A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens

Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean and miserly old man, who seems incorrigible, even on the eve of Christmas: he snubs a dinner invitation from his hospitable nephew, acts stingy with his poor employee, and even shouts at charity workers!What happens when Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his dead best friend and business partner, who has a terrifying warning for him? Will Scrooge have a change of heart this time around?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wonder House Books
• Release date: Jul 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9789390183272

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer and social critic. Regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, Dickens had a prolific collection of works including fifteen novels, five novellas, and hundreds of short stories and articles. The term “cliffhanger endings” was created because of his practice of ending his serial short stories with drama and suspense. Dickens’ political and social beliefs heavily shaped his literary work. He argued against capitalist beliefs, and advocated for children’s rights, education, and other social reforms. Dickens advocacy for such causes is apparent in his empathetic portrayal of lower classes in his famous works, such as The Christmas Carol and Hard Times.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Ebenezer Scrooge

There was no doubt about the fact that Marley was dead. His burial papers had been signed by Scrooge, as well as the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourner. So, Marley was as dead as a door nail. I don’t quite agree with that expression though. I feel a coffin nail is closer to death than a common door nail; but how can I challenge the erudite scholars of the English language who have coined that simile! Anyway, it is important for my readers to understand that Marley was surely dead, otherwise the wonder in this story will be lost.

Imagine if the readers of Hamlet had not been told right at the onset that Hamlet’s father was dead. They would have found nothing remarkable about the fact that Hamlet saw his father walking on the castle’s ramparts one night. That is why I repeat over and over again, so that there is no confusion regarding the fact that Marley was dead.

Scrooge and Marley had been business partners for many years. Their names ‘Scrooge and Marley’ appeared on the door of their warehouse. Scrooge had never bothered to erase Marley’s name from the signage even after his friend had passed away many years ago. Sometimes people mistakenly called Scrooge by Marley’s name, but that didn’t seem to bother Scrooge, who replied to both names without batting an eyelid. Scrooge was Marley’s only friend, only mourner and the only executor of his will. Yet, he was not unduly aggrieved by Marley’s death. In fact, even with Marley’s funeral proceedings, Scrooge had managed to get a bargain.

Scrooge was a mean and miserable old man. He was greedy, rapacious, possessive and selfish. He yearned for more and more. There was not one generous bone in his body. He was secretive and introverted. He hated the company of others and preferred to be alone. Whatever little conversations were inevitable were also usually negative. His icy countenance was similar to the cold season during which the events of this story take place.

Actually, the changes in season had no effect on his moods, as his temperament was colder than the most bitter and chilly winds. He had a pointed nose, shriveled features, red eyes and thin blue lips. No person ever stopped him on the road with a cheery greeting like, ‘Hello Scrooge! How are you doing?’ The children never ran near him to wish him or ask him the time, and no beggar ever strayed close to him to ask him for money. The dogs helping blind people would hide from him thinking, ‘It is better to have a blind master than an evil one.’

Scrooge was not worried about his unpleasant reputation in the least. He felt happier when there were lesser people around him. It worked better for him when there were fewer people near him and less people talked to him. He felt people were always asking for things and he would loathe to give them anything. People on the road thought he was mad to walk around muttering to himself and not answering anybody or looking up at anybody.

One day, on Christmas Eve, he was busy in his office. It was bitterly cold and foggy that day. Scrooge could hear people outside his office, wheezing as they walked. There was a biting wind blowing and the fog was creeping through every crack and keyhole. People were stamping their feet on the pavement stones and could be seen rubbing their hands vigorously, trying to keep themselves warm. It was already dark outside, although it was only three in the afternoon. It was so foggy that although the area outside his office was not large, the houses opposite seemed ghostly. It had been dark and dull the entire day and candles could be seen in every shop and establishment.

The door of Scrooge’s counting-house was open so that he could keep an eye on his clerk, who was sitting in a small, bleak, cold room beyond, copying letters. There was a small fire in Scrooge’s room, while the fire in the clerk’s room was so tiny it looked like a single piece of coal. Scrooge refused to give him more coal. The scanty flame he had was of no use and the poor man had to wear his comforter and tried warming himself with his candle.

Chapter 2

Scrooge’s Nephew Comes Calling

All of a sudden, Scrooge was greeted by a cheerful voice. ‘Hello Uncle!’ said the voice. ‘A Merry Christmas to you!’ It was Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, who appeared all of a sudden at the door.

‘Hah!’ exclaimed Scrooge. ‘Stop all this false talk!’

Scrooge’s nephew had walked so fast through the frost and the fog, that he looked warm and his face shone. He was flushed and handsome and his eyes twinkled as he stood before Scrooge. He said, ‘Christmas is false? You surely don’t mean that, do you, Uncle?’

‘What do you mean by Merry Christmas? What is so merry about it? You are so poor, you have nothing to be merry about!’

‘Well, then,’ said Fred. ‘You are rich enough, Uncle. You should be very merry indeed.’

Scrooge said crossly, ‘Hah! Rubbish!’

‘Come on, Uncle,’ said Fred. ‘Why are you always so angry?’

‘What else should I be? I live in a world full of fools! What does Christmas mean to you? It is a time to pay a whole load of bills when you can hardly afford to, a time when you find you are a year older but not wealthier. If I had my way, every silly person who goes about saying Merry Christmas would be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.’

‘Please don’t talk like this, Uncle.’

‘Stop, nephew. You can go celebrating Christmas your own way and let me celebrate it my way.’

‘Celebrate?!’ repeated Scrooge’s nephew. ‘But that’s the point! You don’t celebrate Christmas at all!’

‘Whatever I do, please let me be. You may go and celebrate to your heart’s content, as if it will do you any good. As if it has ever done you any good!’

‘Uncle, there are many experiences which may not have made me richer, but have brought a lot of happiness for me. Christmas is one such time, I feel. It is a time, apart from prayer and celebration, of warmth, good cheer, giving, sharing and kindness. It is a time of charity, when usually tight-fisted people get a chance to redeem themselves and give generously to people below them. It is a time when all people treat each other equally as that is how God sees us. So, Uncle, though this time of the year has not made me make more money, it has made me happier and giving.’

The clerk from the room next door, listening to this little speech, couldn’t help clapping his hands and then, realising that it was not proper for him to do so, quickly poked at the fire with such gusto that it went totally out.

‘If I hear another sound from you, you will surely be unemployed, mister!’ yelled Scrooge, and then turning to his nephew he said, ‘That was quite a speech. You should be in parliament, not here.’

‘Oh please, don’t be cross Uncle. Come and have dinner at my place tomorrow.’

Scrooge replied, ‘No, indeed I will not.’

‘But why? Why won’t you come?’ cried his nephew.

‘Why did you get married?’ asked Scrooge.

‘Well, I fell in love.’

‘Hah!’ was Scrooge’s reply.

‘No, Uncle, don’t use my marriage as an excuse for not coming. You never came even when I was unmarried.’

‘Good afternoon,’ said Scrooge dismissively.

‘I want nothing from you and I never take anything from you. Yet, you shun my company! Why can’t we be friends!’

When Scrooge refused to budge, the nephew said sadly but politely, ‘Since you are so determined to avoid me, I shall bid you goodbye. I don’t wish to quarrel with you, especially during Christmas, when it would go against its very spirit to do so. So, I will keep my Christmas humor intact. But may you have a Merry Christmas.’

‘Good afternoon,’ was all Scrooge had to say.

‘A Happy New Year to you Uncle!’

The only reply he got was, ‘Good afternoon.’

Scrooge’s nephew left without a single angry word. He stopped at the outer room to greet the clerk, who, though far colder than Scrooge, was way warmer in his manners. He returned the greetings cordially too. Scrooge grumbled to himself, ‘There is another fool if there ever was one. He hardly earns enough money but has a wife and children to provide for and must be going about saying Merry Christmas too.’

Chapter 3

Scrooge is a Miser

on Christmas Eve

As Scrooge’s nephew left, two other gentlemen walked inside the office. They were pleasant-faced, portly gentlemen carrying some papers

Reviews for A Christmas Carol

[andy5185 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Never gets old for me.

[leann-362203 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tim Curry is BRILLIANT!!! That.is.all!

[books9n9pickles · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm amazed how much of the Muppet movie came directly from the book, including scenes I thought were too ridiculous to be real! There are also a few Symbolic and Allegorical scenes that just wouldn't float in a modern adaptation. Still, good fun, and I'm glad I finally read the original.

[bcrowl399 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've read this book a few times. I always like to read it at Christmas.

[weateallthepi-681576 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read this one every year though I don’t tend to add books I know I’ve read plenty.

This time round it was the audiobook read by Tim Curry which I’d give a four star I think. Remarkably understated performance for Tim Curry which is probably why I enjoyed it. Still looking for the perfect audio version but this is pretty good and thankfully the character voices weren’t ridiculously over the top.

[bookappeal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every time I read it, I discover something new. Beyond its inspiring message, it’s just darn funny.

[amcheri-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story and great narration! A Christmas Carol has been on my TBR list for more years than I can remember but I just never got around to it. I've seen various productions on TV or in movies but never read the actual story.

Audible gave away the version with Tim Curry doing the narration, last year I believe, but still I didn't listen. It took a good friend mentioning that she was listening to it yesterday to get me going. Well, that and the fact that I still need five books for my annual challenge and this was short.

I loved it. Tim Curry did a fantastic job and I even found myself tearing up three times. Yes, I'm PMSing but still...

[wanderlustlover_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

2013, January -- No entry


2015 -- Audio Book Reading by Neil Gaiman

A favorite habit of mine is to read this book every year at Christmas. I got lucky this year and Neil Gaiman read it to me, flush with all of Dicken's own personal notes for how the piece was best performed to audiences.

[othemts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Over the course of December, I've participated in an online book club called A Dickens December where Charles Dickens' classic story of Christmas redemption was released in short chunks for each day up until December 26.  I am, like most people in the English-speaking world (and beyond), very familiar with the story of the greedy and self-interested old Ebeneezer Scrooge who is transformed by spirits of the Past, Present, and Yet to Come.  Not only have I seen this story adapted into several films, but also I participated in two different stage productions in my childhood!And yet this is the first time I've actually read the book.  The adaptations tend to get it right, adding embellishments more than leaving anything out.  The big thing about reading the book though is seeing Dickens way with words.  I've included several of my favorite passages below that show Dickens' talent with a turn of the phrase.  As always it's nice to revisit something familiar and see it in a new light.Favorite Passages: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.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 ancient tower of a church, whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge out of a Gothic window in the wall, became invisible, and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds, with tremulous vibrations afterwards, as if its teeth were chattering in its frozen head up there.Scrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels, but he had never believed it until now.You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

The sky was gloomy, and the shortest streets were choked up with a dingy mist, half thawed, half frozen, whose heavier particles descended in a shower of sooty atoms, as if all the chimneys in Great Britain had, by one consent, caught fire, and were blazing away to their dear hearts' content. There was nothing very cheerful in the climate or the town, and yet was there an air of cheerfulness abroad that the clearest summer air and brightest summer sun might have endeavoured to diffuse in vain.

They are Man's," said the Spirit, looking down upon them. "And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware of them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!"He broke down all at once. He couldn't help it. If he could have helped it, he and his child would have been farther apart, perhaps, than they were.Really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh. The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs!Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and, knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

[iudita_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It isn't Christmas without a bit of Dickens and this audio edition narrated by Hugh Grant was just excellent.

[sheila1957 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My annual reading of A Christmas Carol. I always enjoy watching Scrooge change his ways. This time I picked up some new things that Scrooge says and does. Didn't expect that after all these years of reading it. Worth reading. The Christmas season would not be complete without reading this.

[lycomayflower · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An annual reread, these past two years done out loud with the husbeast. One of my most favoritest Christmas traditions and one of my most favorite of favoritest books, actually. Never, ever grows old, and always brings a smile. Some of the best descriptions of food, crowds, the city, and parties I've ever read here. And, of course, brilliant on Christmas. A delight.

[booknookretreat7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a classic Christmas story!

It has been a very long time since I read the book and I wish I had re-read it before now. I am sure everyone knows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, so I will not go into a long drawn out review. However, I will say this: it is better to be a giving spirit than to be a "scrooge" as having the spirit of Christmas makes you feel better as a person.

Loved this book once again and I will have to make it a Christmas tradition to read it every year from now on. Five "Christmas" stars!

[rosands-494665 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the book. Wonderful story.

[nordie_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the best-loved and most quoted stories of “the man who invented Christmas”—English writer Charles Dickens—A Christmas Carol debuted in 1843 and has touched millions of hearts since.

Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn’t like...and hardly a man he does. And he hates Christmas most of all. When Scrooge is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, he learns eternal lessons of charity, kindness, and goodwill.

Listened to as part of Craftlit podcast. This was actually 2010's Christmas book, but I've only got around to listening to it in full now. The book has pervaded so much of our definition of Christmas that it's actually good to go back to the original text and find out what was covered.

Heather, as an English Lit teacher, gives an excellent commentary over the various chapters and manages to give a little context around Dickens, how his upbringing could well have affected the writing of the book - eg Scrooge's attitude towards the poorhouse for instance, and why the Ghost throws it back in his face.

The Narrator (from Librivox I believe) was excellent and well suited to the story

[a.godhelm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For something that's had a thousand adaptations, the original holds up very well. Short and sweet and sentimental.

[jfe16 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Christmas may be just another day for avaricious Ebenezer Scrooge, but perhaps he’ll change his mind when the ghost of Jacob Marley, his former business partner [dead some seven years] comes to visit. If not, perhaps the three spirits of Christmas will bring about some changes.And, although his clerk, Bob Cratchit, has Christmas Day off, it was a grudgingly-granted concession from Scrooge to conform to social custom.Can Ebenezer change his greedy, selfish ways or is his fate already decided?=========This novella, originally published in December 1843, has never been out of print. Themes of the narrative concern redemption, change, and kindness. In the unfolding story, the author also addresses the treatment of the poor, especially children. Tiny Tim, evoking sympathy with the reader, provides a platform for the author to speak to the need for charity without alienating his audience.Widely translated, adapted for both the screen and the stage, the classic story is timeless; here readers can appreciate the author’s eloquent tale of kindness. Dickens advocated family gatherings, a special meal, and generosity of spirit as the focus for Christmas, all of which remain part of the celebration of the season. With its focus on the true spirit of the holiday, readers will find much to appreciate here.Highly recommended.

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I reread a Christmas Carol with the holidays poised to start, for me the first thought of the holiday's always begins with the Macy's Parade. Anyway while reading I came to Negus and being unfamiliar with the word,I just had to look it up and found the following recipe.


from Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management, originally published in 1861:

1835. INGREDIENTS - To every pint of port wine allow 1 quart of boiling water, 1/4 lb. of sugar, 1 lemon, grated nutmeg to taste

.Mode.—As this beverage is more usually drunk at children’s parties than at any other, the wine need not be very old or expensive for the purpose, a new fruity wine answering very well for it. Put the wine into a jug, rub some lumps of sugar(equal to 1/4 lb.) on the lemon-rind until all the yellow part of the skin is absorbed, then squeeze the juice, and strain it. Add the sugar and lemon-juice to the port wine, with the grated nutmeg;pour over it the boiling water, cover the jug, and, when the beverage has cooled a little, it will be fit for use. Negus may also be made of sherry, or any other sweet white wine, but is more usually made of port than of any other beverage.Sufficient—Allow 1 pint of wine, with the other ingredients in proportion, for a party of 9 or 10 children.

Kids most have had some wicked hangovers, wine always used to give me a splitting headache if drunk in quantity.

[caseybp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The classic book presented as it originally was. The story of deep humanity is my annual favorite read.

[comfypants · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A wealthy, uncaring man is haunted by Christmas spirits.3/4 (Good)It's become kind of redundant. The Muppet version is extremely faithful to the book, while the book does not, technically, have any Muppets in it.

[kittycunningh-815148 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the best thing Dickens ever wrote. It shows that it was the only thing that he wrote because he wanted to tell the story instead of getting paid by the word.

[gypsysmom_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't know what to say about this classic. Everyone knows the story--they've watched the movies, listened to the radio broadcasts, seen the readings at a Christmas concert. But reading the actual text is a joy in itself. Dickens can craft a sentence like no other.

[darthdeverell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella A Christmas Carol tells the now-world famous story of three ghosts haunting elderly miser Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve in order to teach him the value of charity and helping his fellow men. The story captures many Victorian Christmas traditions, in particular the tradition of telling ghost stories. The success of this work led Dickens to return to Christmas-themed stories several times, including The Chimes in 1844, The Cricket on the Hearth in 1845, The Battle of Life in 1846, and The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain in 1848. The story further linked Christmas with humanitarianism, combining traditional celebrations with charity and reconciliation. To this day, Dickens’ examination of class consciousness and economic disparity remains significant and timely. This Barnes & Noble leatherbound edition features gilt-edged pages and John Leech’s original illustrations for the 1843 edition. The red leather and gilt pages resemble the first edition from 19 December 1843 while the block-printed designs on the cover convey the spirit, to use a pun, of the work. It makes for a lovely gift.

[lara335 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A charming story re-read on Christmas Eve. Bah Humbug Scrooge is visited by the Spirits of his past, present & possible future, then wakes in delight realising he isn’t dead but has more life to make amends and spread compassion & happiness.As relevant in these COVID times as it has always been .

[darcia_10 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Christmas Carol is a classic that makes my eyes do that weird leaking thing every time.I loved listening to the story on audio. Simon Prebble does a masterful job on the narration. I was told a story; I experienced it.While this is a Christmas story, it's one whose message we should carry with us each day of the year.

[quondame · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What struck me was how playful the narrator is at the beginning of the story, engaging us when Scrooge is so unengaging, and being less obvious the more Scrooge takes up his own redemption, realizing to his own positive feelings first, then opening his eyes to others and then recoiling at the horror of what he's become to connect to good feelings. But there is the little narratorial glint in the final paragraph: "He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterward."

[kristykay22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I finished this book today and then found out that it was published on this day exactly back in 1843. A Christmas miracle! I really thought I had read this before, but I think I had only read a children's version and (of course) seen about a billion adaptations and parodies. Nothing is quite the same as Dickens, though. His pacing, his descriptiveness, and his humor just can't be beat. The final chapter where Scrooge is SO HAPPY to have a chance to turn his life around was just perfect and the three ghosts are truly chilling -- this could be a Halloween/Christmas crossover story for sure. If you haven't read the original before, pick it up this season -- it is a quick, comforting, and entertaining read.One of my bookclubs is reading Dickens' The Cricket on the Hearth for our next read, which is the third of his five Christmas novellas (A Christmas Carol is the first). I had no idea there were more! In honor of the Christmas season and my love for Dickens, I've decided to read all five, so stay tuned for more Christmasy reviews.

[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!

[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.

[helenliz_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I can't quite believe that I've not read this before, but I think this is the first time I've read it (and seeing as I listened to it, you could argue I've still not read it!). It is a story that has been on screen so many times that you can't not know it. My personal favourite being the Muppet version with Michael Caine as Scrooge, which actually is remarkably faithful to the original. What they miss is all the description that Dickens packs into this small volume. It takes a good 20% for Scrooge to even meet the ghost of Marley that sets up the three further encounters. I was stuck by the fact that noth the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present are described in detail, where as the Ghost of Christmas yet to come is barely described at all. In the midst of all the description, it's a noticable omission. The scenes presented by the third ghost are really very dark, particularly when he discovers his own future fate. The final section, on Christmas day, has a roller coaster feel about it, as if you're carrering towards a conclusion and he's running out of words to do so. It's all a bit breathless, especially after the dismal previous chapter. Excellent and I will continue to enjoy the Muppet's version with all the good will that the season can offer.