A beloved Christmas classic fully deserving of its reputation and popularity. Dickens inserts himself as narrator from time to time, not intrusively but subtly, lending a 'storytelling' quality to the tale. While not quite a 'ghost story' as such, the otherworldly nature of Scrooge's adventures makes this storytelling quality particularly appropriate. It feels like a story that should be told to wide-eyed children in front of a crackling fire after a big meal.

For Dickens, Christmas is about generosity, joy, and showing kindness to your fellow man. None of which are bad things in the least. However, any sense of Christmas's more explicitly religious foundations is utterly missing. The story is still moving, and I still choke up a bit at the idea of Tiny Tim's passing, and when Scrooge lavishes his wealth on friends and family--to their utter consternation. In fact, it almost makes me wish I'd been more miserly, so that I could see such a reaction to my change of heart. There is something extremely touching in this kind of generosity--it moves us. But it's not the whole story of Christmas, not by a long shot. Then again, it doesn't have to be, provided that parents remind their children and themselves that Christmas is more than just a reminder of the benefits of kindness and prodigality.

This latest version--an audiobook narrated by Simon Vance--is a decent enough production. As I've mentioned, the tale works remarkably well as an oral presentation. Vance does a good job with it, though I think there have probably been better versions. Tim Curry, Patrick Stewart, Basil Rathbone, Jim Dale, and Martin Jarvis are just a few of the notable names who've taken a crack at this classic, and I expect their narrations are all first rate.

There are some excellent film renditions as well--George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart are fairly well respected, though I've always been partial to A Muppet Christmas Carol (which preserves the present narrator in Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat) and Mickey's Christmas Carol. Then, too, Bill Murray's modern day take in Scrooged has its moments. I cannot speak to the Alistair Sim, Kelsey Grammar, Albert Finney, Henry Winkler, or Jim Carrey versions, having never seen them.

All in all, it's a great story, and you could do a lot worse than this audio version. At just under three hours, you could probably get through the whole thing in an evening, and it would make a nice break from Christmas music during holiday baking or gift-wrapping or what-have-you.

ADDENDUM: If you're looking for a quick listen, Neil Gaiman's dramatic reading of this story is excellent. No surprise there.

God bless us everyone. Grade: A

Yeah. So. This read is the result of my stupidity. I accidentally requested a CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK from the library rather than the actual novel itself. This is the result of this dumbass pandemic going on.

Regardless, it was nice to read and the pictures were done very well.

Timeless Christmas fable. Beautifully Written. A true classic indeed.

The traditional story which has come to change the way Christmas and the Christmas festivities are celebrated in Britain. This story has great meaning for many, particularly in the run-up to Christmas as people often wish to become the best versions of themselves. I particularly enjoyed reading this story of a man’s change of heart and character, both for the best of himself and others also.

Note- didn’t read the abridged version of A Christmas Carol, but I read the original as part of a broader collection.

I LOVED A Christmas Carol as a young child. Every Christmas, it was THE movie I had to watch. And not the Muppets, either. I wanted the nitty gritty, black and white, Christmas redemption story served like plain black coffee (promise I’m not this insufferable in real life) and I wouldn’t take anything else.

The short story/novella, which I read for the first time this year, proves how closely the movie follows the original story. And since I loved the movie, it’s no wonder why I loved the written story. It was so, so refreshing to read on Christmas Day, short and sweet and delightfully humorous and uplifting.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

old cranky man gets exposure therapy from ghosts

Una bonita historia navideña que todos deberíamos leer (y se termina en un santiamén). Quería más detalles de Scrooge al final, pero aun así estoy satisfecha