MARVIN KAYE

The Nero Wolfe Files/The Archie Goodwin Files
This two-volume Wildside Press collection of articles, stories, and verse about Rex Stout's great detective Nero Wolfe is derived from approximately twenty-five years worth of issues of "The Gazette," the periodical of The Wolfe Pack, a society devoted to America's greatest -- and largest -- sleuth, the orchid-loving, beer-drinking Nero Wolfe and his amanuensis Archie Goodwin.

Mr. Jack
The direct descendant of Don Juan is in late midlife crisis ... he actually wants to get married! This revitalizes his career, and he gives lectures that invite the audiences to submit their questions on love and sex to "the world's greatest lover."

The Last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge
Nightmares and a powerful sermon persuade Scrooge to journey into his past. His quest ultimately brings him to revelations that he and only he can fight for in the courts of Paradise. Dickens’s compassion and social conscience might well have conceived a story like The Last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge.


“It’s a brave soul who writes a sequel to a universally-loved and –known book like A Christmas Carol; it’s a rarer man still who does a job as fine as Marvin Kaye of evoking Charles Dickens without imitating him, of extending a story that until now seemed resolved and delivering a tale which will delight, terrify and affect all readers.”
-- Kim Newman, author of “Andy Warhol’s Dracula.”


“ … intriguing and unusual. The treatment of the Jewish angle throws a sidelight on early C19th society and fictional representations of it at the time which is extremely interesting. I’m sure that readers will find it fascinating … a worthy endeavour with much that is thought-provoking.”
-- Charles Palliser, author of The Quincunx


“I was impressed and moved on many levels, not only by Marvin Kaye’s mastery of Dickensian style, but also by a kind of optimism or idealism far more consistent with Victorian Dickens/Kaye than purely contemporary Kaye. I can imagine Marvin really wrote it as Dickens might have wanted it to go.”
-- Paula Volsky, author of The Grand Ellipse


“This is a magical, indeed a miraculous, story. Here is the vision of the Afterlife which Dickens did not address, but was the unanswered question at the end of his original tale. It is rare indeed when an author writes a sequel to some other author’s book and does not diminish both. It’s brilliant.”
-- Morgan Llywelyn, author of Lion of Ireland


NEW YORK REVIEWERS
For The Open Book's
Annual Ensemble Production

" .. an exploration of friendship, penitence, guilt, anti-Semitism and brotherhood in the true spirit of the season .. (It) generously rewards a visit."
-- Lawrence VanGelder, THE NEW YORK TIMES

"In a town where the lighting of a giant Christmas tree, extravagant shop window displays, and scantily clad synchronized kickers make up our holiday traditions, I say New York needs to make room for a tradition with substance and that is most certainly found in The Open Book’s production of Marvin Kaye’s 'The Last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge.'”
-- Liza White, NEW THEATER CORPS

"Based on a sequel to Charles Dicken’s "A Christmas Carol", "The Last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge" is a testament to the limitless talent of author/actor, Marvin Kaye. ... Kaye’s story is one of friendship, love and most of all, a heartwarming tale of the “Bah, Humbug” man who has changed for good. It brings joy to the heart, and is one show that will definitely put you in the Christmas Spirit.
-- Maria Perez-Martinez, NEW THEATER CORPS


READER REVIEWS

REVIEWER: Vaudeguy from Dover, New Jersey

Sequels to great and loved novels are the most difficult writing to pull off. Because no matter what you do, someone usually is unhappy with it. ... However, Mr. Kaye not only created a beautiful and touching story, but he doesn't even WRITE like Marvin Kaye. The metaphors, the descriptions themselves are pure Dickens -- not a copy of the master, but the use of language in the style made famous by the man called "the Shakespeare of the Novel" ... It is an exciting tale, worthy to grace any bookshelf with the original.

REVIEWER: Loay Howard Hall from Blackwell, Oklahoma

THE LAST CHRISTMAS OF EBENEZER SCROOGE (Wildside Press) by Marvin Kaye is one of the most delightful and magical Christmas stories written ... Mr. Kaye's style of writing evokes Dickens's own without imitating Dickens. It is a rapid moving story with the charm, surprise, mystery and insight of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and a beauty and wonder all its own. Mr. Kaye is one of the most gifted and original novelists practicing his craft today. THE LAST CHRISTMAS OF EBENEZER SCROOGE is a "must read". Don't miss it!!

REVIEWER: The Rev. Kathleen LaCamera from Wilmslow, Cheshire, Great Britain

You don't have to be a Dickens fanatic to enjoy this book. I was intrigued to find out what really happened AFTER Ebenezer Scrooges's Christmas Eve conversion from miser to man of charity. Marvin Kaye gives full life to those who until now we've only glimpsed ... Kaye weaves a wonderful, surprising story complete with intrigue, mystery and even a bit of ancient Talmudic wisdom thrown in for good measure. While the writing is evocative of the period, it's accessible and flows easily, even for a dyslexic reader like me ... In short, The Last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge is a delight. Buy it, read it and recommend it to a friend!

REVIEWER: Bill King from New York City

My wife and I had the pleasure of being in the audience hearing the author read his excellent book. Charles Dickens would be proud to have his story continued in such an effective and entertaining manner. This book provides a new dimension to Christmas season literature, building skilfully on a well-known classic. It enthralls with delight, and is recommended reading for all. Like a follow-up story in a newspaper of a major event, it is so satisfying and interesting to find out what happened to the people involved. The way the author adds to a holiday legend makes a great read!

REVIEWER: Caroline Wood from Longview, Washington

I think of them as one - as two parts of a whole. Marvin Kaye's sequel to "The Christmas Carol" picks up Dickens's thread so effortlessly and so honestly and yet at the same time so originally. Mr. Kaye speaks with his own voice or else there would be only an echo of another's voice and there is no such echo in this story. There is instead a clear ringing of honesty ... it is as though Mr. Kaye has walked in Dickens's shoes through the din and foulness of some of London's 19th Century streets, that they have spent many long evenings in front of a warm fire listening to one another well. It is not only a common shoe size these two authors share, they share too a kindred soul - a soul that reaches out to embrace their fellow-man bringing them together as brothers ... This story for me shall always be the last chapter of "A Christmas Carol".

REVIEWER: Edmee Firth from Bedford, New York

Don't worry if this Christmas the snow doesn't fall, and you can't put logs in the fireplace. Reading Marvin Kaye's book will put you in the mood for Christmas: immediately. This comforting tale, written in elegant Dickensian prose, but with a touch of contemporary sensibility, is a delight. The Christmas Carol cast is reassembled and we meet the Scrooge we knew existed all along, the one we only glimpsed at in the Christmas Carol. It is always good to know there is a second chance, and the Jewish angle is interesting and timely without being preachy. The descriptions feel authentic and the dialogue is lively. It was a lovely read, and I was sorry to finish it.

REVIEWER: Peggy Simmons from Midland, Texas

Being a Dickens fan for many decades, I picked up "The last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge" with some trepidation, fearing that I would be offended by a copycat effort at reproducing a classic .... an effort which one rightly dreads. To my utter delight, I found myself engrossed in Dickens's world and unable to put the book down. Marvin Kaye captures the feeling and spirit of "A Christmas Carol" and then carefully leads you beyond that into a world of spiritual awakening and a search for redemption that keeps the reader involved, and like every good mystery, eager to discover the solution. I heartily recommend this book as a perfect Christmas gift for your friends who are discriminating readers, and a must for Dickens lovers!

REVIEWER: Terry Kaye, Van Nuys, California

For anyone looking for a wonderful book to renew their "holiday spirit" - this is it! This is the sequel that Dickens would have written. The conclusion is thoroughly satisfying and the theme of brotherhood and love seems especially significant in the chaotic post 9/11 world. I highly recommend this book to one and all!

REVIEWER: Russ McKee

What a wonderful continuation of my favourite book, movies, etc. Dickens himself couldn't have done a better job. How fascinating you made the story blend with the original. I cracked a bottle of Port, put on a fire, turned on my Christmas Tree (yes it's still up) and read it cover to cover. I couldn't put the book down. I have watched the movies for years since a child, 1951 is my favourite and I have copies of almost all of them all the way back to Thomas Edison's 1910 silent movie. It would be wonderful to have your book made into film.