Matt's Reviews > A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
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by
What a way to continue my annual Christmas reading...
If there is one story that is synonymous with Christmas, it would be Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. How I have gone so long in my life never having read this story, I do not know. I quite liked the movie from the early 1950s and always used that as my benchmark for what the story is all about, but chose to take the plunge and read Dickens’ actual words, yet another tradition that comes from the Victorian era.
As miserly Ebenezer Scrooge heads home late one Christmas Eve night, he is visited by the apparition of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, dead seven years. Marley’s apparition tells that Scrooge will be visited by three ghosts who will show him essential things that he needs to know.
While Scrooge scoffs at the entire process, he is startled when the first ghost appears to take him into the past. This experience shows Scrooge some of the events from his past and how he became the man he is today. A second ghost explores current decisions Scrooge has been making, including some of the most miserly choices he could have made. Quite startled by this point, Scrooge does not want the third visit, but must see life as it would be after his passing and how others will speak of him. This is enough to help bring about an epiphany for the elderly Ebenezer, who sees the world for what it could be. A Christmas classic that I will definitely add to my annual read list, this one is recommended for anyone eager to explore Christmas and its true meaning.
Many of my friends on Goodreads have read this book and are as astounded as me that I had never done so myself. I found myself enthralled from the opening sentences and remained captivated throughout. I will admit that I chose to let the stellar voice of Tim Curry guide me through the Audible version of this tale, which brought the experience to life for me and will be used each December, of that I can be sure. Dickens is a master storyteller and many renditions of this story have emerged over the years, all of which have their own spin on the story. The themes that come up as Scrooge explores his life are sensational and there is little about which any reader could complain. Divided into five distinct staves, Dickens pulls the reader in and keeps their attention until the final sentence, never letting things lose momentum. I can only hope to find more exciting tales in the years to come, to add to my December collection.
Kudos, Mr. Dickens, for a stunning story that touches the heart of each reader in its own way.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
If there is one story that is synonymous with Christmas, it would be Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. How I have gone so long in my life never having read this story, I do not know. I quite liked the movie from the early 1950s and always used that as my benchmark for what the story is all about, but chose to take the plunge and read Dickens’ actual words, yet another tradition that comes from the Victorian era.
As miserly Ebenezer Scrooge heads home late one Christmas Eve night, he is visited by the apparition of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, dead seven years. Marley’s apparition tells that Scrooge will be visited by three ghosts who will show him essential things that he needs to know.
While Scrooge scoffs at the entire process, he is startled when the first ghost appears to take him into the past. This experience shows Scrooge some of the events from his past and how he became the man he is today. A second ghost explores current decisions Scrooge has been making, including some of the most miserly choices he could have made. Quite startled by this point, Scrooge does not want the third visit, but must see life as it would be after his passing and how others will speak of him. This is enough to help bring about an epiphany for the elderly Ebenezer, who sees the world for what it could be. A Christmas classic that I will definitely add to my annual read list, this one is recommended for anyone eager to explore Christmas and its true meaning.
Many of my friends on Goodreads have read this book and are as astounded as me that I had never done so myself. I found myself enthralled from the opening sentences and remained captivated throughout. I will admit that I chose to let the stellar voice of Tim Curry guide me through the Audible version of this tale, which brought the experience to life for me and will be used each December, of that I can be sure. Dickens is a master storyteller and many renditions of this story have emerged over the years, all of which have their own spin on the story. The themes that come up as Scrooge explores his life are sensational and there is little about which any reader could complain. Divided into five distinct staves, Dickens pulls the reader in and keeps their attention until the final sentence, never letting things lose momentum. I can only hope to find more exciting tales in the years to come, to add to my December collection.
Kudos, Mr. Dickens, for a stunning story that touches the heart of each reader in its own way.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
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Reading Progress
December 17, 2019
– Shelved
December 17, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
December 17, 2019
– Shelved as:
audiobook
December 18, 2019
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Started Reading
December 18, 2019
–
Finished Reading
December 14, 2020
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Started Reading
December 14, 2020
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Finished Reading
December 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
December 19, 2021
–
Started Reading
December 19, 2021
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Finished Reading
December 1, 2022
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Started Reading
December 1, 2022
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Finished Reading
December 12, 2023
–
Started Reading
December 12, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-27 of 27 (27 new)
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Diane
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Dec 18, 2019 01:58PM
Great review, Matt
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Holy crap! How did I not know there was a Tim Curry narrated version?! I may have to seek this one out instead of the lame one I found at my library lol.
Thanks for the stellar review Matt!
Thanks for the stellar review Matt!
You're a braver man than I Gungadin. I'm not good with many of the classics. I've tried to read Dickens (Bleak House admittedly) but couldn't get past the turgid prose at the beginning and soon chucked it in. Same with Tolstoy. It just made my eyes glaze over. Now there's a thought, some of these books might help cure my insomnia.
Pat wrote: "You're a braver man than I Gungadin. I'm not good with many of the classics. I've tried to read Dickens (Bleak House admittedly) but couldn't get past the turgid prose at the beginning and soon chu..."
Thanks, Pat. I do suggest an audio version by Tim Curry. It may help with this one.
Thanks, Pat. I do suggest an audio version by Tim Curry. It may help with this one.
Matt wrote: "Pat wrote: "You're a braver man than I Gungadin. I'm not good with many of the classics. I've tried to read Dickens (Bleak House admittedly) but couldn't get past the turgid prose at the beginning ..."
I was thinking the same thing.
I was thinking the same thing.
I love this story. And now, thanks to your review, I see there is an audio version with Tim Curry?! I can’t wait to check that out next December. Tim Curry is magical.
I’m so glad you read and loved this and we’re properly rewarded for your wait. Excellent review, Matt. 🎄🎄🎄
Kat (Books are Comfort Food) wrote: "I’m so glad you read and loved this and we’re properly rewarded for your wait. Excellent review, Matt. 🎄🎄🎄"
Thanks, Kat!
Thanks, Kat!
I don’t think I can read this too many times, or see the many different movie versions!! Merry Christmas!
Heidi wrote: "I don’t think I can read this too many times, or see the many different movie versions!! Merry Christmas!"
Thanks, Heidi. Merry Christmas to you as well!
Thanks, Heidi. Merry Christmas to you as well!
Excellent review, Matt. I will have to check out the audiobook version. That sounds like an excellent addition to my holiday traditions.
Allison wrote: "Excellent review, Matt. I will have to check out the audiobook version. That sounds like an excellent addition to my holiday traditions."
Thanks, Allison!
Thanks, Allison!