Cratchit – A Christmas Carol Continues

Posted on by Marie Lott - Writer

★★★★ 4/5

Author: R.M. Bouknight                         Genre: Christmas

Publisher: Hollybridge Books                Published: August 2025

Started: 02/01/2026                               Finished: 07/01/2026

Page Count: 144 pages

“The fates never leave love to chance”

I was so excited when this book came up as a Facebook Ad last month. As a lover of A Christmas Carol, I was suddenly desperate to read how the Cratchit family was getting on, it was as though R.M. Bouknight knew I needed this in my life more than I did!

Cratchit is set thirteen years after a Christmas carol, leaving enough room for the new world Cratchit now finds himself in to corrupt him into being a selfish, ignorant man. Inevitably, it takes its toll on his family; how he behaves as a father and as a husband. It’s a grim reminder of how our every decision can affect every aspect of not only our own lives, but the lives of those closest to us.

Delving into the first stave, something wasn’t sitting right with me. A self-assured Bob Cratchit? Tiny Tim a ladies’ man? the family split? This wasn’t how I remembered these much-loved characters. I persevered, and was glad I did, because once I moved into stave two, it dawned on me that no one stays the same, people change, especially over the course of thirteen years. Once I became open to this I could see how the world can have a huge impact on man’s weakness in following his desires.

The ghost of Christmas past reminds Cratchit of how he was before Scrooge helped him, and of pivotal moments that subtly reshaped who Cratchit becomes, to the point that he hardly recognises himself anymore. The ghost of Christmas present highlights to Bob the effect this change is currently having on his wife and children, things that he’d become blind to. And the ghost of Christmas yet to come shows him what will be if he doesn’t change. Can the spirits save Bob Cratchit?

R.M. Bouknight explores themes such as women’s roles, social issues and peer pressure, and on a more serious note, bullying and suicide which may serve as potential triggers, but Bouknight handles these issues with great care and sensitivity.

I would recommend Cratchit to any fan of A Christmas Carol. A casual reader may only think about the characters they’ve enjoyed, but more reflective readers may discover some deeper thoughts about their own vulnerabilities that stays with them long after the final page.

In the end, Cratchit doesn’t pretend to be a new idea, it’s better than that. It’s a reminder of how our decisions shape us, for better or worse, and how easy it is to fall. But also, (to quote Aragorn, one of my favourite characters), that there’s always hope.

Broken

Posted on by Marie Lott - Writer

‘What are you arguing about?’ asked Lilly. She’d noticed it a lot lately. One minute they were a happy family, and then it seemed her parents didn’t like each other anymore.

            ‘We’re not arguing,’ her father had said. He pulled her in for a cuddle. Lilly loved cuddles with her dad; it was warm and cosy, her safe space. It never usually lasted this long though. When he released her he held her hands and looked into her eyes, Lilly wondered if he was starting a staring contest. ‘I love you, Lilly, don’t ever forget that.’

            Lilly giggled, ‘I know, you tell me everyday, Daddy.’

            She let go of his hands and ignoring her mother, she ran out to the garden. Unlike the atmosphere inside, the garden welcomed her; the flowers smiled, the trees waved, the insects kept her company. Outside, she felt wanted.

She sat cross legged on the grass and hummed a tune while she busied herself making daisy chains. For a moment the only sounds were the breeze and a little blackbird calling out for some attention. Then she heard her mother shout, making Lilly jump.

            ‘If you’re going to leave then go, we don’t need you, me and Lilly will be fine without you.’

            Leave? Lilly didn’t understand. Her mother was wrong, Lilly wouldn’t be fine without him, she needed him. She left her daisy chain and marched up the garden path, she had to make them see. A door slammed and she knew it was too late. Her walk turned into a sprint and then words came out of her mouth that she hadn’t planned on saying, ‘Daddy,’ she called as she entered the house, ‘don’t go. Mummy’s wrong, I do need you Daddy.’ But he had gone.

Tears escaped from her eyes and she turned to her mother for comfort, but her mother had none to offer. She was sat at the table with an opened bottle of wine. Lilly recognised it as the drink that made her parents happy. She’d never seen them drink it at breakfast though. Her mother picked up the glass and Lilly said, ‘I hope you feel better after that, Mummy.’ Her mother looked at her as she pressed the glass to her lips.