A magical Christmas tale—deserves to become a classic. A dark but hopeful, riveting look at London society in the 1800s.” At nearer the age of five than four, illegally sold into the London chimney sweeping trade as a chimney sweep’s apprentice—a Climbing Boy—for the pittance of back rent owed to the landlord of the shack he had lived in with his widowed, just-deceased mother, Zachariah became little more than a slave to his owner, an abusive inebriate.       His mother dead these past five years, the image of her face fading from memory, the little child struggled to remember, but appearing only in deep shadow, even in his dreams, the boy could no longer envision his mother…       Then on this day before Christmas in 1843, the very day of the same mystical Christmas Eve that Ebenezer Scrooge had his three ghostly visitors, the oddly familiar face of a kindly lady struck a deep chord that rekindled the memory of the image missing from his dreams—the face of his mother—and gave Zachariah hope for the future.       Finally, left alone to find his way home on this magical Christmas Eve, encountering his intoxicated master and severely beaten, Zachariah is saved by… “A magical Christmas tale—deserves to become a classic.” “A dark but hopeful, riveting look at London society in the 1800s.” “You'll fall in love with Zachariah, and feel his love for you.”              Excerpt Then on this day before Christmas in 1843, the very day of the same mystical Christmas Eve that Ebenezer Scrooge had his three ghostly visitors

Professional Reviews
The Climbing Boy
work of an artist, August 18, 2006
By don davey (Carmel Ca) - See all my reviews

Loved it, best book I have read in years. A friend told me about it and loaned me a copy. Whatever I say would not begin to do it justice. Buy it or if necessary borrow it but read it and enjoy. Im sure you will as I did, want it in your permanent collection. Mark is a true artist and I look forward to his next work

The Climbing Boy
By Elizabeth Russo, Milltown, New Jersey November, 2008
This book is destined to be a classic. Take my advice, fellow readers, and purchase this book...for yourself, for a gift. I have mine and I love it. You will fall in love with "The Climbing Boy" and your heart will be in your throat throughout. The writer will bring you there, with the characters, and you will become more than an observer...you will be part of the story. ~

The Climbing Boy
By Bruce G. Berger (Westlake Villagel, CA) - See all my reviews


This 'feel good' tale by Mark Lichterman, a relatively unknown, but upcoming author, is way more than just another Christmas story. It is a classic description of the London chimney sweeping trade, brought to life by superb characterization of its main players. The reader immediately bonds with Zachariah, an eight year old child, who you want to bring home, bathe, feed, clothe and just cuddle. He will steal your heart while other feelings of anger, rage and resentment arise from the provocative personality of William Johnson, the boy's Master. Lichterman, in expert fashion, weaves a very twisted, intertwining yarn that has you holding your breath until the very end. This book is a must read and I can hardly wait to get a copy of the authors newest book, Becoming.

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