The Chimes (Classic Books, #188)

by Charles Dickens

"There's nothing,' said Toby, 'more regular in its coming round than dinner-time, and nothing less regular in its coming round than dinner. That's the great difference between 'em." In The Chimes, set on New Year's Eve, Dickens depicts the hardships faced by the poor. In a light manner, he criticizes the hypocritical attitudes that prevailed during the Victorian era. Preaching the virtues of taking pride in oneself and facing the consequences of the choices that one makes, this is a poignant work.

• ISBN10: 0875567886
• ISBN13: 9780875567884
• Publish Date: 1 March 1993 (first published 1 December 1844)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 5 June 2021
• Imprint: Albert Saifer Publisher
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

I hated this story.

It felt gloomy, unoriginal, and enraging. Most of Dickens’ stories discuss classism, but this particular tale is made mostly of pompous men telling poor folk they have no right to live. It was frustrating and over-stated. It took up so much of the story that it ceased to be a story and became a ranting slap in the face.

And the ending, after A Christmas Carol, was utterly predictable.

I got this book for free Christmas 2015 from Audible, but I don’t think I would have picked it up otherwise. Studies of Victorian literature and Dickensians should definitely pick up this story, but for the average reader, I’d go with A Christmas Carol and stop there.

(Read my full review on The Literary Phoenix.)