lucym80's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
louiselee3396's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wanderlustlover's review
2.0
DNF
I have attempted to listen to/read this book several times across two years, and sadly I'm going to have to let it swim off into that great blue yonder unfinished.
I have attempted to listen to/read this book several times across two years, and sadly I'm going to have to let it swim off into that great blue yonder unfinished.
carringtonshaw's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This bittersweet Christmas story by Dickens did not have the same heart and warmth one might expect after reading <i>A Christmas Carol</i>. The characters are not as vibrant and colorful, making the plot less charming. But it is a good story nonetheless, with a good message about not condemning (or "Putting Down", as this story would say) the poor for their lot in life. And the characters still have their quirks. I liked Trotty, and the antagonists were fun to hate. In ways I can't identify, the story kept reminding me of <i>It's a Wonderful Life</i>. And while it was not as charming as <i>A Christmas Carol</i>, it still had a touching ending.
It was evident that Dickens was being paid by the word, but I really don't mind that at all because his prose is charming and lyrical, and great fun to read aloud!
It was evident that Dickens was being paid by the word, but I really don't mind that at all because his prose is charming and lyrical, and great fun to read aloud!
eleanor_rose's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elizabooks's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
canada_matt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Most people equate Charles Dickens and Christmas with his popular story, A Christmas Carol. However, in the years that followed its publication, Dickens penned another story about the holiday season and ghostly apparitions. This is that story, which I thought would be a good thing to try during the holiday season. Dickens pulls on the ghoul factor in this piece, which seeks to portray a deeper message for his readers, and which resonates, if you pardon the pun, quite well.
Toby "Trotty" Veck, is a working-class man who has become dispirited with his lowly caste in life. He feels that his family is poor, not only because they cannot gather enough money, but also his unworthiness of having anything special. This extends to a disbelief in the common person and Trotty finds himself ending another year in woe.
On New Year’s Eve, Trotty is visited by a number of spirits, speaking through the local church bell, who try to put things in perspective. Trotty is sure that all has befallen him because of a higher plan. The spirits wish to show him that it is the choices people make that push them in one direction or the other, something that Trotty will have to come to terms with if he is to enter the following year with any sense of hope. Buried throughout the story is a set of life lessons for the reader to enjoy, which Dickens makes clear will help formulate a happier person during the holiday season.
While I would not be telling the truth if I said that I enjoyed this novella as much as the classic holiday piece that Dickens made famous. That being said, I can see the themes woven into the narrative, which builds through four strong chapters. The narrative flows and takes the reason on many interesting journeys before presenting an epiphany for the reader to enjoy. Using the spirts once again Dickens shows how sometimes people need being from other realms to see what is before their own faces. Some wonderful writing and remarkable themes that many will likely want to synthesise at their own pace to see if they mean anything.
Kudos, Mr. Dickens, for a great piece to add to my holiday reading collection.
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jowmy4's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
poisonenvy's review
3.0
This is more of a New Years book than the Christmas book I was expecting, but ah well.
This book starts off strong. It's a delightful, tongue-in-cheek satire that points out the absurdity of the rich who claim to be "Friends and Fathers" of the poor while actively working against the poors' best interest. It points out their hypocrisies (such as accusing Trotter of taking tripe from the mouths of those poorer than him while literally eating the last of the tripe on Trotter's plate), and I thought I was in for a treat.
Around the third quarter it just becomes a massive mess. It's hard to follow - I felt sure sometimes that I had skipped passages, and went back and read the section three or four times to realize I hadn't missed anything - and muddled. It becomes melodramatic and overly tragic, and everything good about the first half of the book is lacking in the second half.
I can see why I'd never heard of this novella before haha.
This book starts off strong. It's a delightful, tongue-in-cheek satire that points out the absurdity of the rich who claim to be "Friends and Fathers" of the poor while actively working against the poors' best interest. It points out their hypocrisies (such as accusing Trotter of taking tripe from the mouths of those poorer than him while literally eating the last of the tripe on Trotter's plate), and I thought I was in for a treat.
Around the third quarter it just becomes a massive mess. It's hard to follow - I felt sure sometimes that I had skipped passages, and went back and read the section three or four times to realize I hadn't missed anything - and muddled. It becomes melodramatic and overly tragic, and everything good about the first half of the book is lacking in the second half.
I can see why I'd never heard of this novella before haha.