A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

John Leech (Illustrator)

A Christmas Carol has had an enduring influence on the way we think about the traditions of Christmas ever since it was first published in December 1843. 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 and is today the most famous and loved of all Christmas tales.

• ISBN10: 0143122495
• ISBN13: 9780143122494
• Publish Date: 6 November 2014 (first published 1 December 1843)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 31 October 2023
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Imprint: Penguin Classics
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 128
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780143122494

Reviews

[CrowNoYami]

While I've seen many versions of this novel in movie form, I understand now why this is such a beloved classic. I think I'll be reading more of Dickens, while I've seen his work done through other media. If reading them is anything like A Christmas Carol, then taking the time to read the original work is well worth it. 

A Christmas classic for a very good reason!

[Chelsea]

Read for Popsugar's 2018 Reading Challenge #1: A book made into a movie you've already seen

As good as expected!

[MurderByDeath]

Well, I don't need to tell anybody here about Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.  I might be the only person living who hadn't already read it at some point.  

I'll just say Tim Curry is brilliant (also not news) and he elevated the story to art.

My reaction throughout the story was surprise, as I had always had the impression that Scrooge was a hostile witness throughout the first two ghosts' visits.  That's what I get for comparing the real thing to a TV adaptation.

Anyway, if you're looking for a brilliant audio production of a classic for Christmas, look no further than this little gem.

[boghunden]

This is my third time reading this story and I still love it so very much.

This is the most perfect christmas book out there - from the few I've read that is. I absolutely adore everything about it. THere's things to be learned for both children and adults.

'For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas.'

The thing I like the most about this book though, is the writing. It's so beautiful. I cannot even begin to express my love for Dickens' writing style. It's so unique and very easy to read. I found myself reading some sentences over and over again just for the beauty of it.

'Why show me this, if I am past all hope!'

I like Tiny Tim and Marley, but best of all is Scrooge. Yeah, I know, no surprise there. I especially like the scene with the turkey and also the last scene with Bob. Those two scenes describe in a beautiful way what Christmas is about.

'I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.'

[clairelm]

I was surprised to find that I hadn't actually ever read this. Despite thinking I knew the story well, I discovered that actually, I didn't know so many of the nuances that it has.

This is the first Dickens I've read properly and it was great. I thought the details were well written and the story was definitely worth the read. It was enough to put me in the Christmas cheer :)

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

Ebenezer Scrooge is a wealthy, successful business man, but he is also a humbug, only participating in actions that could benefit himself. On the eve before Christmas, Scrooge is visited by his old business partner, Bob Marley who has been dead seven years. Bob Marley, is dressed in chains to symbolize the decay in society that he created in life. He forewarns Ebenezer that this too will be his fate if he does not change his ways. Later that night, he is visited by three spirits who through time give him a change of heart.

I'm embarrassed to say that I had not read this short story since middle school and had forgotten how magical and uplifting it is. It was so refreshing to see the transformation and various levels of change of spirit that Ebenezer Scrooge goes though. Tiny Tim is so adorable and heartwarming with his "God bless us, everyone." that you cannot help saying awwww. Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol is a well known holiday story with it's message being universal, be kind and generous towards others, essentially following the Golden Rule.

[Michael @ Knowledge Lost]

I’ve wanted to read this book for a while now, mainly to say I’ve read a Charles Dickens book and this one looked short. I did enjoy the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, it is a very famous and well known story, so i didn’t really have to focus on what was happening and instead I focused on the beauty of the writing. I see why Dickens was so famous and I will be reading some more of his work in the future.