BAFTA Award-winning actress and much-loved comedian Jennifer Saunders delivers an outstanding performance of Mary Elizabeth Braddon's classic tale, The Christmas Hirelings. Sir John Penlyon opens the doors of his large and lonely mansion to three children in the hope of lifting the mood over the festive season. The arrival of Lassie, Laddie and little Moppet bring more than just fleeting Christmas cheer: Sir John finds himself re-assessing his past actions in light of the refreshingly honest and frank advice that only young children can deliver.
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(Audible Studios, 11 December 2018, first published 1864, audiobook, 3 hours 57 minutes, narrated by Jennifer Saunders, Audible)
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I really wanted to enjoy this book. I'm a fricking massive fan of The Christmas Carol after all. But I just couldn't warm to it. It was just too much, I found the sentiment nauseating at times. The children are precautious and wise beyond their years but I found their nuggets of wisdom and adorableness irritating. I had high hopes for this book but it just has far too much saccharine and sweetness in it for me. Sorry.
