A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

[Janet]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/Bagpuss/Bagpuss_Books%202007/030-2007-Dec-29-AChristmasCarol.jpg

The ‘blurb’
Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly old skinflint. He hates everyone, especially Children. But at Christmas three ghosts come to visit him, scare him into mending his ways and he finds, as he celebrates with Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and their family, that geniality brings its own reward.

This finest of all Christmas stories is beautifully illustrated with Arthur Rackham’s superb line drawings (this bit refers to my specific edition - others vary).

A Christmas Carol is one of my all-time favourite stories (from the films, that is, as this is the first Dickens book I’ve ever read!) so I thought it was high time I gave the book a go.

It didn’t disappoint. The story is so wonderful - so clever and the prose is excellent. I’ve heard people say that Dickens is too ‘wordy. Well, I don’t know whether it’s just that this book is so short, or that I’m so familiar with the story that I didn’t notice, but I didn’t find it rambling at all.

Having now read the book, I think the truest adaptation I’ve seen is the one with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge, although the Alistair Sim one is probably my favourite. The Albert Finney musical one is great too!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will make a point of reading it again another Christmas. There are a couple of hardbacked versions - one illustrated by Quentin Blake - that I have my eye on now!

I’m definitely going to try some more Dickens after reading this!

The paperback is just 147 pages long and is published by Wordsworth. The ISBN number is 978-1853261213.

10/10
(Read December 2007)

[Gyre]

Brilliant review Janet, I have always wanted to read 'A Christmas Carol' but never got round to it, but you have inspired me to read it x

[Janet]

Goodo! :D Oh do - you won't regret it! And it's only short too, which is a bonus!

[Kylie]

Nice review, Janet :mrgreen:

I absolutely love this book and was hoping to read it before/during Christmas but I just ran out of time :cry:

I love Dicken's writing style - it really makes this book such a joy to read!

[princessponti]

Great review Janet! I normally read this book before Christmas, but like Kylie, I ran out of time (..I may slot it in next week though as it makes me unhappy that I haven't read it!).

I was talking about this book with a colleague today in particular with regards to the film adaptations. For me, strange as it may sound, I find the Muppets Christmas Carol closest to the book. I feell that the sets, and the characters themselves really are faithful to Dickins vision (in particular the ghost of Christmas present)...bearing in mind that I haven't read it for a year. My colleague heartily disagreed saying that the Alistair Sim one was more faithful (which I haven't seen). Do you think the Alistair Sim one is faithful to the book, or did they just make a good interpretation of it? Particularly, I'm thinking of Dickins' light humour. I'm interested to know your thoughts!

[Sofia]

This may possibly be the only book I will read more than once

[kernow_reader]

I *love* Charles Dicken's novels. Such adorable, charming and delightful diction. And his depiction is wonderful! He really brings his characters and happenings to life. I read a Christmas Carol every year. I have an old, prized - by me anyway :) hardback edition illustrated by Arthur Ransome. Other faves of mine are Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities.

[Stephanie2008]

I really want to read this. I have seen numerous film versions of the book (with Muppets Christmas Carol being my favourite) and would love to read the book. I once read Oliver Twist and enjoyed the book a lot more than the film and tv adaptations (although the BBC version last year was quite good).

[Nici76]

I requested this on Book Mooch a couple of days ago! :D

[Janet]

Stephanie - if you've seen the films then you'll love the book!

I haven't seen the Muppet one (sorry, but I can't bring myself to watch puppets in such a great story) but the films I have seen (Alastair Simm, Albert Finney, Jean Luc-Picard (can't remember the actors name!) are exactly the same as the book (apart from the songs in the Finney one! :p ) :)

[Stephanie2008]

Stephanie - if you've seen the films then you'll love the book!

I haven't seen the Muppet one (sorry, but I can't bring myself to watch puppets in such a great story) but the films I have seen (Alastair Simm, Albert Finney, Jean Luc-Picard (can't remember the actors name!) are exactly the same as the book (apart from the songs in the Finney one! :p ) :)

The muppet one is rather unique. I have watched it every year on chrismas eve since I was tiny so it's more for sentimental value rather than the story. I think I'll read this around christmas time.

[Michelle]

I love the muppet one.. especially the carol-singing rabbit! :D

[Stephanie2008]

I love the muppet one.. especially the carol-singing rabbit! :D

Yeah!! He's great. It's very lighthearted and fun (but kind of eerie at the same time - the ghost of christmas yet to come is scary).

[Kylie]

Looks like a few of us will be reading it at Christmas this year. :D Maybe we should make it a reading circle choice (or a separate 'mini' circle read as it's fairly short). All this talk has made me excited to read it again. Bring on December!

[Nici76]

That's a good idea Kylie! :D

[Wonders disciple]

I have this on my Christmas wish list. I just love the story of Scrooge, must have watched at least 10 different film adaptations and love them all.

[Vince]

I think the best film version has to Scroged with Bill Murray

[Kell]

Looks like a few of us will be reading it at Christmas this year. :D Maybe we should make it a reading circle choice (or a separate 'mini' circle read as it's fairly short). All this talk has made me excited to read it again. Bring on December!
Surprise! As announced in the most recent newsletter, this will indeed be our December Reading Circle choice thiis year! :readingtwo:

[Kylie]

Hooray! :clapping:

I'll have to track down the Muppet's version to watch as well. And I have fond memories of watching The Jetson's version of it as well. I'd love to see that again.