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The Christmas Hirelings cover art

The Christmas Hirelings

Written by: Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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Publisher's Summary

Richard Armitage modernizes a classic hidden gem of Christmas Past… Sir John Penlyon is planning to spend Christmas at his estate with his niece and his friend Danby, the closest thing he has to family since disowning his daughter years ago. (She eloped with the parson, who was, of course, penniless.) Danby suggests that at Christmastime the estate needs the presence of small children, and offers to find some - the “hirelings” - despite Sir John’s skepticism. Three children duly arrive, and the youngest, precocious four year-old Moppet, quickly endears herself to Sir John. The season takes flight with merriment, warmth, and even affection, until Moppet - as young children are wont to do in Victorian holiday tales - falls deathly ill. With her life hanging by a tinsel-thin thread, how will the makeshift family cope? 

Listeners who smile ironically at the antiquated juxtaposition of The Christmas Hirelings might be surprised by the contemporary feel of a blended family, income inequality, and the power of togetherness to heal past sorrows. Richard Armitage’s stellar voice makes each scene as rich as a plum pudding dotted with the raisins of tradition (party favors, carols, and more!), and the entire performance feels like a trip to bygone England…just in time for the end of this year. 

Public Domain (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Christmas Hirelings

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

Listed to this over an afternoon and evening today. First of all Richard Armitage is my favourite actor and reader and I have dowloaded all but one of the ones he has done. He “performs “ this audiobook as he has done all the others. Not just narrates. I have downloaded two more and can’t wait to listen to them. He is indeed incomparable! How he is able to voice all the characters is amazing. I forget it’s only one person I’m listening to!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Precious

I got this because it was free, and honestly, I thought it was going to be okay. I was pleasantly surprised by the charm of the story.The story was extremely predictable but the journey was worth it. Also, it's shortness worked in it's favour, if it was longer, the story would have overstayed it's welcome.
This story was precious, warm, charming and familiar, like Christmas.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful story! wonderful reading

simply enjoyable. Listened in one go. The voices were absolutely delightful with the accents and intonations!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming

A gentle, lovely story of family reconciliation through the love of a child. Most appreciated at Christmas.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

lovely victorian holiday story

The story is perhaps a little predictable but the book is overall a very enjoyable listen

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Christmas tradition

Every year at this time I review and listen to my collection of Christmas stories, which brings me joy happiness.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A little slow. A little predictable…

…and yet it still works. Sometimes we need a reminder of what’s important in life. This is a well narrated and touching story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Christmas made Bright

I think this is a lovely, heartwarming story, which touches on family dynamics regardless of era.
Enjoyed it completely.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Excellently performed

The performance was excellent. The plot is extremely predictable, and is very much a product of its' time. I found Sir John to be an unlikeable person throughout. That being said, it was free and short.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Cosy, Cosy, Cosy

This is as demanding as a cosy Christmas blanket. No effort required to work out the plot.

and it is narrated by Richard Armitage who honestly I think could narrate the dictionary and still sound captivating.

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