Loquacious Readers.: REVIEW: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Title: A Christmas Carol
Author: Charles Dickens
Date Published: December 19, 1843
Genre: Ghost story, Morality tale, Novella, Parable, Social criticism,
Page Count: Unknown
Year Read: 2011

Goodreads: 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. Experience a true Victorian Christmas!

Review: Charles Dickens wrote an excellent novel when writing the Christmas Carol. I love the title... A Christmas Carol sounds like a happy christmas song, yet it's quiet the opposite. Dickens is very descriptive throughout the novel, setting the mood to each situation very nicely. It's just like watching the movie (Disney's A Christmas Carol)... but better... in my opinion.

I loved this novel, I expected it to have lots of big words and for it to be boring, for a classic (this is what I expect from every classic novel), but it was very intriguing till the last page.

Warning Contains spoilers:

I recommend you to pick up this novel and read it. I believe everyone already knows this popular tale... about a [old] man named Ebeneezer Scrooge. Who's dislike towards Christmas is a mystery to all. He hates everything about Christmas the joy, the laughter... He hates it PERIOD. He just wants to be alone on during this holiday. When his nephew wishes him Marry Christmas or asks him to come celebrate christmas with them... Scrooge just blows him off... He even denies giving a cent to charity...

Snipit:

``Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,'' returned the gentleman, ``a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?''

``Nothing!'' Scrooge replied.

``You wish to be anonymous?''

``I wish to be left alone,'' said Scrooge. ``Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.''

``Many can't go there; and many would rather die.''

``If they would rather die,'' said Scrooge, ``they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that.''

(A Christmas Carol, CH. 1 Marley's Ghost)

Scrooge dislikes wasting money, he is just a very mean man. Scrooge's Clerk Bob Cratchit is terrified to ask Scrooge for a day off, no matter how much Scrooge hates the holiday... he gives Cratchit the day off with the condition of coming early the next day. As Scrooge walks home to his hug empty house... no one crosses his way, which is how he likes it... Once he gets home he starts to hear noises and starts to see things ... this is where he sees Marley's Ghost his old partner whom has been died for seven years... who warns him of the consequences he will receive... if he doesn't turn his life around...

What makes this tale a great tale is how Dickens narrates it.. with his wonderfully descriptive language... allowing you to see what is going on... just pick up this book from your library... while Christmas is still around the corner...