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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)
4.31k reviews for:
A Christmas Carol [Illustrated]: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas
Charles Dickens
3.99 AVERAGE
4.31k reviews for:
A Christmas Carol [Illustrated]: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas
Charles Dickens
3.99 AVERAGE
Every year at this same time I listen to this book. First, Tim Curry is brilliant. Brilliant. For me, there can be no other reader. Period.
The story is one we all know, and yet it never gets old. Dickens' story is of redemption but is also a social commentary on 19th-century England and both messages are driven home, yet Dickens doesn't lecture and makes Scrooge, despite his meanness, relatable. We understand how he came to be the man he is at the beginning of the story, and his transformation throughout the book makes sense.
There's no good way to review a book like this so I'll leave with the suggestion that, no matter how many times you've seen the many movie versions of this story (my personal favorite is the Alastair Sim film from the 1950s), read the book. There is so much that Dickens has done with language that even the best film adaptations can't communicate. Read the book. It's gorgeous.
The story is one we all know, and yet it never gets old. Dickens' story is of redemption but is also a social commentary on 19th-century England and both messages are driven home, yet Dickens doesn't lecture and makes Scrooge, despite his meanness, relatable. We understand how he came to be the man he is at the beginning of the story, and his transformation throughout the book makes sense.
There's no good way to review a book like this so I'll leave with the suggestion that, no matter how many times you've seen the many movie versions of this story (my personal favorite is the Alastair Sim film from the 1950s), read the book. There is so much that Dickens has done with language that even the best film adaptations can't communicate. Read the book. It's gorgeous.
This is a Christmas must for me. I read it through once a year, watch at least one film version, or see it as a play. I've loved it since I was a kid.
Arguably my favorite book. It is a friendship that is renewed every year at Christmas time, like putting a cherished sentimental ornament on a Christmas tree, or having lunch with an old friend you only see once a year.
I own 3 movie versions of this book. It was neat to read it to see how close my films got the story. It was a fun Xmas season read.
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Marvellous. And a great treat for it to stretch into a new year. Like a good pudding, or a prized turkey. “…And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, was a second father…” — “may we all” indeed.
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We watch the George C. Scott version at *least* twice each Christmas season, so I figured it was about time I read the actual book. It's such a quick read. As is his wont, Dickens created a masterful tale that exposes the somber side of 18th century London while periodically throwing in a comical observation that provides relief both from the bleakness of the lives of London's destitute as well as the life which Ebeneezer Scrooge engendered for himself. It's a pretty spooky story for Dickens and I think that's what I love most about it. I don't care who you are or how many times you've read the book/seen the movie, it's impossible to deny that the ending never fails to foment that warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of one's stomach. Despite the fact that I know the story so well that I could recite sections by heart, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself."
"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself."
To be honest, I did not expect to like this one too much. I only really picked it up because I saw it at the library and figured it's a classic one should read at least once during their lifetime. That and I had never read any Dickens novel before so it felt like a good start, especially being such a quick read and also very important in general popular culture. But in the end I was rather moved by the story. It really makes you ponder about your own past, present and future as well.
Amazing. Read it aloud if you can. Dickens flair for description shines through here and the eloquence of his words and sentiment are perfectly married.