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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
It's become a sort of tradition with me to read A Christmas Carol every year during the holidays. Ever since the first time I read it, probably back in 2012 or so, I've found the story incredibly moving and heartfelt. Perhaps because the story is so simple, it lends itself well to rereadings and constant adaptations. There is something utterly pleasant and charming about the clear, concise redemption of Ebeneezer Scrooge.
Charles Dickens, I've found, is at his best when he's not padding his word count to up his paycheck, and A Christmas Carol may be one of the best examples of this principle he ever produced. Though short, it's fully as moving as his longer novels based around the same themes, perhaps moreso. In such a short story, Dickens only has time to focus on one main character instead of the many that can tend to bog down his longer books.
Too, A Christmas Carol doesn't make any apologies for what it is, doesn't try to hide that it's a morality tale, a tale of virtue and redemption, a ghost story bent to an ethical purpose. The themes of taking care of those less fortunate is built so obviously into the plot that it almost becomes incidental. It's very easy to see how Dickens, with this particular novella, set the tone of Christmas and the surrounding festivities for centuries into the future.
Charles Dickens, I've found, is at his best when he's not padding his word count to up his paycheck, and A Christmas Carol may be one of the best examples of this principle he ever produced. Though short, it's fully as moving as his longer novels based around the same themes, perhaps moreso. In such a short story, Dickens only has time to focus on one main character instead of the many that can tend to bog down his longer books.
Too, A Christmas Carol doesn't make any apologies for what it is, doesn't try to hide that it's a morality tale, a tale of virtue and redemption, a ghost story bent to an ethical purpose. The themes of taking care of those less fortunate is built so obviously into the plot that it almost becomes incidental. It's very easy to see how Dickens, with this particular novella, set the tone of Christmas and the surrounding festivities for centuries into the future.
My favorite Christmas story. This was excellent.
There were about three moments when I was amused. My dislike of Dickens continues.
Gracias a la visita de tres espectros navideños ( pasado, presente y futuro) el avaro Ebenezer Scrooge recorrerá momentos de su vida y conocerá la vida real de sus allegados y tras una visión de su muerte en soledad, despertará la mañana de Navidad convertido en un nuevo hombre, dispuesto a celebrar y ayudar al prójimo y vivir manteniendo el espíritu navideño durante todo el año!
I love Dickens, and I love a bargain, so when Audible offered me a Jim Dale reading of this story free as a Christmas thank you, I jumped at it . . . Perfect listening for the week before C'mas vacation, thought I.
Well. It's one weird little story. It opens with a long "conversation" between the cricket on the hearth and the tea kettle. Honest. Then we meet the family who lives in the house: little Dot (whose real name is Mary) ad her (in modern eyes, creepily) older husband. . . . and, luckily, Tilly Slowboy the mentally deficient housemaid and the baby, about both of whom we get some great Dickens humor to leaven the schmaltz that drips from this little offering. There is an evil(ish) toy manufacturer, a saintly father, an angelic blind girl, a nearly undeveloped fiancee, a missing brother. . . lots of spirits of family and goodness and the like. Still, towards the ends Dickens manages to wring the old heartstrings, as he usually does, but I did miss the wry humor and control of his best writing (Great Expectations; Nicholas Nickleby; Christmas Carol). Not a good introduction to his work, but it was interesting to hear anyway.
Well. It's one weird little story. It opens with a long "conversation" between the cricket on the hearth and the tea kettle. Honest. Then we meet the family who lives in the house: little Dot (whose real name is Mary) ad her (in modern eyes, creepily) older husband. . . . and, luckily, Tilly Slowboy the mentally deficient housemaid and the baby, about both of whom we get some great Dickens humor to leaven the schmaltz that drips from this little offering. There is an evil(ish) toy manufacturer, a saintly father, an angelic blind girl, a nearly undeveloped fiancee, a missing brother. . . lots of spirits of family and goodness and the like. Still, towards the ends Dickens manages to wring the old heartstrings, as he usually does, but I did miss the wry humor and control of his best writing (Great Expectations; Nicholas Nickleby; Christmas Carol). Not a good introduction to his work, but it was interesting to hear anyway.
Nice moralising tales. Helpful visitations (haha).
Whenever I think of A Christmas Carol, I remember the rendition we performed in my childhood church: an adaptation for an evangelical audience titled "A Christian's Carol." I played Young Scrooge, who mocked his friend Sarah's invitations to Sunday School, you see. As you can imagine, the adaptation made very loose work of its narrative changes to fit an altar call near the conclusion.
5/5stars
The OG heart warming Christmas story - so cute and iconic
The OG heart warming Christmas story - so cute and iconic
Read aloud with my kids, I think this might become a Christmas tradition.