“Bah humbug!” Scrooge’s familiar retort to Christmas enthusiasts doesn’t begin to describe Alex Bernstein’s take on the holidays.

In his new book, “Miserable Holiday Stories: 20 Festive Failures That Are Worse than Yours!” the author and humorist envisions a fictional world of offbeat characters caught up in the hurly-burly of a holiday season gone off the rails. In Bernstein’s homage to the scrooges and grinches among us, all is not merry and bright.

“Miserable Holiday Stories” is the latest in his series of 'Miserable' books. The series also includes "Miserable Adventure Stories," which won the 2018 Best Indie Book Award, and "Miserable Love Stories." His work has appeared in McSweeney’s NewPopLit, The Rumpus and numerous other publications.