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A Christmas Carol: The original classic book by Charles dickens

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A Christmas Carol is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol during a period when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols, and newer customs such as Christmas cards and Christmas trees.

He was influenced by the experiences of his own youth and by the Christmas stories of other authors, including Washington Irving and Douglas Jerrold. Dickens had written three Christmas stories prior to the novella, and was inspired following a visit to the Field Lane Ragged School, one of several establishments for London's street children. The treatment of the poor and the ability of a selfish man to redeem himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are the key themes of the story. There is discussion among academics as to whether this is a fully secular story, or if it is a Christian allegory.

94 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 1843

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About the author

Charles Dickens

12.6k books31.2k followers
Charles 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)

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 899 reviews
Profile Image for Cecily.
1,320 reviews5,328 followers
December 24, 2025
The Christmas classic that everyone knows – even if they haven’t read it. It's quite short, and at some levels quite an easy read, but there is plenty of depth, so I think it's worth reading it in a thoughtful and slightly leisurely way.

Plot

It is a simple tale of how a normal man turns cold-hearted and mean and how, when confronted with memories of his past and the possible outcomes of his actions and inactions, he is redeemed by making positive changes to his life and thus that of others.


Image: Three-cell summary by John Atkinson/Wrong Hands (Source)

Typical Victoriana or not?

The book opens with wonderful bathos, “Marley was dead, to begin with.” So right from the outset it is clear it is not a straightforward factual tale. Apart from the famous ghosts (of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come), which were not unusual in literature of the time, it has time travel and parallel worlds, where each significant choice leads to a branching of reality, which is a staple of much great sci fi. Not such a typical Victorian novel after all.

Whilst it is a book whose unhurried and detailed descriptions of Christmas are the epitome of the season (“apoplectic opulence”), it is a book of great contrasts: humbug/festivities, hot/cold, company/solitude, poverty/wealth, worthy poor/wastrels, past/future etc.

There is humour too, such as observing that a coffin nail would be deader than the proverbial doornail.

Corruption and redemption

Scrooge’s name has become synonymous with meanness and sociopathy, which is unfair.

The whole point of the book is that he changes for the better, and right from the start there are hints that he wasn’t and isn’t irredeemably bad. For example, he never removed Marley’s name from the sign above his office. I don’t think the reason was solely parsimony because during and after the ghostly encounters, we see different aspects of Scrooge, surely exposed by the ghosts, not actually created by them. So maybe part of the reason for leaving the name was a fondness for the memory of his friend and partner - a link to happier times.

Certainly Scrooge had sunk to nasty depths, and maybe "It was all the same to him" reflects Scrooge's conscious and observable attitude, rather than the deeper, painful mix of happy and sad memories that he tried so hard to suppress, even though Scrooge would have denied it and believed his denial.

Charity is shown to be not merely financial, but personal too (being pleasant, complimentary, thinking creatively about what to do). A counterpoint to that is that regret is pointless and self-indulgent: the way to overcome it is through reparation – which takes us back to charity.


Image: Scrooge by Quentin Blake for 1993 postage stamp (Source)

Ghostly significance

The ghostly visitors are not of the Christian kind, but ghost stories were popular in Victorian England. Each ghost is very distinctive in appearance and manner.
* The first is pale, shadowy (long forgotten?) and “like a child; yet not so like a child as an old man” (the child is father of the man?).
* The second is a convivial festive spirit wanting to share joy.
* The third is dark, solemn and scary, reflecting Scrooge’s fears of death and also the sadness that will emanate from him if he does not change, but also with an indistinct face and shape, perhaps suggesting the potential malleability of the future.

Christmas Weather and Traditions

This story is perhaps almost as much part of collective British consciousness about Christmas as the nativity: the presence of snow, gifts, family - and turkey all feel an essential part of the festivities, possibly more so than when Dickens wrote it.

Apparently, snow features strongly in a Dickensian Christmas because of an unusual number of white Christmases in Dickens' childhood; for him, the two went together in his mind, if not always in his adult life.

Christian or Secular?

It has been suggested that it is a surprisingly secular book, but we live in a less religious society and so don’t always notice religious symbolism and allegories unless they’re spelt out. The whole story is a parallel of the Christian gospel, and the fact it’s set at Christmas emphasises that. The main message of Christianity is that no sinner is beyond salvation if they genuinely repent, and that is also the story of Scrooge.

There are other links too: three people profiting from the spoils of the dead man (like the Roman soldiers at the cross, albeit they cast lots to decide who got what) and Peter Cratchit reading from the Bible in Christmas yet to come.

In those days, religion was so much part of quotidian life for most people that it almost fades into the background at times, like having a wash. Dickens had no need say the quotation is from the Bible or to talk about baby Jesus being part of Christmas because all his readers would know that and most of them would believe it. In our secular times, perhaps that makes the story more powerful now than when it was written?


Image: Bob Cratchitt and Tiny Tim by Quentin Blake for 1993 postage stamp (Source)

Fresh insights - 2020 UPDATE

I really enjoyed this 45-minute podcast by a trio of twenty-somethings I know:
Teaching My Cat to Read - A Christmas Carol

Their lively and creative discussion views the story in ways I hadn't considered, demonstrating why it remains so relevant and enjoyable. It also touches on Lord of the Rings, Beowulf, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, The Hogfather, The Muppets (or course), and capitalism and healthcare.

One aspect that especially resonated with me was that they kept coming back to the importance personal connections - something many of us miss acutely in this Christmas plagued by plague. It's not just about charity and money. Scrooge wasn't always "Scrooge", but became that way because of unresolved hurt and trauma. Early on, three people reach out to him to embrace the spirit of the season. He rebuffs them, so it falls to actual spirits.

There's plenty more in the podcast...

Finally:
Brian Bilston's "Tense Christmas"


It's included in Days Like These: An alternative guide to the year in 366 poems, which I am reviewing HERE.
Profile Image for Fátima Linhares.
933 reviews339 followers
December 21, 2023
Há uns tempos comecei o conto de Dickens, mas não terminei, ainda!
Esta adaptação é uma versão muito resumida da obra de Dickens, mas gostei da forma como Mr. Scrooge vai ficando mais molinho à medida que recebe as visitas dos fantasmas dos Natais passado, presente e futuro.
Profile Image for To-The-Point Reviews.
113 reviews100 followers
December 23, 2025
Gonzo explains how Michael Caine was really mean to Kermit until Waldorf and Statler made him change his ways. Classic Dickens.

Fozzie Bear was also involved.

Merry Christmas to one and all.
Profile Image for Arghavan-紫荆.
330 reviews77 followers
January 13, 2023
چه حسی داره که توی سال ۱۸۴۳ زندگی کنی، ده روز به کریسمس باقی مونده باشه و این کتاب رو که برای اولین بار منتشر شده بخونی...؟
-----------------
انیمیشنی که دیزنی ازین داستان ساخته رو پیشنهاد میکنم، کاملا به داستان وفاداره و خوش‌ساخت هم هست.
Profile Image for Mike (the Paladin).
3,148 reviews2,161 followers
December 8, 2013
While I don't hold 100% with the theology (nor disagree either) I love this book...for that matter I love at least one of the movies (the Alastair Sim version titled Scrooge). While the entire story is wonderful the redemption/repentance scenes alone are worth the "freight", so to speak.

The story is undoubtedly familiar to you but give it a read if you've only been exposed to it through movies. I think everyone probably re-looks at Christmas and life at the same time they experience it with Scrooge. While I wouldn't call myself a Dickens fan this is one of his best efforts (that's my opinion for what it's worth).
Profile Image for Kingofmusic.
269 reviews52 followers
December 21, 2023
Vom Geizhals zum Menschenfreund in 126 Seiten - wenn es doch nur so einfach wäre...Wunderbare Geschichte, deren jährliche Lektüre wohl nun zur "Pflicht" wird 😂.
Profile Image for Alan Tomkins.
364 reviews91 followers
December 24, 2022
"I will honor 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. Heaven and Christmas Time be praised for this!" So said Ebenezer Scrooge at the end of this beautifully written story, and so say I after reading it. I agree with countless others that it would be a joyous and edifying practice to read this classic tale every year at Christmas.
Profile Image for Kristy Miller.
469 reviews89 followers
December 25, 2020
There is nothing any review of mine can add to the reputation of A Christmas Carol. I read it every year, and listen to the recording by Patrick Stewart every Christmas Eve.
But I am sad, because as I finished it today I read about the final version of the GOP tax plan. Sadly, I do not think any of the Republicans will have a Scrooge-like enlightenment before they cut taxes on the rich and corporations, and screw students and the middle and working classes.
Profile Image for Jennelle.
99 reviews180 followers
December 26, 2023
This was actually The Merry Beggers A Christmas Carol advent, it was like old days radio shows. It was a little piece of the story each day, usually about 8 minutes upon average . The different voices, the music, the sound effects….Fantastic!! Wish I could give ten stars. It was so good. I absolutely loved it.
Profile Image for Kelly.
201 reviews13 followers
December 19, 2023
Always a pure delight to read this wonderful story. We can all take away a lesson.
Profile Image for Mela.
2,011 reviews267 followers
October 24, 2017
Let's be honest, the story is totally classic. I don't believe that there are people in West culture who don't know the story (from book, a movie or at least from other people's summary). First, I watched a movie. Then another movie. I am not even sure if and when I read it in the past.

Listening it now, I admit, it is really good. Moreover, it is the story which each should know and remember in own heart. Charles Dickens wrote a perfect, wonderful Christmas story for everyone, children and adults.

Nonetheless, I admit also, that this time, I wasn't gripped as I hoped. Perhaps I knew it too well.

The version I was listening was good and engaging. I loved Andy Minter as Scrooge (by the by, Andy Minter was also Mr. Woodhouse in one of the version of Emma, and he was splendid in there also).
Profile Image for Theresa.
1,552 reviews44 followers
November 8, 2013
Obviously a classic, arguably the best Christmas story ever written. I have seen many different versions of this story and I've loved them all. I knew I would love this story and I did.
Profile Image for Haley Annabelle.
362 reviews187 followers
December 27, 2023
My favorite Dickens by far! There are so many witty sentences and paragraphs in here that you don’t get on your first read through. Of course, the lessons in here are unparalleled.
Profile Image for Court Schueller.
502 reviews3 followers
December 3, 2025
Name a more iconic Christmas book, I dare you.

So short and sweet. Might make it a yearly read! Gave the ultimate Christmas vibes. This one held up to the hype!

UPDATE: Year 2 and the book is even better! The more you read it, the more things you catch. Always gets me in the Christmassy spirit!

Edit again: Year 3 and it still hits just the same!! Such a great message, gets me into the Christmas spirit every time! 5 stars yet again :)

2024: Year 4 and I find something more from this story every time. So perfect to read after Small Things Like These too! Definitely in the Christmas spirit! And this year I used the free Levar Burton audiobook. SUCH a good one! Also movie night this coming week is Muppet’s Christmas Carol, perfect timing!
I can’t wait to be reading this every December to come :)

2025: In the year I’ve felt the Scroogiest, I’ve never needed this reread more. Still so beautifully timeless. I tried a different audiobook this year with sound effects and it was probably my favorite of all of them so far!
Profile Image for Abrar Alarjan.
495 reviews465 followers
November 22, 2017
نحن بكل تأكيد نملك أفضل مما قاله تشارلز في قصته هذه :
قال الذي لا ينطق عن الهوى نبينا محمد وعلى وسلم :
(تعس عبد الدرهم ،تعس عبد الدينار )
ربما تشارلز قال ما قاله في روايته مدفوعًا بما حدث في حياته،ولكنه لم يخرج أبدًا عن نطاق حديث خير البشر .

أنا لا أستغرب بأن اسم شخصيته العجوز البخيل (سكروج ) قد صارت مصطلحًا يقال لمن كان بمثل بخل الشخصية التي قام برسمها تشارلز . الشيء الجميل والمدهش أن أكسفورد حافظت كثيرًا على أحداث القصة من أولها إلى آخرها .والشيء الآخر كنتُ متوقعة بأن مادة الرواية سوف تكون صالحة لعمل سينمائي وبالفعل جُسدِت على هوليود أكثر من مرة وشاهدتُ بعد قراءتي لها نسخة والت ديزني باعتباري محبة ومولعة بالانميشين والياباني على وجه الخصوص لأنني أرى الأنميشين هو الأفضل لتجسيد أي عمل روائي من التمثيل الذي قد يفسد روعته.
Profile Image for Crina Bucur.
46 reviews82 followers
January 2, 2016
Dickens' Christmas Carol is not so much about the magic of Christmas as it is about its appeal to the everlasting longing of humanity for redemption and second chances. It hits too close to home if you're one who particularly fears regrets and the finality of things that were done, never to be undone.

The language is just slightly heavy for a Christmas story, but the lush descriptions manage to evoke the city of London in its past and set the proper mood, making it a really enjoyable parable about empathy, perspective and the simple joys in life.
Profile Image for Alyssa Kline.
16 reviews2 followers
December 17, 2022
It was fun to finally read the book since I've seen so many of the movies! This has also solidified my opinion that the Muppets is the best movie adaptation.
Profile Image for Sharon Loves to Read.
322 reviews101 followers
December 17, 2025
I read this because it was F&F’s book of the month, and reading it gives me extra points for the Point Game. I knew I wouldn’t like it, so I guess it’s unfair to give it a low rating, but I think Dickens is past caring.🤭

The beginning and last bit was ok, but I found it pretty boring throughout.
Profile Image for Ankit Saxena.
848 reviews236 followers
May 26, 2020
Nice illustration.

Illustration was nice in regard of how children going to accept it but to make it more real illustrators must kept in mind that the real character was English. So the face could have been created with well more clarity onto it. Rest it's too good for children to read such nice story in this way as to understand their way of life. And likewise-works can inspire children to read more when they grew up.
This book can be made part of academics for LKG & UKG students.
Profile Image for Sara.
163 reviews6 followers
December 20, 2023
It feels strange to rate such an iconic classic, but why not.

Shoutout to Dickens for having the woman leave because the man is a jerk, and not having the woman leaving be the excuse for WHY he is a jerk, which is such a common trope these days.

Also shoutout to Dickens for his commentary on the greedy wealthy, which is exactly as relevant now as then.
Even if you know this story backwards and forwards from all of the adaptations, the book is worth reading for the scathing takedowns of the 1%.
Profile Image for sumayyah.
351 reviews34 followers
December 14, 2020
(2ND time reading - 3 Stars - Assigned reading - listened to Audiobook with Ralph Cosham)
I feel like it becomes better every time I read it, slightly. Maybe I didn't really like it at first because I'm not a warm person? But . . .

I felt so connected to Scrooge,

in the beginning ;)


(1ST time reading - 2 Stars - Assigned Reading)

What can I say? Boring
Profile Image for Oneirosophos.
1,586 reviews73 followers
January 16, 2021
Μία καλή διασκευή, αν και έχει κάποια μεταφραστικά θέματα που εμποδίζουν τη ροή να κυλίσει όπως θα έπρεπε...
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