The Christmas Stories of Charles Dickens

by Charles Dickens

Everybody knows A Christmas Carol, but the prolific Charles Dickens wrote several other holiday tales. Here, Dreamscape Media has compiled a collection of Dickens' classic Christmas stories. Stories included are: A Christmas Tree; What Christmas is as we Grow Older; The Poor Relation's Story; The Child's Story; The Schoolboy's Story; Nobody's Story.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Classics, Audiobook, Short Stories, Holiday

1 pages, Audio CD

Published October 1, 2013

About the author

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)

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is certainly a reason why these "other" Dickens Christmas stories are largely forgotten.

[Jason Koivu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why do ghost stories get mixed with tales of Christmas so often? I get the A Christmas Carol thing, what with the ghosts there to remind humans to be civil. But why the random spookiness of these other holiday horror stories? Anywhoodle, it's Dickens, it's good stuff.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of these “stories” felt like essays. I was quite bored. The only story that I liked was “The Schoolboy’s Story”. It was the second to last story.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I liked listening to stories written directly from the perspective of a particular time period.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoy Charles Dickens and his gift for words. This is a collection of short stories, and while Dickens' ability to write about characters and situations with subtle wit always shines, some of these stories were a little tedious for me, and a few were a little strange. My favorite stories of the bunch were the first and last; his last included a tale of a 7 and 8 year old attempting elopement that was delightful. His first story included a detailed and entertaining description of all of the presents on a Christmas tree, and it was fun to see how similar the gifts of his time were to the gifts still given to children today.

[Helga Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of Dickens stories was not of the caliber of “A Christmas Carol” and “The Cricket on the Hearth” and “Chimes”. These stories were a little tedious and some were strange. “A Christmas Tree” detailed descriptions of all the presents on a Christmas tree and stories surrounding them. But of interest were how some similar gifts of his time were gifts still given today. This was one of the more interesting stories in the collection.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is misleading somewhat. Only the first story had a distinct Christmas telling or tone. The others after seem to be ghost/death stories with little reference to Christmas except What Christmas Is. The settings may have the use of Christmas as a word, but nothing of the jolly trimmings of Chtistmases.I did find them somewhat enjoyable. Just the following of the language and seeming scenery of England christmas times was worth the listen.

[Wendy Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a typical Christmas books. Themes ghost and death.

[Jenny Aggen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very little Christmas involved in any of these short stories. Found my mind wandering throughout the whole book.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly ghost stories....not really much Christmas in them.

[Melissa Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know that I would really classify all of these stories as Christmas stories. There are Christmas stories, ghost stories, and just random sad stories. I love A Christmas Carol but these stories just all felt too random to me.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some rather more obscure Christmas stories from Dickens - some I found rather obscurely Christmas. He still had an amazing way with words and worth the listen nonetheless!

[Vanessa Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't blown away by these stories. In part though, listening while doing other activities is difficult with Charles Dickens because his writing requires more attention than I was giving it.

[Veronica Freeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickens, what is not to love? Christmas stories written by a master craftsman.

[Christine Bialaszewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I think of in regards to Christmas stories…

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like narrative essays than short stories

[Michaela Willbanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda boring not gonna lie

[Debbie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite story is still A Christmas Carol!

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't love this book. Maybe I'll give it a try next year. 2 Stars