A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens

The story of a miser’s transformation, and the most beloved Christmas novel of all time.
 
An immediate bestseller in the mid-nineteenth century and praised by the Illustrated London News for its “playful and sparkling humor [and] gentle spirit of humanity,” Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol has remained continuously in print for more than one hundred years, a cherished part of the holiday season for millions of readers.
 
The novel follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a rich man who has no patience for the merriment of the holidays and prefers counting his money to counting his blessings . . . until a series of spectral visitors awaken the Christmas spirit in his heart. Both a spine-tingling ghost story and a historical portrait of poverty and greed in Victorian England,  A Christmas Carol is a delightful classic for readers young and old.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Media
• Release date: Mar 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781504061643

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born in 1812 and grew up in poverty. This experience influenced ‘Oliver Twist’, the second of his fourteen major novels, which first appeared in 1837. When he died in 1870, he was buried in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey as an indication of his huge popularity as a novelist, which endures to this day.

Book preview

Stave One

Marley’s Ghost

Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it: and Scrooge’s name was good upon ’Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

Mind! I don’t mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a door-nail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country’s done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

Scrooge knew he was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and he were partners for I don’t know how many years. Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner. And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event, but that he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised it with an undoubted bargain.

The mention of Marley’s funeral brings me back to the point I started from. There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet’s Father died before the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable in his taking a stroll at night, in an easterly wind, upon his own ramparts, than there would be in any other middle-aged gentleman rashly turning out after dark in a breezy spot—say Saint Paul’s Churchyard for instance—literally to astonish his son’s weak mind.

Scrooge never painted out Old Marley’s name. There it stood, years afterwards, above the warehouse door: Scrooge and Marley. The firm was known as Scrooge and Marley. Sometimes people new to the business called Scrooge Scrooge, and sometimes Marley, but he answered to both names. It was all the same to him.

Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas.

External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. Foul weather didn’t know where to have him. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. They often came down handsomely, and Scrooge never did.

Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me? No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o’clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blind men’s dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they said, No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!

But what did Scrooge care! It was the very thing he liked. To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call nuts to Scrooge.

Once upon a time—of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve—old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal: and he could hear the people in the court outside, go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts, and stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them. The city clocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already—it had not been light all day—and candles were flaring in the windows of the neighbouring offices, like ruddy smears upon the palpable brown air. The fog came pouring in at every chink and keyhole, and was so dense without, that although the court was of the narrowest, the houses opposite were mere phantoms. To see the dingy cloud come drooping down, obscuring everything, one might have thought that Nature lived hard by, and was brewing on a large scale.

The door of Scrooge’s counting-house was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank, was copying letters. Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk’s fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. But he couldn’t replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so surely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of a strong imagination, he failed.

A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you! cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he had of his approach.

Bah! said Scrooge, Humbug!

He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this nephew of Scrooge’s, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked again.

Christmas a humbug, uncle! said Scrooge’s nephew. You don’t mean that, I am sure?

I do, said Scrooge. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.

Come, then, returned the nephew gaily. What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.

Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said, Bah! again; and followed it up with Humbug.

Don’t be cross, uncle! said the nephew.

What else can I be, returned the uncle, when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas! What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in’em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you? If I could work my will, said Scrooge indignantly, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!

Uncle! pleaded the nephew.

Nephew! returned the uncle sternly, keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine.

Keep it! repeated Scrooge’s nephew. But you don’t keep it.

Let me leave it alone, then, said Scrooge. Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done you!

There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say, returned the nephew. "Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below

Reviews for A Christmas Carol

[tshrope · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jim Dale reads this audio version of the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, and does a fantastic job of it! Dale is the master narrator of the Harry Potter books and brings all of his character skills and perfect inflections to this reading too. Don’t miss listening to this version; it’s better than reading it yourself, and almost as good as the Muppet movie version!

[therebelprince · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The 8th of Dickens' 24 major works, and the 1st of his 5 "Christmas novellas".... well, this is just wonderful, isn't it? Next to the characters of Oliver Twist, Scrooge and his ghosts - not to mention that little brat Tim - must be the most well-known Dickensians of our cultural consciousness. This is just first-class stuff, showcasing Dickens' skill for shorter fiction. Scrooge is perhaps Dickens' first real character. No, he's no Emma Bovary, I'll admit. But the short bursts we get of his life, combined with the ultimate causes of his change, give more insight than we saw in Oliver, Nicholas, Nell, and Barnaby. I think every person in the Western world has read this novella but, if you haven't, what are you waiting for? (The other four Christmas novellas... yeah, not so much.)

[annalovesbooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

ISBN 1550660012 - An adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale from Amoco (yes, the oil company) and Madison Marketing Unlimited. One of a series of four, including Good King Wenceslas, The Snow Queen and Mole's Christmas Welcome. Since I collect Christmas books, I'm always happy to find another one. Ebenezer Scrooge is a terrible miser who works his clerk, Bob Cratchit, very hard. Even on Christmas Eve, the seventh anniversary of the death of Jacob Marley, Scrooge's partner, Cratchit sits at his desk in the cold, working - because Scrooge has no Christmas spirit whatsoever. At home that night, Marley appears to Scrooge and warns him of what will happen to him if he doesn't change his ways. Marley says three spirits will visit him and Scrooge should listen to them. One after another, the spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come visit, showing Scrooge the error of his ways. He awakes in the morning, thrilled to not have missed Christmas, and begins to change by doing an anonymous good deed for the Cratchit family.It is difficult, as an adult, to fairly review a book like this. I've spent decades seeing movies and books of this story, ranging from absolutely fantastic to cringe-worthy. I know the details of the original and see immediately what is lacking (his nephew, his interaction with the Cratchits, etc). This book isn't for me, or the other parents who know the story; it is for the very young reader (ages 3-6) who won't know the original and so won't miss the missing details. For them, it is probably a better book than it is to me. The (uncredited) illustrations are okay, but not the sort I'd think would appeal to kids. The last page contains a bit of information about Dickens, which I found to be a nice touch but again, unlikely to appeal to kids. Not the best kids' edition of this classic.- AnnaLovesBooks

[krissa_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked it. I like the language. It made me slow down and appreciate it. I knew the story, but I was surprised at how much I didn’t know (mostly little things). It was what I would class as a comfort read. I don’t think I would read it every year (but I don’t tend to read books twice) but I will definitely be reading more Dickens.

[p_s_patrick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If all the best qualities were taken from each of the various TV and film versions, and combined together, then that is roughly what we get in the original book. Scrooge’s sarcastic wit, miserliness, and meanness, the door-knocker turning into Marley’s face, the biting cold winter, the merriment of Fezziwig’s ball, Tiny Tim, the classic Christmas traditions, the fantastic spirits, and the ending we all know and love.As a short story of only 90 pages it works very well. Some of Dickens’s writings can be a bit over-detailed and redundant, however this is relatively compact for him, and achieves the impact, the atmosphere, and the character development that sometimes take him a lot longer in other works. Deserving of its central place in the Christmas season.

[laurabrook_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great! Darker than I thought it would be, and I liked it better for that very reason. Reading this may very well be a new Christmas tradition!

[ganeshaka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My uncle sat me down one Christmas eve past - me, a restless pre-teen brat - and made me take turns with him, reading this book aloud. "Kinda BO-ring and hokey," I thought, "It's Christmas time, I get it." But my uncle had been a sailor. He knew about messages in bottles thrown from ships at sea. Fifty years later, I recall this incident with tears. And somewhere, adrift in The Ether, Dickens nudges my uncle, points at me and winks.

[anneofia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This particular edition of Dickens' 1843 Christmas story is as much about illustration as it is about the story. The full title tells you this: "Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: With 45 Lost Gustave Dore engravings..." The book includes a number of fascinating introductory pages about both Dickens and Dore. The lost engravings were done in 1861. The book also includes an additional 130 illustrations - the work of artists who did the original illustrations for other Dickins' books; such as George Cruikshank and H.K. "Phizz" Browne, This is an intriguing look at illustration in the Victorian era - the well-illustrated story is a bonus!

[pa0ro · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a book that a man who did not like a chrismas day and very cold person change to a very kind person.Tree goust help him to change.I thought to be kind person is very important thing. so I want to be a kind person.

[auntieknickers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lovely pictures grace this large-format edition of the classic.

[h3athrow_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the edition of "A Christmas Carol" that I've owned since I was 5 or 6 years old, but the information via Amazon is incorrect. Author: Rh Value Publishing? Published: 1984? I believe this edition was published in 1978 or so, and the author is, of course, Charles Dickens. I got my copy in 1979, when I was six, and I've read it almost every single Christmas Eve since then. The illustrations -- black and white, as well as color plates -- by Arthur Rackham are lovely. And the story is nearly perfect. Every year, I get something new out of the book, discovering a new detail or realizing a new nuance of meaning. This book doesn't so much persuade or remind the reader to be a good person -- chances are, if you're reading it, you've already got no little good in you. Rather, it gives one hope against hope that the assholes and evildoers in the world might act a little less like assholes and evildoers in the next year. Just maybe. We need all the hope we can get these days.

[matthewp3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was an ok book. It was about Scrooge who was a lonely mean bossy old man, who no one liked. One day he gets a visit by one of his dead worker, and he warned him that Scrooge is going to be visited by three ghost. The ghost of Chirstmas Past, Present, and Future. After meeting with all the ghosts they changed his life. He started to be nicer and be more giving.

[arbaon · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A classic that should be read by all. Won't bore you by going into the story but suffice to say the book is better than the film (although Patrick Stewart tops the adaptation list) in that it gives you a real understanding of Scrooge's misery! Hated the first 2-3 pages (how long does it take to say MARLEY IS DEAD!) but once past that the rest if a breeze. Very short novella worth putting on your list for December 2008 if you want to squeeze a quick one in!

[jfslone · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A classic tale of human values and morality, set in the midst of everyone's favorite holiday season. Dickens manages to weave a tale that speaks to those of every generation and location. It's a quick read, but don't be fooled, it's jam-packed with heartfelt emotion and wonderful language.

[snapplechick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Scrooge has lost the meaning of Christmas in his search for success. When his dearly departed buisness partner comes and tells him that he when he dies he will walk the earth forever in chains, Scrooge is scared out of his wits, but still skeptical. Then the tree ghosts of Christmas come and show Scrooge the real meaning of Christmas. This classic Christmas story is to be loved by all and a treasured book in everyone's collection. It show us the warmth of Christmas and has valuable lessons.This book will give you something to thik about all year long.

[millsslave · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Christmas Carol is a classic Christmas tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his four ghostly visitors (his partner Marley and the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future). Scrooge begins as a grumpy, uncharitable soul;however, one Christmas Eve he is visited by three ghosts who show him the error of his ways by bringing him to the homes of those less fortunate than himself (such as Tinny Tim). I enjoy this novel because not only is it a classic (and I do enjoy classics) but I also like the idea Dickens trys to transgress that even those who are uncharitable and insensitive can be converted into a being who cares and shows compassion for others.

[katie_h_11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I haven't been in the Christmas spirit this year, so I decided to re-read this to see if it would help, and I'm happy to say that it did! Most people are familiar with this heartwarming story, but I'll recap anyway. Ebeneezer Scrooge, known by all to be an insensitive miser, is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley. Jacob shares his misery and regrets with Scrooge and introduces three additional visitors: Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present, and Ghost of Christmas Future. The ghosts take Scrooge on a field trip, illustrating how events will unfold if he does not change his ways. Dickens is an amazing writer - his characters are rich, his humor is contagious, and many authors have attempted to imitate his prose. This is THE classic Christmas tale, capturing what the holiday is all about. It's a short novella, weighing in under 100 pages, so if you haven't read it yet, there's still time before Christmas. (First read: Dec 15, 1988)

[briandarvell_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A greater classic of literature and Christmas there is not. This novel is a terrific story on the benefits of improving your character and taking into consideration all those around you. The story was a quick and joyful read that also happened to be the first time I have read this well-known classic. Although, I knew the story quite well through the various televised versions one finds every year I was still surprised to notice many scenes which I had never witnessed in the filmed productions.I am happy to now say that I have read the story and been retold that people of all ages and of all wealths can always do more to improve their method of treating others. Using a period of great festiveness such as Christmas can be a terrific starting point to be conscience in aiding and helping others when you have something to spare. Oftentimes, a person doesn't realize their fault at mistreating their friends or families and very much regret their actions later in life. This is a very tragic and unfortunate occurrence which I am sure all would like to avoid. This story emits beautifully the true meanings of family, friends and Christmas which now are sometimes lost in the materialistic and commercial acquiring frenzy that Christmas often has a tendency to be. Just another example why Dickens, despite claims that this story was a simple potboiler story for him to pay debts, is still among the greatest authors of the English language. Other than Santa Claus, few are as memorable and well-known with regard to Christmas as that of the irritable and miserly Scrooge.

[cynfrank · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous unabridged reading. I'll listen to it every Christmas. Makes a great gift.

[books_ofa_feather · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book for the first time last year and I'm astounded. I wish I had read this book years ago. Dickens is a phenomenal author. Every year at Christmas we watch every version of A Christmas Carol we can possible find.

[librarylou · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is one of Dickens best stories, and is immortalised in A Muppet Christmas Carol, which I insist everyone watch every Christmas!

[ellenmarine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Definitely my favourite work by Dickens; probably due to a combination of The Muppets' Christmas Carol and a love of Christmas in general.In any instance, it's an awesome book, and especially good if read in December ^_^

[sluggo_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The illustrations by Ronald Searle in this edition are as much or more a part of my mental Christmas landscape as the film version with Alistair Sim.

[creyola_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The imagery Dickens creates in this novel is wonderful. The face in the door knocker, the visions of Marley and the ghosts are details with so few, yet powerful words, that Dickens puts a strong and vibrant image in my head each time I read this book. This is a great classic that I read every year one week before Christmas.

[drewandlori · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This has to be the single most beaten-to-death story of all time, but even after a million TV remakes, the book still holds up surprisingly well.

[bexaplex · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Illustrations by Everett Shinn are a bit weird; his Scrooge looks like an evil elf.

[edgeworth_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Obviously I meant to finish reading and review this before Christmas Eve, but I spent too many evenings drinking and on Christmas Eve itself I fell asleep watching Howl’s Moving Castle instead. So never mind that.But anyway! Christmas! Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of his most well-known and influential works, and indeed one of the most well-known and influential pieces of literature in the human canon. We all know how it goes. Even if we haven’t read it, we’ve picked up bits and pieces from the dozens of films and parodies and cartoons and retellings (if I have to think, probably the first version I remember is A Muppets Christmas Carol). Ebeneezer Scrooge is a miserly old rich man who sneers at the concept of Christmas, is visited by the ghost of his old business partner on Christmas Eve, is subsequently visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and learns to change his ways for the better. Timeless.I’ve been avoiding reading Dickens because he’s one of those authors you feel obligated to read, but whom you fear will also be dry and dull and tedious – I mean, he was born more than two hundred years ago. Apart from it being timely, I read A Christmas Carol because it’s slim, and if I hated it then I could at least say I’d read Dickens. I was pleasantly surprised to find his prose accessible and readable and even witty. “At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.” “Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge. “Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again. “And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they still in operation?” “They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could say they were not.” “The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?” said Scrooge. “Both very busy, sir.” “Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Scrooge. “I’m very glad to hear it.”Dickens’ literary legacy is obvious, but I was fascinated to learn that much of what we associate with a modern Christmas – feasting, merriment, family gatherings and generosity of spirit – is a relatively recent trend, as the holiday morphed from a purely religious observance in the early 19th century to something more broadly festive. It’s a stretch to say that Dickens invented modern Christmas, but the massive popularity of A Christmas Carol was certainly an enormous influence on it.I enjoyed A Christmas Carol quite a bit. It’s a charming, pleasant story about generosity, love for your fellow man, and redemption. It deserves its enduring, iconic status, and I’m relieved to find that Dickens is a relatively approachable writer. I’ll next read his first full novel, The Pickwick Papers.

[kelley.logan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an every Christmas classic.

[jlsimon7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having watched the movies based on this book since I was a child this book was purchased in order to read it to my children. It is of course a classic for a reason. The characters are engaging, the story absorbing, and it is in every way Charles Dickens.

[cynical_ames · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I actually read most of this fable whilst simultaneously watching the 1999 film adaptation with Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: Next Generation, X-Men).

I didn't realise until I read this that some of the humorous bits had passed me by in the adaptations and found myself laughing at Scrooge's
very uncharitable and gloomy nature, and later the reactions to his death.

My absolute favourite character was Scrooge's nephew and his persistent attempts to befriend his uncle, always offering an invitation to Christmas dinner every year. I loved his perceptiveness in observing and understanding Scrooge's behaviour (and taking it without offence). It was spot on.

Scrooge: "What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to merry? You're poor enough."
Nephew: "What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You're rich enough."
Scrooge: "Bah! Humbug!"

However, the narrative was very wordy so I did resort to skimming quite a bit of the descriptions to get to the good stuff i.e. the dialogue.

It was a good seasonal read to get me in to the spirit of Christmas. 'And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!'