THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Journalist Jesse Kornbluth has just published a version of A Christmas Carol he thinks is better and more relevant. It cuts almost half the book, changes vocabulary and eliminates characters--to make the book more relevant.

Here's my response on The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lev-rap...

You won't catch ME reading the "new" version!

It was 100 percent relevant as it was. Talk about hubris on Kornbluth's part!

Never will I read a "new" version of A Christmas Carol. It would be like the remake of a classic movie - my question would be why? It will not be A Christmas Carol if half the book is gone, the vocabulary is changed and eliminates characters.

Lindsay wrote: "You won't catch ME reading the "new" version!"

Check out my blog for an example of how he's changed the book.

Sharon wrote: "It was 100 percent relevant as it was. Talk about hubris on Kornbluth's part!"

See what he says at the link in my blog.

Jane wrote: "Never will I read a "new" version of A Christmas Carol. It would be like the remake of a classic movie - my question would be why? It will not be A Christmas Carol if half the book is gone, the v..."

Wait till you read my blog to see an example of how he changed the description of Scrooge.

Give me Dickens' A Christmas Carol any day!


Why is it that some contemporary writers feel the need to tinker with established classics?! Mr. Kornbluth is a lazy writer. He would've done better to write a novella or novel about Christmas as it is celebrated/observed in our lives today.

Lev - don't know if I want to ruin my Christmas that way. Just kidding. I will read. Actually can hardly wait ---

Jane wrote: "Lev - don't know if I want to ruin my Christmas that way. Just kidding. I will read. Actually can hardly wait ---"

Hopefully the ersatz excerpt will be overweighed by the excerpt of the real thing. :-)

Oh I went to your blog. The arrogance of the man is astounding. He's "gently" changed it. I think he better check out the definition of gently. I did and it's not the least bit descriptive of what he has done. Don't get me started ---

I agree. I had to write the blog because I was astounded by his claims.

Just read the latest New York Times book review. Simon Calloow introduces 4 books about Charles Dickens for young readers. Although it is not The Christmas Carol perhaps they would have prepared this cretin's 8 year old for the original.

Sorry for my previous brutal characterzation of the author who shall not be named. This type of behavior pushes my buttons because I think it falls under the broader umbrella of dumbing down. It seems that anytime we are challenged to strongly we accomodate by lowering the standards. This book is not appropriate for an 8 year old but to decide to give it a hatchet job because an 8 year old is bored is kind of frightening.

KOMET wrote: "Give me Dickens' A Christmas Carol any day!


Why is it that some contemporary writers feel the need to tinker with established classics?! Mr. Kornbluth is a lazy writer. He wou..."

That's a great idea, and so much more original than what he did!

Jane wrote: "Sorry for my previous brutal characterization of the author who shall not be named. This type of behavior pushes my buttons because I think it falls under the broader umbrella of dumbing down. It ..."

My parents encouraged me to read books beyond my grade level. If I didn't understand something, I looked it up. I think it sends the wrong message to change the book to match the reader.

It always amazes me when people think they can better a classic. It's a classic for a reason. It is not always because it was so well written or that there is no way to improve it, but for all it's flaws it stands the test of time. Some things we need to learn to appreciate rather than try to "fix" to make it easier for others to understand.