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![A Christmas Carol [Illustrated]: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens](https://assets.thestorygraph.com/assets/placeholder-cover-a3ae92250eb3301e32dc3eabf8d50576c2f047dda89f6ee7cfa9a859cb1fd746.jpg)
4.28k reviews for:
A Christmas Carol [Illustrated]: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas
Charles Dickens
3.99 AVERAGE
4.28k reviews for:
A Christmas Carol [Illustrated]: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas
Charles Dickens
3.99 AVERAGE
Marley was dead, to begin with.
The above is still my favourite opening to a novel!
We all know the story by now. Ebeneezer Scrooge is a mean old man who has come to despise Christmas and everything that it stands for. He is incredibly rich, has more money than he will ever know what to do with yet lives in a big, cold draughty house, pays his employees an absolute pittance and is cruel to he Clerk, Bob Cratchett. He is so tight-fisted that he will only permit the smallest amount of coal to go onto the fire in their office.
Much of the early part of the novel really points out what a mean old so-and-so Scrooge is. He sends the charity men away with a flea in their ear that he has done a great deal for the poor as his taxes fund the workhouses. When the men point out that the workhouses are hell and many would rather day, he replies curtly "they had better do it and decrease the surplus population."
Yet one Christmas Eve night, this mean old man is visited by the spirit of his former partner Jacob Marley who warns him of a terrible fate if he does not change his ways. Marley describes the suffering he endures yet points out that there is yet still hope for Scrooge. Three spirits will visit him this Christmas Eve night when the clock strikes 12. They are the Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
What can be said about this book that has not already been said a hundred times over? Well nothing really, but that doesn't mean that the message should not be repeated as often as is necessary. Scrooge doesn't just see how being a miserable old codger will bring so much unhappiness to so many but also how his inaction and cruelty is causing suffering. A decent payrise for Cratchett, a generous and charitable nature toward others and actively making up for those he has wronged will make life that much more tolerable for those he is able to help.
The cleverness is this is that the Ghost of Christmas Past brings out his inner child, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows him the low opinion that others have of him and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come demonstrates how much misery he bestows upon others and how little his death will be mourned if he does not change. It makes him vulnerable, tugs at the heartstrings and confronts him with brutal truths that he must face up to. Only then can he redeem himself... and redeem himself he does.
What better tale for the season of goodwill than trying to be the best person that you can possibly be? A Christmas Carol is for life, not just for Christmas.
A story to show that being kind in life goes a long way and the effect of those who don't choose that path
I can't count how many times I've read this book, but it's always a joy! It always puts me in the Christmas Spirit and Dicken's tongue in cheek humor never fails to make me smile! A true classic!
Second time reading, first time review.
I absolutely loved this book, even more this time around. This is the perfect Christmas book and I find that nothing brings the Christmas cheer as this book does. It is very heartwarming and makes you appreciate the little things in life.
I appreciated Dicken's writing and description, he was able to make me feel like I was transported in to the novel. This book always makes me very happy, I even teared up at the end. Scrooge's character development was very well done and while I did not like him very much at the beginning, I found myself slowly liking him the more I read forward.
This is such a timeless classic and I think that everyone will enjoy it whether you celebrate Christmas or not.
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”
I absolutely loved this book, even more this time around. This is the perfect Christmas book and I find that nothing brings the Christmas cheer as this book does. It is very heartwarming and makes you appreciate the little things in life.
I appreciated Dicken's writing and description, he was able to make me feel like I was transported in to the novel. This book always makes me very happy, I even teared up at the end. Scrooge's character development was very well done and while I did not like him very much at the beginning, I found myself slowly liking him the more I read forward.
This is such a timeless classic and I think that everyone will enjoy it whether you celebrate Christmas or not.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love this audiobook version narrated by Hugh Grant! Rereading/listening to this book at Christmas is becoming a favorite tradition.
I honestly can't remember the last time I read this book, but it was an absolute delight to listen to this rendition on Audible and hear the story anew this December. I was once again blown away by the relevance of this story first published in 1843 and still so poignant today. Always a great reminder of what's important not just at Christmas but throughout our lives.
I listened to Patrick Stewart read this on Audible and he gave an amazing reading. I've seen several versions of the movie, but I've never read it. Well, I guess I didn't read it this time either, but it was an unabridged version. Stewart kept me company while I did course prep for Spring classes.