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Quentin Blake's A Christmas Carol
Abilly
152 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
8 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Charles Dickens
12.7k books31.3k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 14, 2024
On a recent visit to the Castle at Hay on Wye my wife & I saw an excellent exhibition featuring the work of illustrator Quentin Blake. We were aware of his work on numerous Roald Dahl stories, but didn't realise he had illustrated A Chrsitmas Carol. So, before we left Hay Castle we bought a copy of the book.
Blake's illustrations enhance this classic Christmas story & add an extra spark of life to this wonderful tale. Next up: watch The Muppet Chrsitmas Carol. Another classic.
On a side note...Hay on Wye is well worth a visit as it is the Book Town of Britain & although only a small Welsh town there are over twenty book shops, many selling secondhand & specialist books. Heaven!
Blake's illustrations enhance this classic Christmas story & add an extra spark of life to this wonderful tale. Next up: watch The Muppet Chrsitmas Carol. Another classic.
On a side note...Hay on Wye is well worth a visit as it is the Book Town of Britain & although only a small Welsh town there are over twenty book shops, many selling secondhand & specialist books. Heaven!
December 19, 2023
It was fun to read this edition with Quentin Blake’s illustrations. I always love to read this story. Well-written, poignant, funny, it checks all the boxes for a great Christmas read.
December 12, 2025
Homeschool Lit book with my 7th grader. We did a mix of audio and print. This large size and pictures did make it seem a bit like a picture book, although a very long one. I always appreciate pictures too!
December 31, 2025
Love love love! We’ve listened to A Christmas Carol at least 4 times now and it only gets better. Our favorite audiobook is the one read by Hugh Grant. I also love this hard copy with its ridiculous illustrations by Quentin Blake!
January 31, 2024
Quentin Blake is a national treasure, his distinctive art, illustration style has been gracing children’s books for decades, including his own. His Quentin Blake’s A Christmas Carol never ages. Originally published in 1997 I wanted to include it this year because, well simply because we can’t have a Christmas without Dickens’ classic story retold and marvellously illustrated by Quentin Blake. As he explains in the foreword to this marvellous edition one of the aspects of the story which makes it so extraordinary for an illustrator is the variety of scenes and the unexpected story they bring. Creating illustrations is a challenge for any story creator but when the story creator is long gone and we have their text but not them in person we cannot ask them what the meaning behind their words is, was intended to be. Now it is all entirely open to interpretation and that is what makes this such a classic title to gift a book lover.
A Christmas Carol features Scrooge, his staff member Bob Cratchitt and of course Tiny Tim as well as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. Readers are very likely familiar with them all and rightly so but what they may not be so familiar with is some of the nuances of the story which Quentin Blake brings out. In keeping to the original text, he preserves the spirit of the writing whilst bringing out its essence. His Scrooge, head held high, long distinguished nose, smart clothing is in direct contrast to the young, smiley, happy Tiny Tim. The vibrant colours of the winter dance hall, the harpist and other happy scenes contrast beautifully with the sombre world that Scrooge has created and add immensely to the atmosphere of the story. We are taken from homely happy scenes to the haunting figures of the three ghosts seamlessly and we find ourselves turning every page not only with expectations for the story which is unfolding but also waiting to see what the next illustration will be. I highly recommend finding a copy of this book, taking part in the journey it offers, enjoying the humour that sits alongside the ghost story and immersing yourself in the wonderful interpretations of Quentin Blake’s illustrations.
A Christmas Carol features Scrooge, his staff member Bob Cratchitt and of course Tiny Tim as well as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. Readers are very likely familiar with them all and rightly so but what they may not be so familiar with is some of the nuances of the story which Quentin Blake brings out. In keeping to the original text, he preserves the spirit of the writing whilst bringing out its essence. His Scrooge, head held high, long distinguished nose, smart clothing is in direct contrast to the young, smiley, happy Tiny Tim. The vibrant colours of the winter dance hall, the harpist and other happy scenes contrast beautifully with the sombre world that Scrooge has created and add immensely to the atmosphere of the story. We are taken from homely happy scenes to the haunting figures of the three ghosts seamlessly and we find ourselves turning every page not only with expectations for the story which is unfolding but also waiting to see what the next illustration will be. I highly recommend finding a copy of this book, taking part in the journey it offers, enjoying the humour that sits alongside the ghost story and immersing yourself in the wonderful interpretations of Quentin Blake’s illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews