The Lump of Coal Audiobook By Lemony Snicket cover art

The Lump of Coal

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The Lump of Coal

By: Lemony Snicket
Narrated by: Neil Patrick Harris
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This is a story about a lump of coal who can think, talk, and move itself around.

Is there a more charming holiday tale to behold? Probably, but Lemony Snicket has not written one.

Do you actually want to hear Audible's exclusive interview with Lemony Snicket?©2008 Lemony Snicket (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers Christmas Fiction Holidays & Celebrations Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Comedy Winter
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This is such a cute story! Worth all 146 pennies I paid for it.

So Cute!

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If you could sum up The Lump of Coal in three words, what would they be?

...this is one both the child and the parent will enjoy hearing.

What other book might you compare The Lump of Coal to and why?

The Screaming Latke, A Holiday Story by Lemony Snicket
because it is also a holiday story with the same tongue-in-cheek style but Chanukah focused. (would love an audible of this one)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

like most Lemony Snicket books

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From now it's one of my favourite Christmas stories.
Great opportunity to show children that meaning of miracle can be ordinary and we can find it in our lives everyday.

The Story about ordinary miracles

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What did you love best about The Lump of Coal?

The final message of this story is thoughtful, warm and wonderful. The story is witty. The protagonist is singular (amongst holiday stories, perhaps not in the grill.) Many holiday stories -- even ancient ones -- are about miracles. However, many new holiday stories are redundant. This one is not. And Neil Patrick Harris provides an excellent reading! His tone is very well suited to Snicket's prose.

What other book might you compare The Lump of Coal to and why?

Like the protagonist, the story is rather singular. It is about the holidays, but, as many of the best stories are about more than their settings and plots, this story is about something more than Christmas and a lump of coal.

Have you listened to any of Neil Patrick Harris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but this one inclines me to seek him out.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I grow more fond of it every time we listen to it. Which, between Thanksgiving and Twelfth Day, is often.

Any additional comments?

When will we have the Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming? I am baffled that this is not yet available as an audio book. It is very well suited to performance. Really, what's the hold-up? Is this another example of the latke being overshadowed by a christmas icon? And an obscure one at that. A lump of coal. The indignity.
The delightfulness of The Lump of Coal makes me more anxious to hear the Latke brought to audible life.

When will we have the Latke Who Couldn't Stop. . .

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I absolutely loved the book. Lemony Snicket fans will not be disappointed. Snicket uses the same narration style used in Series of Unfortunate events and the same voice of narration in All the Wrong Questions, except with a much lighter tone. Neal Patrick Harris does a fantastic job as the reader. Excellent choice to have the Netflix SoUE series actor read this selection from Snicket's library. Harris is a spectacular actor and storyteller both on the screen and off. Listening to him read the story was a joy. Favorite part of the book was where Snicket compares miracles to pimples. He says that once you start searching for pimples, you find more than you could ever imagine.

We love you Lemony Snicket!

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What did you love best about The Lump of Coal?

The twists and turns. And Neil Patrick Harris' wry delivery.

What did you like best about this story?

The title character's pluck.

Which character – as performed by Neil Patrick Harris – was your favorite?

The lump of coal.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The little piece of carbon who could.

A wry new holiday classic

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I listen to this story at least once a year. It makes you remember what's most important in the world and to look for tiny miracles. I have also purchased this audiobook for most of my family and close friends. Share it with those you love.

It's a MIRACLE!

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Something the whole family will enjoy.

Cute Story

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