A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

By Charles Dickens

Book Overview

A collection of stories of matchless charm and enduring popularity that enchanted listeners at Charles Dickens's public readings

Since it was first published in 1843 A Christmas Carol has had an enduring influence on the way we think about the traditions of Christmas. Dickens's story of solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is taught the true meaning of Christmas by the three ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, has been adapted into countless film and stage versions since it was first published. Dickens's other Christmas writings collected here include 'The Story of the Goblins who Stole a Sexton', the short story from The Pickwick Papers on which A Christmas Carol was based; The Haunted Man, a tale of a man tormented by painful memories; along with shorter pieces, some drawn from the 'Christmas Stories' that Dickens wrote annually for his weekly journals. In all of them Dickens celebrates the season as one of geniality, charity and remembrance. This new selection contains an introduction by distinguished Dickens scholar Michael Slater discussing how the author has shaped ideas about the Christmas spirit, original illustrations by 'Phiz' and John Leech, an appendix on Dickens's use of The Arabian Nights, a further reading list and explanatory notes.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140439056
• ISBN13: 9780140439052
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.0" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great edition

These books are not easy to carry around because of their size, but they are well-done and fun to read.

Greatest Christmas Story of All Time

This is my favourite fairy tale of all time. And this edition is a keeper. Dickens was touched by the finger of God when he sat down to write this little book. And it seems like the drawings and illustrations are almost on every page. So many great pictures!! 10 Stars.

Great Bargain Book

This review is specific to the Modern Library hardback. You probably know "A Christmas Carol," but you may not be familiar with "The Chimes" or "The Haunted Man." According to the introduction, Charles Dickens wrote a Christmas story every year after the success of "A Christmas Carol." This edition includes two of those tales as well. If you are a Dickens, or 19th century English literature, fan, you will probably enjoy those stories. Noticeably missing from the book is "Cricket on the Hearth." Overall, the book has nice paper, text, and a great little biographical introduction. I will definitely look for more Modern Library titles.

Better than Patrick Stewart's reading

Although I have never heard of the reader on this cd, he's great! The true mellow English accent creates the true "Dickens" feel to the reading. The reader is very, very good at changing voices (i.e.: from Scrooge's voice to that of Mrs. Cratchit). Patrick Stewart's version is very good--but this is far better. You won't be disappointed.

Heartwarming conversion of a soul

Charles Dickens writes this story in such detail that you almost believe you have just enjoyed Christmas dinner at the Cratchits home. The characters have so much depth. The made for t.v. or movie screen renditions do not truly depict what Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses with the three spirits that causes such a change in his outlook on life. Such as Scrooge's emotions being quickened by the past heartache in his childhood; seeing how his bad choices caused the hardening of his heart and how deeply it cost him in the end; seeing what could have been his to enjoy and then thinking it could still be his with the Spirit of Christmas Present only to find out the future does not hold any love or joy for him by the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come and instead his actions leave him robbed at death and no one left to grieve for him. Read the book to hear how this story was really written. Even if you have seen every Christmas Carol movie every made, the book will offer so many gold nuggets that you will think you are hearing it for the very first time. Pictures are beautifully detailed throughout the book. Excellent!!!