding the death of a young woman found branded with the letter “G” upon her shoulder. Stumbling into the investigation by rescuing a girl doomed to similar fate, Tim must race against time to uncover the party responsible while simultaneously keeping the young woman safe.
At first glance, I thought Mr. Timothy would be a gimmick novel; a cash grab if you will. However, I was surprised by how compelling a read it was. Bayard succeeds where many might have failed - he takes Dickens’ iconic characters and injects them into an edge of your seat thriller without hitting you over the head with who they are.
That being said, I particularly enjoyed Tim seeing his deceased father in the face of everyone he meets, a way to play up just how close they were. Bayard also throws in short chapters in which Tim writes to his father, filling the reader in on events that occurred after the original story and before the one Bayard is presenting.
No disrespect to the author but Mr. Timothy is a far better novel than I thought it would be. Bayard crafted a Christmas yarn that fans of Dickens classic should definitely check out this holiday season.
Also posted @ Every Read Thing.
December 19, 2017
This is the third book in my A Christmas Carol triple feature this year. I started with a reread of the classic Dickens' A Christmas Carol in audio, then experienced the night of Scrooge's visit from the three spirits from a different perspective, that of his late partner Marley in Jacob T. Marley. And lastly I caught up with Tiny Tim in this story of the young adult Timothy Cratchit.
We first meet 23-year-old Mr. Timothy when he is trying to strike out on his own and establish himself in adulthood. The opening line tells us "Not so tiny anymore, that's a fact.". He has lost his mother, a younger brother and most recently his father. For years he has lived under the largess of his "uncle" N, none other than the redeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, but now wants to break out on his own. He has come to live in a high-end brothel, which plies its trade with the upper crust of British society, where he exchanges room and board for teaching the Madam, Mrs. Sharpe, to read and write. Little did Mr. Timothy know that his tenure at Mrs. Sharpe's would take him into the underbelly of the often perverse sexual appetites of the aristocracy.
The story takes place in the days leading up to Christmas 1860, which brings all kinds of memories flooding back to Mr. Timothy about his childhood, family and complicated relationship with Scrooge. He sees the spirit of his late father seemingly at every turn, and tries to come to grips with their also complicated relationship by writing him a series of letters. Early in the book he sees the (actual) bodies of two young dead girls who have been branded with the letter G, and that is the jumping off point for the murder mystery contained herein. I must confess I had a hard time getting engaged in the first third of the book, but then the action picked up to breakneck speed and I could not turn the pages fast enough. Mr. Timothy is aided in solving the murders and capturing the killers by two street urchins he forms a tight relationship with, Colin the Melodious and Philomela, two young people who I fell in love with!
While Jacob T Marley was written in very much style of Dickens in his A Christmas Carol with the same story of second chances and redemption, this was a much darker! The story is still in keeping with the times and with the themes and values Dickens wrote about in all his works. As GR friend Will Byrnes said "Dickens would approve".
Not sure where Bayard came up with this story, but what an imagination! His writing will put you right into the story - I kept seeing it play out before me as a movie. It would make a good one!
We first meet 23-year-old Mr. Timothy when he is trying to strike out on his own and establish himself in adulthood. The opening line tells us "Not so tiny anymore, that's a fact.". He has lost his mother, a younger brother and most recently his father. For years he has lived under the largess of his "uncle" N, none other than the redeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, but now wants to break out on his own. He has come to live in a high-end brothel, which plies its trade with the upper crust of British society, where he exchanges room and board for teaching the Madam, Mrs. Sharpe, to read and write. Little did Mr. Timothy know that his tenure at Mrs. Sharpe's would take him into the underbelly of the often perverse sexual appetites of the aristocracy.
The story takes place in the days leading up to Christmas 1860, which brings all kinds of memories flooding back to Mr. Timothy about his childhood, family and complicated relationship with Scrooge. He sees the spirit of his late father seemingly at every turn, and tries to come to grips with their also complicated relationship by writing him a series of letters. Early in the book he sees the (actual) bodies of two young dead girls who have been branded with the letter G, and that is the jumping off point for the murder mystery contained herein. I must confess I had a hard time getting engaged in the first third of the book, but then the action picked up to breakneck speed and I could not turn the pages fast enough. Mr. Timothy is aided in solving the murders and capturing the killers by two street urchins he forms a tight relationship with, Colin the Melodious and Philomela, two young people who I fell in love with!
While Jacob T Marley was written in very much style of Dickens in his A Christmas Carol with the same story of second chances and redemption, this was a much darker! The story is still in keeping with the times and with the themes and values Dickens wrote about in all his works. As GR friend Will Byrnes said "Dickens would approve".
Not sure where Bayard came up with this story, but what an imagination! His writing will put you right into the story - I kept seeing it play out before me as a movie. It would make a good one!
May 28, 2011
After reading The Black Tower, I thought, "I have GOT to read some more of this guy's stuff!" His style in that novel was sparkling in the manner of Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and I was completely engrossed. Unfortunately I picked this book as a follow-up, and now I don't really want to read any more Bayard. To begin with, I simply don't understand the literary device of using a grown-up Tiny Tim as the protagonist. There is no point in it. It would have been just as good with any character - perhaps better, as I wouldn't constantly be wondering how fast Dickens was spinning in his grave over the treatment of his character. The action didn't really get interesting until chapter 17. Up until then it was pretty much a snooze-fest. Finally, this novel has to have the most ridiculous scene ever created in literature, when the characters are being set upon by lovesick peacocks and one character whips out his schlong to prove he's male, making the peacocks lose interest. Is this a peacock's version of The Crying Game? Am I really expect to believe that a peacock is that familiar with human anatomy? I'm usually really good at suspension of disbelief, but seriously, there are limits and Bayard went too far beyond them.
April 16, 2017
Set in 19th Century London, Dickens character Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol has grown up, and finds himself embroiled in a nasty murder mystery.
There are some excellent characters and lots of seasonal atmosphere as Timothy Cratchit, now living in a house of ill repute, tries to outwit evil villains with the help of some very brave friends, including his 'uncle' Scrooge, who has remained his kind benefactor.
As the dastardly plot unfolds, and the true evil of what is taking place becomes clear, this fast paced story becomes compulsive reading....I loved it, and enjoyed spotting the subtle references to other Dickins books, as well as the clever way in which author Louis Bayard introduces a ghostly influence into the story, paying tribute to the spirits which so transformed old Ebenezer in the Dickens tale that inspired Mr. Timothy.
There are some excellent characters and lots of seasonal atmosphere as Timothy Cratchit, now living in a house of ill repute, tries to outwit evil villains with the help of some very brave friends, including his 'uncle' Scrooge, who has remained his kind benefactor.
As the dastardly plot unfolds, and the true evil of what is taking place becomes clear, this fast paced story becomes compulsive reading....I loved it, and enjoyed spotting the subtle references to other Dickins books, as well as the clever way in which author Louis Bayard introduces a ghostly influence into the story, paying tribute to the spirits which so transformed old Ebenezer in the Dickens tale that inspired Mr. Timothy.
January 13, 2015
This book was recommended to me by my new friend Brandon when I told him that I was looking for murder mystery Christmas stories. He hadn't started it yet, but told me that it was a 'sequel' to Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol - with Tiny Tim as the main character. Right away I was intrigued - I am a sucker for spin offs. I was glad that I picked this up. I was totally surprised and quite pleased. I was not expecting this book to be as well written as it was. I feel bad saying that - I had no previous knowledge of Louis Bayard, but for some reason I was expecting more of a fluff novel. That was not the case. This was beautifully written. It was gritty and brutal and pretty much awesome.
Tiny Tim has grown up and is trying to break away from Uncle Ebenezer's influence. He lives in a brothel - but only because he is teaching the madame to read, and he dredges the river at night looking for dead bodies. On top of that, he keeps seeing the ghost of his dead father. Timothy unwittingly gets himself involved in a pretty twisted murder mystery and fun ensues from there!
I totally recommend this book to any mystery.thriller fans with a penchant for Dickens!
Tiny Tim has grown up and is trying to break away from Uncle Ebenezer's influence. He lives in a brothel - but only because he is teaching the madame to read, and he dredges the river at night looking for dead bodies. On top of that, he keeps seeing the ghost of his dead father. Timothy unwittingly gets himself involved in a pretty twisted murder mystery and fun ensues from there!
I totally recommend this book to any mystery.thriller fans with a penchant for Dickens!
October 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2021
Yep. He’s the same one, that cute little tyke perched on his father’s shoulders. “God Bless us, every one.” The tiny Tim that seals the sell on A Christmas Carol, which flowed from the pen of Charles Dickens himself.
Picking up Tim’s later life, we find he is out on his own in Victorian England. Whatever cures old Ebenezer promised in his famous repentant reconciliation have not restored the boy to 100%, but he seems to get along well enough to work for a man who drags the Thames for bodies and treasure. In that work he finds gruesome items, and seems to be a self-appointed detective. Taking rooms in a brothel (in trade for teaching the owner to read), he hangs out in the coarser parts of town.
Overall this was a read I struggled to stay into – some of the actual subjects were off-putting to me – which surprised me. I don’t usually shy away from bodies, etc., but did here. And there is the whole exploding the virtuous Tiny Tim myth. This Mr. Timothy doesn’t match the Tiny Tim in my head with how he would have turned out all grown up. . .all my problems, not the author’s. Still, responses are what they are. I stayed to the end, even though there was a lot I didn’t connect with, clearly a problem.
This was mostly a 2.5 star, rounded up to 3 for me. I wanted to love it, but confess I didn’t.
Picking up Tim’s later life, we find he is out on his own in Victorian England. Whatever cures old Ebenezer promised in his famous repentant reconciliation have not restored the boy to 100%, but he seems to get along well enough to work for a man who drags the Thames for bodies and treasure. In that work he finds gruesome items, and seems to be a self-appointed detective. Taking rooms in a brothel (in trade for teaching the owner to read), he hangs out in the coarser parts of town.
Overall this was a read I struggled to stay into – some of the actual subjects were off-putting to me – which surprised me. I don’t usually shy away from bodies, etc., but did here. And there is the whole exploding the virtuous Tiny Tim myth. This Mr. Timothy doesn’t match the Tiny Tim in my head with how he would have turned out all grown up. . .all my problems, not the author’s. Still, responses are what they are. I stayed to the end, even though there was a lot I didn’t connect with, clearly a problem.
This was mostly a 2.5 star, rounded up to 3 for me. I wanted to love it, but confess I didn’t.
October 13, 2022
It's almost Christmas, but Tiny Tim Cratchit is no longer a child. Having lost both parents & several of his siblings, twenty-three year old Tim is trying to forge his own path in life. Currently reliant on handouts from 'Uncle Neezer', he lives in a room in a brothel in London, & pays his way by teaching the madam to read. One day he finds the dead body of a young girl who has a peculiar branding on her shoulder - the letter G. When he fleeting sees another young girl with the same branding, she is gone before he can speak to her. He engages a young urchin, Colin the Melodious, a ten-year-old street kid to track her down. Together they find the girl, Philomela, but when a strange woman & richly dressed man try to kidnap her off the street,Timothy realises that she is in grave danger. Philomela is placed with a friend & Timothy works to gain her trust, & she finally reveals that the rich man is running a human trafficking operation, bringing in young girls for the sex trade.
The book gets off to a slow start & it takes a while for the pace to actually pick up. I found it worth sticking with though as the author paints a vivid picture of life in Victorian London with its deprivations & squalor. Colin is a great character, he seems to be somewhat reminiscent of the Artful Dodger - a young boy who has had a tough life for his tender years & had to grow up quickly to survive on the streets. He's more engaging than the main character, Tim, who until at least halfway through the book is rather timid & bland. The book deals with some dark subjects including paedophilia, human trafficking, & murder. I found some sections difficult to read due to the subject matter, & there were several scenes which became rather ridiculous, including the ending. Overall, a slow burner which covers some dark subjects, & for me, it ultimately fails at providing a main character to be invested in. 3 stars
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, John Murray Press/Baskerville, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The book gets off to a slow start & it takes a while for the pace to actually pick up. I found it worth sticking with though as the author paints a vivid picture of life in Victorian London with its deprivations & squalor. Colin is a great character, he seems to be somewhat reminiscent of the Artful Dodger - a young boy who has had a tough life for his tender years & had to grow up quickly to survive on the streets. He's more engaging than the main character, Tim, who until at least halfway through the book is rather timid & bland. The book deals with some dark subjects including paedophilia, human trafficking, & murder. I found some sections difficult to read due to the subject matter, & there were several scenes which became rather ridiculous, including the ending. Overall, a slow burner which covers some dark subjects, & for me, it ultimately fails at providing a main character to be invested in. 3 stars
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, John Murray Press/Baskerville, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
December 4, 2011
I was very excited to finally read this book as I've been a huge fan of Charles Dickens for many years. This story is centered around Timothy Cratchit (Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol) who is now a young man. Louis Bayard does a fantastic job of recreating the atmosphere of a Dickens novel... the foggy, cobbled streets of Victorian England complete with the fake cheerfulness of the hypocritical aristocracy and the underbelly of society... the impoverished who are all but invisible to the rest of society.
This story has a couple of different levels. One part of the story surrounds Mr. Timothy and his search for some direction and purpose in his life. He has just lost his father and is grieving. He wants to break away from Uncle Ebeneezer and make his own way but he is drifting and without purpose. He acquires lodging in a brothel in exchange for teaching the madam to read. And keeping with a common Dickens theme, Mr. Timothy gets a job fishing bodies out of the Thames River and sells anything of value which may be in the pockets of the bodies he finds (reminiscent of Jerry Cruncher in A Tale of Two Cities). He discovers the bodies of two young girls with a strange brand marking on their bodies and this is where the story turns into a wonderful Victorian mystery which I think Charles Dickens would have liked!
I don't wish to give away the all of the details of the mystery but the story takes Mr. Timothy on a journey through the sometimes frightening underbelly of the Victorian English streets and ultimately he finds what he's looking for... himself. This was a wonderful story although a little slow in the middle for my liking. If Mr. Bayard intended to write this story as a sort of tribute to Charles Dickens and all of his wonderfully quirky characters, he did a fantastic job!
This story has a couple of different levels. One part of the story surrounds Mr. Timothy and his search for some direction and purpose in his life. He has just lost his father and is grieving. He wants to break away from Uncle Ebeneezer and make his own way but he is drifting and without purpose. He acquires lodging in a brothel in exchange for teaching the madam to read. And keeping with a common Dickens theme, Mr. Timothy gets a job fishing bodies out of the Thames River and sells anything of value which may be in the pockets of the bodies he finds (reminiscent of Jerry Cruncher in A Tale of Two Cities). He discovers the bodies of two young girls with a strange brand marking on their bodies and this is where the story turns into a wonderful Victorian mystery which I think Charles Dickens would have liked!
I don't wish to give away the all of the details of the mystery but the story takes Mr. Timothy on a journey through the sometimes frightening underbelly of the Victorian English streets and ultimately he finds what he's looking for... himself. This was a wonderful story although a little slow in the middle for my liking. If Mr. Bayard intended to write this story as a sort of tribute to Charles Dickens and all of his wonderfully quirky characters, he did a fantastic job!
July 19, 2007
I didn't really know what to expect from this when I picked it up. My friend Allison recommended it, but all she told me about it was that she liked it and that it was a story written about the character of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol, but that he's an adult. Okay, so that part is true, but it doesn't make a whole lot of difference to the story that he's a well-known character - there's very little that we know of him from A Christmas Carol anyway, and while there is some mention of his father, Bob Crachit, and Ebenezer Scrooge (or Uncle N as he calls him) makes a few appearances, they're only on the periphery and their main contribution to the story has to do with Timothy's inner struggle and growth. The primary function of the story, however, is wrapped up in Timothy solving a criminal mystery. His involvement is sort of unintentional at first, but as he falls further into the mystery and begins unraveling the crime, he ends up forming his own little family and appreciating his real family more. Plus it's got some tense moments during his direct encounters with the criminal element. I have an affinity for mystery/detective/crime fiction, so I was pulled in by that part of the story. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a little slow in parts, and I didn't like Timothy very much at the beginning, but I grew to like him more by the end (though the true stars of the book are the children with whom he forms an alliance, Philomela and Colin).
January 10, 2012
Bought for me by my husband, as a gift, the subject matter and plot of this book are not really within my usual realms of interest. It’s really quite the thriller—a murder mystery, edge of your seat sort of story. I rarely choose to read (or watch movies, for that matter) about violence that occurs in a fictional setting. Some fantasies, like JRR Tolkein’s works are notable exceptions, but for the most part, if it’s not history … stories that are factual, not fictional … I don’t want the violence in my life. I prefer to read about people, places, things and ideas, that I can learn from in some way. But, Kyle had his reasons for thinking I might enjoy this one.
Author Louis Bayard has painstakingly brought to life Victorian London—and not just that. He’s done it in the style of Charles Dickens and he has given us Dickens’ own Tiny Tim as his main character. As the title implies, the beloved child from A Christmas Carol, Tim, is now all grown up. And, as imagination would have it, he carries the baggage of a child born into poverty and suddenly thrust into the middle class, in a world and a time when who you were was all about your “station.” In the course of this creative novel, Timothy explores the resentment he feels toward a father who loved him too much and has just died and an “uncle” who loved him for reasons he never understood and of which he now wishes to be free. He walks the streets of Dickens’ London— a picture painted for the reader as clearly as if written by Dickens himself. He meets along the way, colorful characters who could easily have walked off the pages of Oliver Twist or even the largely autobiographical David Copperfield. And, in the process, he evolves from a self-absorbed, angry young man into one who willingly risks his own life for those of others. He doesn’t start out as much of a hero, but by the end of the book, he certainly becomes one.
My reaction after my first bedtime reading session with Mr. Timothy, was that although it was interesting, I did not know if I’d stick with it, or not! I love Charles Dickens—he’s among my favourite authors. But, it’s been quite some time since I read any of his works, and reading his style, complete with rambling sentences and gritty settings, seemed so odd when I knew it wasn’t his own. Louis Bayard has truly channeled Dickens. And, frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to work that hard!
But, a second night of reading soon made me realize how rich and well-rounded was the world being created for me in these pages. And, not just the places, but the people! I’ve been reading things lately, that have been strong on the story-telling, but not so deep in the characterizations. Here, in the style of what is arguably Dickens’ greatest strength—fully-developed characters compelling the reader onward—Bayard has created characters so complex and so engaging that instead of giving up on this book, I now found myself fighting to put it down and get enough sleep! Add to that, the occasional nods to Dickens’ own places in the recycling of place names and locations from various of his books, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Although the pages sometimes presented me with descriptions and therefore visualizations of horrible events, and the genre of mystery/thriller is not my first choice, I found myself so caught up and drawn into the story and the lives of these characters, that I rushed to finish this book, and learn what would become of them. My final night of reading lasted far longer than intended, because I simply couldn’t stop reading before I reached the end.
I believe that if handed a copy of Mr. Timothy, Dickens himself, would be honoured and proud, and completely swept up in this world of fog and intrigue and plot twists.
The book is published with wonderful addenda including an interview with the author, some facts about Dickens and A Christmas Carol, and a brief study guide.
I am greatly looking forward to my next read of a Louis Bayard novel---his Pale Blue Eye, where Edgar Allen Poe is the main character and mystery solver.
First sentence: Not so tiny any more, that’s a fact.
~MB
Author Louis Bayard has painstakingly brought to life Victorian London—and not just that. He’s done it in the style of Charles Dickens and he has given us Dickens’ own Tiny Tim as his main character. As the title implies, the beloved child from A Christmas Carol, Tim, is now all grown up. And, as imagination would have it, he carries the baggage of a child born into poverty and suddenly thrust into the middle class, in a world and a time when who you were was all about your “station.” In the course of this creative novel, Timothy explores the resentment he feels toward a father who loved him too much and has just died and an “uncle” who loved him for reasons he never understood and of which he now wishes to be free. He walks the streets of Dickens’ London— a picture painted for the reader as clearly as if written by Dickens himself. He meets along the way, colorful characters who could easily have walked off the pages of Oliver Twist or even the largely autobiographical David Copperfield. And, in the process, he evolves from a self-absorbed, angry young man into one who willingly risks his own life for those of others. He doesn’t start out as much of a hero, but by the end of the book, he certainly becomes one.
My reaction after my first bedtime reading session with Mr. Timothy, was that although it was interesting, I did not know if I’d stick with it, or not! I love Charles Dickens—he’s among my favourite authors. But, it’s been quite some time since I read any of his works, and reading his style, complete with rambling sentences and gritty settings, seemed so odd when I knew it wasn’t his own. Louis Bayard has truly channeled Dickens. And, frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to work that hard!
But, a second night of reading soon made me realize how rich and well-rounded was the world being created for me in these pages. And, not just the places, but the people! I’ve been reading things lately, that have been strong on the story-telling, but not so deep in the characterizations. Here, in the style of what is arguably Dickens’ greatest strength—fully-developed characters compelling the reader onward—Bayard has created characters so complex and so engaging that instead of giving up on this book, I now found myself fighting to put it down and get enough sleep! Add to that, the occasional nods to Dickens’ own places in the recycling of place names and locations from various of his books, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Although the pages sometimes presented me with descriptions and therefore visualizations of horrible events, and the genre of mystery/thriller is not my first choice, I found myself so caught up and drawn into the story and the lives of these characters, that I rushed to finish this book, and learn what would become of them. My final night of reading lasted far longer than intended, because I simply couldn’t stop reading before I reached the end.
I believe that if handed a copy of Mr. Timothy, Dickens himself, would be honoured and proud, and completely swept up in this world of fog and intrigue and plot twists.
The book is published with wonderful addenda including an interview with the author, some facts about Dickens and A Christmas Carol, and a brief study guide.
I am greatly looking forward to my next read of a Louis Bayard novel---his Pale Blue Eye, where Edgar Allen Poe is the main character and mystery solver.
First sentence: Not so tiny any more, that’s a fact.
~MB
December 15, 2016
"I used to see spirits, too, Tim. Terrible things. How I miss them." -Scrooge, Mr. Timothy
I really enjoyed this book!
The writing was evocative and the description interesting, told by the narrator's perceptions. The slums of Victorian London and the characters were very well drawn (particular favourites were Squidgy, Mrs. Sharpe, Colin, Gully, and Bob Cratchit).
Although it started out a little slowly and I would've liked a little more of a Christmas feel (book was set during Christmas), I thought the best parts of the book were the letters written from Timothy to his father while he worked through his mourning and the developing family relationship between Timothy, Colin, Philomela, and Captain Gully. Overall, an interesting take on the older Tiny Tim character and I liked the way Bob Cratchit and Scrooge were drawn. The plot was suspenseful and exciting, albeit disturbing.
Would recommend for Dickens fans, Victorian era fans, slumming fans, and suspense fans! All with a twist of Christmas!
I really enjoyed this book!
The writing was evocative and the description interesting, told by the narrator's perceptions. The slums of Victorian London and the characters were very well drawn (particular favourites were Squidgy, Mrs. Sharpe, Colin, Gully, and Bob Cratchit).
Although it started out a little slowly and I would've liked a little more of a Christmas feel (book was set during Christmas), I thought the best parts of the book were the letters written from Timothy to his father while he worked through his mourning and the developing family relationship between Timothy, Colin, Philomela, and Captain Gully. Overall, an interesting take on the older Tiny Tim character and I liked the way Bob Cratchit and Scrooge were drawn. The plot was suspenseful and exciting, albeit disturbing.
Would recommend for Dickens fans, Victorian era fans, slumming fans, and suspense fans! All with a twist of Christmas!
December 17, 2020
So, this was a good "sequel" to A Christmas Carol. It isn't fitting to really call it a sequel, it's merely a historical mystery/thriller inspired by Dickens and set in his world.
Tiny Tim grew up to be Timothy Cratchit, or "Mr. Timothy" as everyone calls him, maintains a limp, lives in a brothel and calls on Scrooge (Uncle "N" shortened from the nickname "Neezer) for the occasion cash front.
I enjoyed the little impromptu family with street kids Colin and Philomela, and then there's Gully, Timothy's friend, with whom they go out on occasions to dredge the river for bodies and loot their pockets for treasures.
This was a very literary description of how shitty Victorian London was, and I enjoyed the read. The beginning was a bit slow, but once it got going, I enjoyed the ride. The second half of the book was pretty intense. The end was satisfying.
I really like this author, this is the 3rd book I've read by Louis Bayard since the pandemic started. I still plan to read more of his.
Tiny Tim grew up to be Timothy Cratchit, or "Mr. Timothy" as everyone calls him, maintains a limp, lives in a brothel and calls on Scrooge (Uncle "N" shortened from the nickname "Neezer) for the occasion cash front.
I enjoyed the little impromptu family with street kids Colin and Philomela, and then there's Gully, Timothy's friend, with whom they go out on occasions to dredge the river for bodies and loot their pockets for treasures.
This was a very literary description of how shitty Victorian London was, and I enjoyed the read. The beginning was a bit slow, but once it got going, I enjoyed the ride. The second half of the book was pretty intense. The end was satisfying.
I really like this author, this is the 3rd book I've read by Louis Bayard since the pandemic started. I still plan to read more of his.
December 18, 2011
This was very disappointing. I thought it would be a fun macabre christmas read, but it was just a whiny poor me story. It didn't take advantage of the season, the characters, or Scrooge himself. The mystery (which isn't much of a mystery) has no connection to Scrooge or Timothy either. I expected a lot more.
December 22, 2018
Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol is all grown up and residing in a brothel where he's teaching the madam to read. He keeps stumbling across young girls who are dead so when he finds one alive and in trouble, he sets out to help her. This brings him into the world of so-called gentleman who like to deflower underage girls and he and his friend Gully, with the help of young Colin, work to bring down this ring of defilers. This was a pretty decent historical crime novel and I don't think you need to be overly familiar with Dickens's novel to enjoy this.
December 19, 2016
This book was slow to start, but once I met Colin and Philomena, I got swept up by the chase scenes. My favourite part was the fight on the runaway carriage with Colin clinging on to the horse - it reminded me of De Quincey's the English Mail-Coach.
The setting - London's slums, the sludge of the Thames, the dark and humourous everday happenings of a brothel - was fantastic. It brought me back to SBC's Slumming in the 19th Century. Bayard's description is very similar to Engels' description of The Great Towns: "The streets taper into tunnels and houses close down on our heads....We are off the human map" (Bayard 92) and even Jacob's island is mentioned with an allusion to Bill Sykes (see Bayard 344-5). When Tim was seeing ghosts in the street, I was confused about who was real and who was imagined - just like in Charlotte Mew's "Passed." In short, this novel brought back a lot from the syllabus!
And, one thing about bootstraps. Tim hopes to pull himself up: "Behold, I have two strong arms. My companions, the same. Among us, we may certainly scratch out a sufficeint living in the modern economy" (Bayard 288). But Bayard is critical of this dream to riches. Money does not guarantee happiness. In a letter to his father, Tim writes, "The money. The money. It would make me well again, make my brothers and sisters prosperous, it would float you and Mother into an honorouble retirement, with rabbles of grandchildren. ...But when all was said and done, there wasn't so very much money, was there?" and goes on to describe the Cratchit's ongoing troubles and sense of loss despite Scrooge's generousity (Bayard 208). He breaks down the illusion that money makes for a happy ending.
I also liked how Bayard had Tim deal with the death of his father and struggle with the limitations of how he was cast in A Christmas Carol. Tim: "I was still the protagonist of Uncle N's story, and there was no breaking free" (Bayard 299) - but Tim does break free from being the angelic boy Tiny Tim as Mr. Timothy, the hero of his own story in this novel.
And the ending was thrillingly gruesome. A story like this can't be over until someone ends up in the Thames...
The setting - London's slums, the sludge of the Thames, the dark and humourous everday happenings of a brothel - was fantastic. It brought me back to SBC's Slumming in the 19th Century. Bayard's description is very similar to Engels' description of The Great Towns: "The streets taper into tunnels and houses close down on our heads....We are off the human map" (Bayard 92) and even Jacob's island is mentioned with an allusion to Bill Sykes (see Bayard 344-5). When Tim was seeing ghosts in the street, I was confused about who was real and who was imagined - just like in Charlotte Mew's "Passed." In short, this novel brought back a lot from the syllabus!
And, one thing about bootstraps. Tim hopes to pull himself up: "Behold, I have two strong arms. My companions, the same. Among us, we may certainly scratch out a sufficeint living in the modern economy" (Bayard 288). But Bayard is critical of this dream to riches. Money does not guarantee happiness. In a letter to his father, Tim writes, "The money. The money. It would make me well again, make my brothers and sisters prosperous, it would float you and Mother into an honorouble retirement, with rabbles of grandchildren. ...But when all was said and done, there wasn't so very much money, was there?" and goes on to describe the Cratchit's ongoing troubles and sense of loss despite Scrooge's generousity (Bayard 208). He breaks down the illusion that money makes for a happy ending.
I also liked how Bayard had Tim deal with the death of his father and struggle with the limitations of how he was cast in A Christmas Carol. Tim: "I was still the protagonist of Uncle N's story, and there was no breaking free" (Bayard 299) - but Tim does break free from being the angelic boy Tiny Tim as Mr. Timothy, the hero of his own story in this novel.
And the ending was thrillingly gruesome. A story like this can't be over until someone ends up in the Thames...
July 13, 2009
Mr Timothy is Tiny Tim Cratchitt from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – all grown up now and a very different being from the innocent, pathos-riddled child with whom readers might already be acquainted. Louis Bayard’s Big Tim is a creature of the night who dwells in a brothel and undertakes nocturnal work with a partner, plucking bodies from the Thames for the reward of what might be in their pockets and a finding fee from the authorities. Fortunately he has a stipend from Uncle Ebeneezer upon which he can fall back when work is sparse. Tim becomes embroiled in a mystery concerning two dead girls and a living one, all marked with a strange brand. The live girl wrenches Tim’s conscience and aided by street urchin Colin, he sets out to protect her and discover the truth behind the mark on her arm.
This is a rewarding novel with a glorious employment of language. It’s accessible literary fiction with a wonderful, chilling, dark Victorian heart. Fans of Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith will love Mr Timothy.
December 4, 2009
This book was for one of my book clubs. We were looking for something vaguely Christmas related, and the title Timothy in this book is the character Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol all grown up. As seems to be the curse of this book club we once again picked a book that I didn't care for. I'm not really sure what the point of having the protagonist of this book be Tiny Tim was as it didn't really contribute much to the book. The main plot of the book revolves around Timothy getting caught up in some scandal by trying to rescue a ten year old girl who is being prostituted. There's a whole kind of murder mystery thing going on and frankly I found it all really boring and not-suspenseful. I just really didn't care about any of it. Every once in awhile there is something thrown in about his Uncle N (i.e. Ebeneezer Scrooge) and his father Bob Cratchit, but really there wasn't any connection between the main plot and these characters so I again repeat I don't see the point. It might as well have just been a book set during that same time period.
January 17, 2014
Child sex slaves, foul language, graphic sex (some violent/perverted), ends well but Dicken's character is portrayed as a fraud. He is nothing like the novel upon which he's, allegedly, based. Just not my kind of mystery, to be clear.
1st thoughts: It might turn around, one can hope. Flowery language can't cover up for one author's jealousy of another author's talent...the end will out, as the old adage says.
1st thoughts: It might turn around, one can hope. Flowery language can't cover up for one author's jealousy of another author's talent...the end will out, as the old adage says.
December 29, 2010
This is a rollicking good yarn set in Dickensian London updating the reader about the life of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol. Tim has grown up and is living in a brothel... A good murder mystery adventure that is not too hard on the brain cells
January 9, 2023
It’s the Christmas season in 1860s London, and Tiny Tim, now twenty-three, and known as Mr. Timothy Crachit has just buried his father Bob. Thanks to the medical treatment, paid for by the “galloping hordes of doctors” by Tim’s now philanthropic and amateur fungi expert “Uncle Ebenezer,” known as “Uncle N.” by the Crachit children, Tim is no longer crippled but does walk with a slight limp, a constant reminder of a more memorable Christmas long ago.
Uncle N. did more than pay for Tim’s therapeutic treatment in Bath and Brighton, though. He showered the Crachit children with “gifts, tokens, and knickknacks” so much so that it simply became too much for Tim to bear. As the narrator in MR. TIMOTHY puts it:
As the months pass, and as the attentions increase, another possibility dawns on [Tim]. Perhaps this gentleman [Scrooge] has divined something in him - some germ of potential waiting to be cultured. And in this way, the boy becomes slowly acculturated to his own mythos, and over time, so does the rest of his family. With mysterious unanimity, they accept the central premise of the story - that great things are expected of this boy.
It certainly isn’t “great things” that Timothy Cratchit delivers, however. After the recent death of his father, Tim, still haunted by his father’s ghost (sometimes literally), moves about the underbelly of Victorian London trying to find his way in the world and distance himself from the surviving Cratchits and even his now kindly Uncle N.
Short on money, to put it mildly, Tim takes up living quarters in a brothel in exchange for teaching the madam to read. His nights when the madam is particularly busy, are spent dredging the Thames at low tide and rifling through the pockets of the dead bodies he finds for anything worthwhile. One night, however, Tim finds more than he bargained for: the dead bodies of two ten-year-old girls, one dredged from the Thames, the other sprawled in an alleyway, and both branded with the letter “G.”
Assisting Tim in discovering who’s behind the grisly murders are three characters who, if I didn’t know better, I would swear were created by Dickens, himself. The first is Philomela, a ten-year-old Italian girl that Tim rescues from a menacing man in a carriage and who is also branded with the mysterious letter “G.” Next is the street urchin, Colin the Melodious, so named for his beautiful singing voice, and then there’s the retired seafarer, Captain Gully, who remains cheerful and energetic despite having a wrench for a hand.
The plot of this book will be predictable to many readers, and many will figure out what’s going on and who’s behind it long before it’s revealed by the author. There are several plot twists, and Bayard does a wonderful job of evoking Victorian London. The very best thing about MR. TIMOTHY is Bayard’s writing, which, like his characters, could have been penned by Dickens, himself. The paragraph below, which describes Augustus Sheldrake, a lawyer hired to defend Mr. Timothy is, I think, one of the best passages in the book:
Augustus Sheldrake squeezes his way through the station-house door. A stout, whey-skinned man with a decamping hairline and advancing whiskers, soldierly red on both fronts. The hand he presents to me is quite damp, and there is a prevailing humidity all about his person: wet eyes, wet lips, wet teeth…and, exhaling from his pores, an effluvium that, unless my nostrils deceive me, represents the final gaseous iteration of imported Jamaican rum.
If you like Dickens, you’ll probably like MR. TIMOTHY even though “Uncle N” only makes a cursory appearance. And thank goodness, at least as far as I’m concerned, Bayard doesn’t populate his book with all the grimy, starving, big-eyed waifs that over-populate almost every book Dickens wrote. You won’t find Philomela holding up a bowl and asking, “Please sir, I want some more.” I like children and I like Dickens, and I realize starvation was rampant in Victorian London, but enough is enough. I’ve had my fill of big-eyed waifs and then some.
MR. TIMOTHY is a book with an average plot, above-average characters, and wonderful, evocative writing. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but it was certainly good enough to cause me to explore Bayard’s other work.
Uncle N. did more than pay for Tim’s therapeutic treatment in Bath and Brighton, though. He showered the Crachit children with “gifts, tokens, and knickknacks” so much so that it simply became too much for Tim to bear. As the narrator in MR. TIMOTHY puts it:
As the months pass, and as the attentions increase, another possibility dawns on [Tim]. Perhaps this gentleman [Scrooge] has divined something in him - some germ of potential waiting to be cultured. And in this way, the boy becomes slowly acculturated to his own mythos, and over time, so does the rest of his family. With mysterious unanimity, they accept the central premise of the story - that great things are expected of this boy.
It certainly isn’t “great things” that Timothy Cratchit delivers, however. After the recent death of his father, Tim, still haunted by his father’s ghost (sometimes literally), moves about the underbelly of Victorian London trying to find his way in the world and distance himself from the surviving Cratchits and even his now kindly Uncle N.
Short on money, to put it mildly, Tim takes up living quarters in a brothel in exchange for teaching the madam to read. His nights when the madam is particularly busy, are spent dredging the Thames at low tide and rifling through the pockets of the dead bodies he finds for anything worthwhile. One night, however, Tim finds more than he bargained for: the dead bodies of two ten-year-old girls, one dredged from the Thames, the other sprawled in an alleyway, and both branded with the letter “G.”
Assisting Tim in discovering who’s behind the grisly murders are three characters who, if I didn’t know better, I would swear were created by Dickens, himself. The first is Philomela, a ten-year-old Italian girl that Tim rescues from a menacing man in a carriage and who is also branded with the mysterious letter “G.” Next is the street urchin, Colin the Melodious, so named for his beautiful singing voice, and then there’s the retired seafarer, Captain Gully, who remains cheerful and energetic despite having a wrench for a hand.
The plot of this book will be predictable to many readers, and many will figure out what’s going on and who’s behind it long before it’s revealed by the author. There are several plot twists, and Bayard does a wonderful job of evoking Victorian London. The very best thing about MR. TIMOTHY is Bayard’s writing, which, like his characters, could have been penned by Dickens, himself. The paragraph below, which describes Augustus Sheldrake, a lawyer hired to defend Mr. Timothy is, I think, one of the best passages in the book:
Augustus Sheldrake squeezes his way through the station-house door. A stout, whey-skinned man with a decamping hairline and advancing whiskers, soldierly red on both fronts. The hand he presents to me is quite damp, and there is a prevailing humidity all about his person: wet eyes, wet lips, wet teeth…and, exhaling from his pores, an effluvium that, unless my nostrils deceive me, represents the final gaseous iteration of imported Jamaican rum.
If you like Dickens, you’ll probably like MR. TIMOTHY even though “Uncle N” only makes a cursory appearance. And thank goodness, at least as far as I’m concerned, Bayard doesn’t populate his book with all the grimy, starving, big-eyed waifs that over-populate almost every book Dickens wrote. You won’t find Philomela holding up a bowl and asking, “Please sir, I want some more.” I like children and I like Dickens, and I realize starvation was rampant in Victorian London, but enough is enough. I’ve had my fill of big-eyed waifs and then some.
MR. TIMOTHY is a book with an average plot, above-average characters, and wonderful, evocative writing. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but it was certainly good enough to cause me to explore Bayard’s other work.
September 13, 2021
3.5 stars
This was a very enjoyable read, though I didn't like it quite as much as Bayard's The Pale Blue Eye.
Although the premise of the novel is a riff off Dickens's A Christmas Carol, as with Poe and Pale Blue Eye, the original story has very little to do with the novel, although it does take place at Christmas, there is at least one ghost, and Ebenezer Scrooge is a side character. The protagonist is Tiny Tim, though as we find out, he is quite different than the Tim of the story, especially given the influence of a decade of his "Uncle" Ebenezer's patronage. The original story is largely irrelevant.
I appreciated the mystery of this as well as the Dickensian writing style, with lots of description evoking the dank streets of Victorian London, and a number of quirky characters, very well read in the audiobook.
The thing I liked least about the book was... the subject matter? I guess that's how I'd put it. I can't say a lot more without spoilers but some of the choices made, I feel, reinforce stereotypes about sex work.
This was a very enjoyable read, though I didn't like it quite as much as Bayard's The Pale Blue Eye.
Although the premise of the novel is a riff off Dickens's A Christmas Carol, as with Poe and Pale Blue Eye, the original story has very little to do with the novel, although it does take place at Christmas, there is at least one ghost, and Ebenezer Scrooge is a side character. The protagonist is Tiny Tim, though as we find out, he is quite different than the Tim of the story, especially given the influence of a decade of his "Uncle" Ebenezer's patronage. The original story is largely irrelevant.
I appreciated the mystery of this as well as the Dickensian writing style, with lots of description evoking the dank streets of Victorian London, and a number of quirky characters, very well read in the audiobook.
The thing I liked least about the book was... the subject matter? I guess that's how I'd put it. I can't say a lot more without spoilers but some of the choices made, I feel, reinforce stereotypes about sex work.
January 5, 2024
Much like his work in The Pale Blue Eye, this is one of the most beautifully written thrillers I’ve ever read. Bayard is a master of specific but florid language in narrative description, both endlessly evocative and deeply haunting. And often hilariously funny, especially if you know (or look up) some of his references. Impeccably researched, Bayard, and also chameleonic in his ability to shift style to appropriately convey his setting and tone. As for this particular story, it didn’t lean into Christmas themes or even develop its familiar characters in significant ways, which was disappointing to me (though Bayard notes in an interview he wasn’t writing a “sequel” so much as using that story and those characters to explore grief, family, and not belonging, though one then wonders why use this specific source material). But its alarmingly dark and nasty mystery follows a convoluted and fabulously realized plot that had me anxiously pulsing, and I even shed a few tears in the denouement. I can’t wait to read more of his work.
December 9, 2025
Hmmm. I do like Bayard's writing and found this really interesting because.. why was he doing all that. He based this on Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol and there was literally no need to do that. Mr. Timothy was the most useless protagonist in the world and every other character was more interesting (looking at you Colin the Melodious). Most surprisingly- this Christmas based tale was about a child sex slave operation -color me shocked! I have a lot of thoughts on this and I enjoyed it well enough but it is not something I will find myself recommending. Merry Christmas to them I guess
December 15, 2017
I read this about ten years ago and have remembered it. I liked what seeing happened to Tim from A Christmas Carol.
March 25, 2019
"Mr. Timothy" by Louis Bayard was pure delight. The book picks up the story of Dickens' "Christmas Carol" fifteen years later with Timothy Cratchit, now a grown man, living off the generosity of his "Uncle N." On a whim, Cratchit follows a young beggar girl and finds himself caught up in a true Victorian murder mystery.
I love the nostalgia of "A Christmas Carol," even in its faux Victorian syrupiness, and finding a book which details the aftermath of the famous story truly caught my attention, especially when coupled with a very well-written mystery. The setting was deliciously grimy and the characters very Dickensian. I enjoyed every minute of this book.
I love the nostalgia of "A Christmas Carol," even in its faux Victorian syrupiness, and finding a book which details the aftermath of the famous story truly caught my attention, especially when coupled with a very well-written mystery. The setting was deliciously grimy and the characters very Dickensian. I enjoyed every minute of this book.
December 31, 2019
Very grim novel that attempts to tell us what happened to the sweet ,disabled Tiny Tim Cratchit from Charles Dickens iconic "Christmas Carol". I'll admit that I have a soft spot for that story & have read the book( & watched the numerous movie & TV adaptions of it most every Holiday Season) but, that aside, I don't feel this book does justice to the the character,who's depicted as kind of a wastrel who refuses to take another cent from his Benefactor "Uncle N" (as he refers to Ebeneezer Scrooge) & instead lives in a brothel ,where he gives reading lessons to the Proprietress. Told in the First Person by the now 20-something Tim, with lots of descriptions of grimy people & places,which I suppose was much of London circa Mid 19th century. However,while there is some fine writing in this book, it lacks Dickens clever irony & empathy.Also, the grown Timothy (as he now is called) just doesn't seem all that likable. Look,I'm glad he wasn't portrayed as a saint since that would have been the obvious route but still..Finally,it's "Modernized" with many referrals to male anatomy & sex acts(Hey,he DOES live in a house of Ill Repute but it's just too excessive & I only got through about 5 chapters) The plot centers around Timothy attempting to solve the murder of a young prostitute whose "ghost" haunts him. I really enjoyed Bayard's "Courting Mr. Lincoln" but this book just wasn't my cuppa tea..!
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