Chant de Noel by Jose-Louis Munuera

 I read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens every year. It was a real joy, this time, reading today a french graphic novel based on Dicken's novel: Chant de Noel

Une Histoire de Fantomes. Published by Dargaud rewritten by

José-Luis Munuera

There is some originality in this story because the main protagonist is not Ebenezer Scrooge but a sensual but pretty cold lady, Elizabeth Scrooge, who once owned the activity with Bob Marley.

Elizabeth doesn't have a heart in her chest, but a stone: she criticizes everyone: she doesn't want to spend a dime for helping poor people; she complains with her niece because she appreciates Christmas, furious with Cratchit her employer because of the day-off of the 25th. She doesn't like Christmas, but more, she doesn't love people. Once returned home, she starts to see something strange: the phantom is Bob Marley and he tells her that from his death he hasn't known peace and that he would want to help her because if she wants, she could potentially change her destiny. She will receive the visits of three spirits tells her Bob. The phantom of the past Christmases, the one of the current Christmas and the one of the Future Christmases. What Elizabeth will see will create a lot unhappiness: she didn't remember a lot of situations of her remote past: because of her avidity she had lost her boyfriend: she doesn't know of Tiny Tim's illness,  the frail son of Cratchit: without cures he will die soon. Elizabeth, understands that also her departure will be lived as a joy because she hasn't been a good spirit, a good person in this world.

And of course, after this tour de force, se will abruptly change becoming someone completely different.

I loved the illustrations, very strong and powerful and the characterization of Elizabeth and the three spirits. I also loved the warmth transmitted by the rest of the protagonists in their houses.

A graphic novel I warmly suggest to everyone. And maybe the spirit of Christmas remains with you for the rest of the year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I thank Netgalley for the ebook.

Anna Maria Polidori