A Christmas Carol

By Solana Cortez

I know, I am late in getting this out.  I have been finishing up my Christmas gifts and getting them all wrapped.  I didn't have time to sit down and read, much less write a review.  Now, the gifts are all wrapped and under the tree, and the cards are sent.  All I have left is making a cheesecake for Christmas dessert.

I sincerely hope everyone has finished their shopping and are taking these last few days to relax and enjoy the remainder of this holiday season.

The book I have chosen for your reading pleasure is another classic.  One that we've all seen on TV in some form or another.  I feel this story embraces the holiday spirit in the way it is meant to be embraced.  The story I am talking about is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Since everyone has seen some form of this story on TV, or has seen the latest version in the theatre (I, myself, have not had the chance yet), the basic plot is very familiar.

Summary:

Ebenezer Scrooge is a wealthy old man.  He's stingy and a penny pincher.  He's cold hearted and harbours no compassion for others.  Scrooge employs a single clerk, Bob Cratchit, and pays him a meagerly wage.

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by his dead partner, Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge of the condition of his soul.  Marley also warns Scrooge that he will be haunted by three spirits.  These spirits will take Scrooge on a journey through his past, present, and future.  This journey hopefully will end in Scrooge's redemption.

Highlights:

The Writing. 

The writing itself is amazing.  Charles Dickens weaves a wonderful tale.  He puts just enough detail to get the imagination running.

Fred Visits Scrooge.

Fred comes to call upon Scrooge at his office.  Fred is a kind, light hearted character.  He didn't inherit any of his uncle's miserlyness.  And Fred is the only person who does not cower before Scrooge, as is evident is this scene.  The reader can't help but smile at Fred's witty remarks.

Belle's Family.

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to see Belle.  Every movie has shown the breakup scene between Scrooge and Belle, but it's left at that.  Belle leaves the movie forever and isn't mentioned again.  Dickens does not do this however.  He shows the reader exactly what happens to Belle.  This is a powerful scene.  Scrooge see the life Belle has made for herself.  A life full of joy and contentment.  A life full of love, surrounded by children.  A life Scrooge could have shared with her.  This realization hits Scrooge so hard, he attacks the Ghost of Christmas Past.  And it's the glimpse into Belle's life that opens Scrooge up for a real transformation.

Ghost of Christmas Present.

This is my favorite spirit.  The Ghost of Christmas Present is so jovial.  It makes the reader want to spread a little Christmas Joy himself.

Bob Cratchit's Family.

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to see how his clerk lives.  Scrooge sees Tiny Tim for the first time and feels genuine compassion for the child.

Tiny Tim's Death.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge to see Tiny Tim's family mourning over the child's death.  This is a huge contrast to the unfeeling or happy way people are towards the unknown man's passing.

Recommendations:

This is a great story for anyone over the age of 10 years old to read on his own.  I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers merely because the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a bit creepy.  It's a great book for the family to read together.  And the story itself is not very long (only 114 pages).

Rating:

This story is timeless.  The theme never gets old.  And in the rush of the Christmas season, A Christmas Carol
is a great reminder of what's truly important.

A Christmas Carol rates a MUST READ AGAIN.

Until next time, happy reading.

And a very Merry Christmas.

Or as Tiny Tim would say, "God Bless Us, Every One!"