Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Best Halloween Book: The Legend of Decimus Croome

Classic Halloween Story

The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol is destined to become a Halloween classic tale.  It has all the makings of a Halloween favorite novel. There's humor, romance, ghosts (lots of ghosts), a witch, a black cat, a vampire, a werewolf, a scarecrow and all the Halloween necessities. And it's obvious the author had fun writing it. He included tons of word play as well as lots of entertaining literary elements like alliteration, metaphors, similes and so on.

A Modern Charles Dickens for Halloween

A Halloween Carol - The Legend of Decimus Croome is a remake of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens... with lots of fun twists. First of all, it's set in contemporary America rather than nineteenth century England. Speaking of setting, it's also set on Halloween rather than Christmas. The characters are nicely reimagined also with Decimus Croome rather than Ebenezer Scrooge and Tommy Bobbich rather than Tiny Tim. And the ghosts are a little spooky but a lot funny. Just like A Christmas Carol, A Halloween Carol has four ghosts. The first one is Croome's mostly departed wife who warns him of the pending visits with three more spectral sages. But nothing can prepare Decimus Croome for the antics of the pumpkin-headed tour guide, the wacky-but-wise witch and the hauntingly mute specter.

A Halloween Carol, the Movie

As you read this book, you'll find many reasons to enjoy it. Whether it's the word play, the humor, the nostalgic looks at Halloweens past or the lively characters who keep you wanting to read more. But you should read the book with one particular goal in mind. Try imagining this Halloween book as a Halloween movie. Think about it. Are there really any awesome Halloween classic movies. I suggest there are not. Oh, there are plenty best Halloween movie lists out there, but take a close look at them. They consist of:
  • Halloween movies that are too gruesome for the whole family.
  • Halloween movies that are geared toward young children ONLY.
  • Movies that are considered Halloween movies but have very little to do with Halloween.
Compare this with all the classic Christmas movies that people watch over and over each year. Up until now, there really aren't any classic Halloween movie equivalents. The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol would make the ideal timeless Halloween movie:
  • It would be a Halloween movie suitable for all ages.
  • It has a great mix of humor, great characters, a timeless theme and great visual appeal.
  • It Has just the right amount of Halloween spookiness to be fun, but not too much to scare the kids.
  • It makes a nice transition from Halloween to Christmas with the Charles Dickens tie-in.

A Halloween Carol the Graphic Novel

The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol would also make the best Halloween graphic novel or comic book. Imagine the ghosts, scarecrow, witch and specter brought to life in a full-color graphic format. Once again, it would be a wonderful classic Halloween tale for all ages.


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