Christmas Books

I am not going to review the Charles Dickens novel 'A Christmas Carol' in this review. I did that already (see my other reviews to read that), and, of course, I gave it 5 stars.
What I'd like to comment on is the extra's this version brings. For instance, the original art work from the first edition by artist John Leech are here, placed where they were originally. There are also the actual 1843 and 1844 critics reviews in this book so one can see what was originally thought about this classic at the time of its release.
Author Richard Kelly gives his perspective on the reasoning behind Dickens writing this ghostly Christmas story - the why's and wherefore's of the characters and scenes, which, for me, gave a little more of an understanding of what may have been going through Mr. Dickens mind at the time.
Mr. Kelly also writes a bit on child labor, education, and the workhouse, which, again, opens the mind a bit more in reading this story.
There is also a chapter that has many writings by Dickens contemporaries, such as Washington Irving, and their own descriptions of Christmas in their time.
Believe it or not, there is quite a bit more in this book than what I've told you, including, of course, "Carol" itself. It makes a very interesting read and can help one to understand the purpose behind Dickens original classic, as well as of the times in which he wrote.
A lot to read at a very good price. There are many many versions of 'A Christmas Carol' available, but this one takes it a bit further than most.

I purchased this product to play in my english class. It went right along with the novel, kept the kids interested and was another teaching style to help the info. sink into their little brains.

165 years ago this week, Charles Dickens published what would become one of his most noteworthy and best-loved gifts to the world, "A Christmas Carol".
The illustrations Arthur Rackham made for this classic in 1915, with mostly lithe figures and spare coloring do great justice to the tale of an elderly miser, who, on the anniversary of his business partner's death on Christmas Eve, is forced to review his life, and is offered a final chance for redemption.
The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge could be viewed as an early novel of spiritual psychoanalysis.
After readers learn of Scrooge's character flaws--his stinginess, his cold-hearted attitude towards people, including a nephew and his wife, who are his only family--he is confronted by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, who, despite Scrooge's reluctance, shows him his long chain, explains its significance, and warns him to amend his ways.
Scrooge is visited by three spirits--the first being the child-like, white-haired Ghost of Christmas Past, who makes Scrooge retrace his steps in life, causing him to review a harsh and lonely childhood, which is tempered by consolation from his loving but ill-fated sister, Fan, his happier years as an apprentice to a man named Fezziwig, and finally, he recognizes how his singular pursuit of wealth at all costs resulted in the loss of his fiancee, Belle.
The Ghost of Christmas Present is the most joyous and festive of the apparitions.Sitting in a well-lit room at a table with a glorious bounty when he first encounters Scrooge, he escorts his elderly charge through London, where he sees the spirit of the season among the people, and visits the houses of his employee, Bob Cratchit, and that of his nephew, Fred. He learns of the plight of Cratchit's son, Tiny Tim, discovers how he is viewed in both households, is shown the impact of poverty among those whom he has the potential to help, and lastly warned about the consequences of Want and Ignorance.
The third spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, is the darkest, most foreboding of the phantoms. It is hooded, faceless, and silent as it shows the old man the possible future, pointing to significant details with a clammy hand as Scrooge realizes that he has reaped what he has sown.
Back in his bed at the end of a chilling night's journey, Scrooge sees the potential to be a better man than before. He has come to terms with his past, learns to rejoice in the present, and to create a better future for those around him.
Ebenezer...In Hebrew, the name means "Stone of Help", which may well be why Dickens chose it for one of his most famous characters.In the end, a formerly miserly old man does a fine job of becoming just that!

This is my favourite fairy tale of all time. And this edition is a keeper. Dickens was touched by the finger of God when he sat down to write this little book. And it seems like the drawings and illustrations are almost on every page. So many great pictures!!

10 Stars.

This review refers to the Unabridged Audio Edition - CD - (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 fantastic 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.

Listen to it in your car, or put it on the stereo Christmas Eve(or anytime) for some family fun.

Also available on cassette....Penguin Classics: A Christmas Carol.

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

I collect Airmont classics mostly for their covers. This has a great cover that brings me back to my childhood. Older copies of Airmont classics, though published in new York, were printed in Clinton Mass. I grew up two towns over.

The Christmas season wouldn't be complete without listening to this excellent book on tape. Miriam Margolyes is masterful at creating voices that make you forget the reader is a woman! I love this audiobook!

Don't let the Amazon Editorial review on this page confuse you or keep you from buying this product! That review is of some other product, not of the one listed here for sale.

The product listed here is a two-cassette, two-hour long BBC Radio Collection reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol, read by Martin Jarvis and Denise Briars. The editorial review (wrongly) posted here is for some other edition that sounds like it includes a picture book and a severely edited reading of the story.

This is an unabridged version of the Dickens classic. Not the best choice for kids--I'd go with the abridged Patrick Stewart version for that--but the reader/actor does a fantastic job on this full-length version.

This book is an abridged version of Charles Dickens' original. It is not only shorter, but parts of the language are modernized and therefore easier to understand. It contains all the major important events in the story and is full of illustrations that show a child what London looked like at the time the book was written. The captions of the photographs, drawings, and paintings also explain passages of the book, for example the story mentions an almshouse; the illustrations show what it looks like and explains who it was for and why. One of the characters works at a milliner; a drawing shows what a milliner's shop looked like, another shows a silk bonnet made in one of those stores. We see paintings of the streets of London, the clothing of poor and rich people, the food they ate (e.g. brawn), etc.

The illustrations and sidebars give children a much better understanding of the story and the time in which Dickens lived. I highly recommend this book for young readers.