Book – A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1848) – Ebenezer Scrooge is a bitter old man whose life is focused on making and keeping as much money as possible.  Visits from ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future give him a reason to change.

If there is a story in the English language more beloved than Dickens’ tale of the Christmas Eve transformation of Scrooge it doesn’t suggest itself to mind at the moment.  Since it was first published the book has never gone out of print.  It’s been made into just about any possible adaptation from mime to opera, musical, television special, radio drama, animation  and almost too many movies to count.

Having said all that, it occurred to me that I had never actually READ the book!  Given that book is only a novella at 118 pages, it seemed like the perfect time to fix that.

I was rewarded in full.  As much as I “knew” the story (although it’s interesting to note which bits have been left out by which adaptation) there is a depth that I never realized was there.  Now that’s not unusual when you compare books to movies.  What grabbed me was the detail in setting that Dickens provides.  It sets a mood that I don’t often feel even from my favorite movie versions.  The story begins in a darker place than the more polished vision of mid-1800 London.  It made the story much more compelling for me.

Then there is the writing.  Dickens holds the place just behind Shakespeare among English language writers.  “A Christmas Carol” has passages that reminds of why that is.  There are stunning passages in this book.  While Scrooge is being visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present Scrooge notes that there appears to be something hiding under the ghost’s robe.  When the robe is opened it reveals two children, a boy and a girl, dressed in rags.  Scrooge asks the ghost if they are his.  The ghost responds:

‘They are Man’s,’ said the Spirit, looking down upon them. ‘And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers.  This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it.’ cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. ‘Slander those who tell it ye.  Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse.  And abide the end.’ 

Gives me chills.  And it’s only a part of a larger section of equally wonderful writing.

Why I Liked It – I discovered a much deeper version of the story that I love.

Why You Will Like It – The beloved characters and story told by a writer in full command of his craft.

Rating – ***** Highest Recommendation