"Carol" tells the story of cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who despises the Christmas holiday and scorns all who celebrate it. But a visit from a series of supernatural beings forces him to reevaluate his attitude--and his life.

With this simple plot Dickens has created one of the enduring triumphs of world literature. It's a robust mix of humor, horror, and (most of all) hope, all leavened with a healthy dash of progressive social criticism. One thing I love about this book is that while it has a focus on a Christian holiday, Dickens puts forth a message that is truly universal; I can imagine this story resonating with people of any religious background, and also with more secular-oriented people.

This is a tale of greed, selfishness, regret, redemption, family, and community, and is enlivened by some of the most memorable characters ever created for English literature. Even if Dickens had never written another word, "A Christmas Carol" would still have, I believe, secured his place as one of the great figures of world literature.


Heartwarming conversion of a soul   December 11, 1998
 11 out of 14 found this review helpful

Charles Dickens writes this story in such detail that you almost believe you have just enjoyed Christmas dinner at the Cratchits home. The characters have so much depth. The made for t.v. or movie screen renditions do not truly depict what Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses with the three spirits that causes such a change in his outlook on life. Such as Scrooge's emotions being quickened by the past heartache in his childhood; seeing how his bad choices caused the hardening of his heart and how deeply it cost him in the end; seeing what could have been his to enjoy and then thinking it could still be his with the Spirit of Christmas Present only to find out the future does not hold any love or joy for him by the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come and instead his actions leave him robbed at death and no one left to grieve for him. Read the book to hear how this story was really written. Even if you have seen every Christmas Carol movie every made, the book will offer so many gold nuggets that you will think you are hearing it for the very first time. Pictures are beautifully detailed throughout the book. Excellent!!!


You must read the timeless classic A Christmas Carol   May 8, 1998
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Have you ever read A Christmas Carol? If not you must read this classic. Charles Dickens timeless classic, A Christmas Carol , will be read by many generations yet to come. One reason this book is read by millions, is its universal plot. The first reason that the plot is so good because of the wonderful setting. This book is in London during Christmas time during the Victorian Erie. It's about an old grumpy , cranky, great business, man named Ebenezer Scrooge; who hates all and is hated by all. When he is later visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, who tells Scrooge he will be visited by three different spirits. This novel is great to read to kids and for kids to read. This book will teach good values such as the importance of being generous. This book has many good examples of kindness like when Scrooges nephew, Fred, says Christmas is a "' kind forgiving charitable pleasant time'". It will also be a very enjoyable book to read during the holiday time of year. This book has a great English setting during Christmas in the 1800's, which will really boost your holiday spirit. This book often reminds us of our often forgotten past, which shocks the reader and keeps them hooked. This book explains many aspects of the Victorian Erie . For example when the author tells the reader of the greediness of some; Like when Scrooge says,"' If they rather die' said Scrooge,'then they better do it and decrease the surplus population.'" (11) referring to the poor. You can link many aspects of the book to the time period in which Charles Dickens lived and wrote. Like in 1838 the poor tried to get the write to vote but failed because of objection by the middle class . So you can see some of Dickens inspiration for the book. A Christmas Carol is a classic that has been read and enjoyed by many, and millions yet to come. This book has a great history and plot, combined it is great for kids as well as adults. So if you have not read this classic to your family you had better check your! pulse and start reading.


The best book about The True Yule Tide Spirit I ever read!   December 19, 1998
 7 out of 10 found this review helpful

If you have to choose the story among the Christmas stories I think you should have Ch.Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" among your finalists and many of us might find it as the final choice. Some characters of the story even expand the spheres of Christmas; in the first place we will probably mention Ebenezer Scrooge, who has inspired e.g. Walt Disney quite a lot. It might be that his feathered equivalent, even more prosperous than the (finally) good Ebenezer,is today better known than Dickens' original. One more reason to read the book! Among the rest I'll only mention "Tiny Tim", who has lent his name at least to a tasty species of minitomatoes. The author mixes cunningly facts concerning the social contrasts in 19th century England, rich owners and poor workers, with fictitious ghosts. The latter allow him to move in time, these moves are more related to personal and moral matters than to possible changes in the social frames. The social frames of the story are as well international as English, and they cover - mostly and luckily in a more lenient form - all the ages. The darkest time of the year might make it easier to believe in ghosts or at least accept easier the ones who do so? We can follow how Mr Scrooge's opinions about the members of his staff change, he realizes that he has got some duties towards the people working for him, not just rights to use their skills and time. A kind person is easy to deal with all the year around, one of the wonders of the Yule Tide is that quite a lot of the naughty ones start to behave themselves rather humanly, too. Stories like "A Christmas Carol" might not just bring the reader the right Christmas feeling, but also make some people to change their attitudes - at best not just till Boxing Day Eve but till the next Christmas!


Geoffrey Palmer IS Scrooge!...Delightful Audio Reading   October 8, 2004
 7 out of 16 found this review helpful

This review refers to the Unabridged Audio Cassettebook(Penguin Classics) of Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol", read by Geoffrey Palmer.

Gather the family around, and let Geoffrey Palmer, take you on a wonderful journey through time with his marvelous reading of "A Christmas Carol".

You know the story..... Ebenzer Scrooge is a bitter old man who "Will keep Christmas in my own way", which is not al all. People cringe when they see him coming. Dogs cower. But that is all about to change. He is visited by the ghost of his deceased partner, Jacob Marley, dragging the chains he has forged for himself in life, and learns that it is not too late for him. He can redeem himself!

Scrooge is visited by three more spirits that Christmas eve. His past, his present and his future. Each take him on a fantastick journey,through time and space, showing him how
his ways are wrong, and what will happen if he doesn't change.

Geoffrey Palmer("As Time Goes By") is a delight to listen to, as he transforms Scrooge from a bitter man to a caring human being. He is perfect at the subtle changes as Scrooge becomes humbled by the spirits, and then quite humorously becomes giddy with his new found appreciation of mankind. In the end we know that he changes not just so he can have a better after life, but because he really cares about life and humanity.

Palmer captures the mood and depth of Scrooge, the era, and all the characters, giving just the right inflections and tones to bring them to life.

This is a two cassette book, running a little over 3 hours in total time. Packaged nicely with an outer cardboard box and an inner plastic double cassette case. The quality is very nice. The sound is great, very clear. Listen to it in your car, on your walkman, or put it on the stereo Christmas Eve for some family fun.

Because there are so many versions of this wonderful story, with all the reviews together, I am including the ISBN number for you, if this unabridged audio reading is the one you are interested in....0140861785. Just put it in the product search and it will take you to the right page.

also available on CD:A Christmas Carol

Highly recommended for you Holiday entertainment...enjoy...Laurie