"A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, and The Cricket on the Hearth," by Charles Dickens, is part of the "Barnes & Noble Classics"" "series, which offers...
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Jan 11, 2012
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress"
rated it: 
A Christmas Carol was wonderful. It was just like seeing the movie, but better, because prose on paper really stimulates the imagination much more. Scrooge is a man who had lost his hope, and it showed in how his heart seemed to shrink, and his world with it. He got a second chance when he was visited by the three ghosts on a cold Christmas Eve. Just like the movie, this story made me cry. I guess some would call me sentimental. I don't know if that's the right word. But I love to see a per
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Jan 11, 2012
Todd
rated it: 
I have always loved Dickens Christmas Carol, but have never read his trilogy of Christmas stories.
I did find them worthwhile, but not as intriguing as Christmas Carol itself.
The Chimes is slightly grim, but still has a good outcome(it is rather the typical beat them down then pull a good lesson out of it type of story)-thankfulness for what you are given and have, a good lesson.
And of course these stories are extremely time driven, so you have to think as if you were in that da More...
I did find them worthwhile, but not as intriguing as Christmas Carol itself.
The Chimes is slightly grim, but still has a good outcome(it is rather the typical beat them down then pull a good lesson out of it type of story)-thankfulness for what you are given and have, a good lesson.
And of course these stories are extremely time driven, so you have to think as if you were in that da More...
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Jan 11, 2012
Scott
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Being as it is near impossible to gauge the narrative strength of “A Christmas Carol”—the basic story and its many film and animated adaptations so ingrained in our culture—I still can’t help myself from wondering if “The Cricket on the Hearth” would not be an even more beloved holiday staple if only more people knew of it. “Cricket” was, after all, more beloved in Dickens’s own time. The narrative twists and beautifully written passages give ample reason why a 19th Century readership, if not
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Jan 11, 2012
Maranda
rated it:
This was my first Dickens novel. I know it is kind of cheesy to make my foray into Dickens’s work by reading A Christmas Carol during the holidays but hey…whatever helps break the ice right?
This book, as most people already know, is about a tight-fisted, bitter old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is visited one night by the ghost of his partner who has come to warn Scrooge of his fate in the afterworld and that Scrooge will face similar persecution in the afterlife if he does no More...
This book, as most people already know, is about a tight-fisted, bitter old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is visited one night by the ghost of his partner who has come to warn Scrooge of his fate in the afterworld and that Scrooge will face similar persecution in the afterlife if he does no More...
Jan 11, 2012
Tim
rated it:
I've read nine Dickens novels, but finally got around to reading his "Christmas Books." The unfortunate thing about reading "A Christmas Carol" is that its plot has been done to death visually. That takes some of the punch out of the story, we know so much of it already. Still, TV and movie versions often focus too much on the monetary miserliness of Scrooge and leave out some of the details of the ghosts' visits.
I expected my familiarity with the story to drag d More...
I expected my familiarity with the story to drag d More...
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Jan 11, 2012
Erika
rated it:
It is hard to give this book one overall rating, since it is three books in one. I have read A Christmas Carol before and think it is a must to read each Christmas season. I would give it 5 stars!
I am going to base my review on the book The Chimes. It is a New Year's Tale, so I thought it was fitting to read it in January. It is not a long book but it did take me several days to really get into it. Once I did, I finished it in one sitting.
It was sad to see how t More...
I am going to base my review on the book The Chimes. It is a New Year's Tale, so I thought it was fitting to read it in January. It is not a long book but it did take me several days to really get into it. Once I did, I finished it in one sitting.
It was sad to see how t More...
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Jan 11, 2012
Laurie
rated it:
So I read this book in attempt to tackle Charles Dickens again. The only other thing I have ever read by him was Great Expectations in the 9th grade. I didn't really like that book except for Miss Havisham. I thought she was kind of a cool, creepy character. I saw this book in Barnes and Noble and thought I would give him another shot. I mean, I was in the 9th grade. What 9th grader really loves Charles Dickens? I have always liked movies based on a Christmas Carol. The written story was pretty
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Jan 11, 2012
Samantha
rated it:
"From Scrooge’s “Bah!” and “Humbug!” to Tiny Tim’s “God bless us every one!” A Christmas Carol shines with warmth, kindness, and humility.But beneath its sentimental surface, A Christmas Carol offers another of Dickens’s sharply critical portraits of a brutal society and an inspiring celebration of the possibility of spiritual psychological and social change.
I would have to say that I enjoyed the last story the best: The Crickett on the Hearth.
At times, I struggled to comp More...
I would have to say that I enjoyed the last story the best: The Crickett on the Hearth.
At times, I struggled to comp More...
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Jan 11, 2012
Julie
rated it:
Between his books, I forget how much I love Dickens. I still can't remember if I've read "A Christmas Carol" before, but in any case I've just finished it for perhaps the first, perhaps the second time.
Now on to two stories I know I've never read.
***
"The Chimes" is a very odd story, and one where the point seems to be flying right over my head. It is compelling, though too long, and without the punchiness of "A Christmas Carol." More...
Now on to two stories I know I've never read.
***
"The Chimes" is a very odd story, and one where the point seems to be flying right over my head. It is compelling, though too long, and without the punchiness of "A Christmas Carol." More...
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Jan 11, 2012
Heather
rated it: 
Of course there is no possible way I could ever criticize this classic. However I would like to say that I love this book and I've hence learned a lot of Charles Dickens history, the reason for this particular piece, and his character through that of the nephew. If you've read this book and haven't learned anything then shame on you.
Also the character of Tiny Tim whom goes to church to remind everyone the reason for the season was that of Christ and the blessings he brings to all, even d More...
Also the character of Tiny Tim whom goes to church to remind everyone the reason for the season was that of Christ and the blessings he brings to all, even d More...
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Jan 11, 2012
Robin
rated it:
Of course a wonderful classic. I honestly can't find much wrong with it except Dickens is a little annoying with the interjections. He did this in all three stories. I know it's his method and type of writings. By the third book it was only half as annoying. Sometimes a bit too long with likening things you know the "such as" stuff. I didn't get all of the meaning of the chitt-chatt stuff. Maybe it's early English I don't get. The Chimes was weird I'm not sure I cared for that one too
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Jan 11, 2012
Clio
rated it:
The four stars that I have given this collection can be best attributed to the third and final story in it: The Cricket on the Hearth. While I rather enjoyed A Christmas Carol it didn't capture me the way the last story did. probably this has something to do with the fact that I already knew the story so well. Good about CC is that it has a nice parallel structure, that really simplifies the reading, cause let's face it Dickens isn't always entirely understandable. I really enjoyed the cncept be
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Jan 11, 2012
Katelyn
rated it:
This book has three stories in it: A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, and The Cricket on the Hearth.
I really enjoyed A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens was able to deliver a good story filled with some great moral lessons and characters readers can relate to in under 100 pages. I especially loved the ending after Scrooge made it back to the present because his good humor and excitement were infectious for me. Its great when a book can do that for its readers. I also liked all the undertone More...
I really enjoyed A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens was able to deliver a good story filled with some great moral lessons and characters readers can relate to in under 100 pages. I especially loved the ending after Scrooge made it back to the present because his good humor and excitement were infectious for me. Its great when a book can do that for its readers. I also liked all the undertone More...
Jan 11, 2012
Nerwen Elendil
rated it:
English Review:
I only read "A Christmas Carol" and began "The Chimes" (which I had to stop due to personal problems) but I was completely hooked by Dickens amazing and haunting Christmas story.
Sure we all know the plot of the three ghosts visiting Mr. Scrooge, and we've all seen plenty of movies concerning it, but there's nothing better than the original story.
Mr. Scrooge is an arrogant old man who hates Christmas and who hates sharing happiness and More...
I only read "A Christmas Carol" and began "The Chimes" (which I had to stop due to personal problems) but I was completely hooked by Dickens amazing and haunting Christmas story.
Sure we all know the plot of the three ghosts visiting Mr. Scrooge, and we've all seen plenty of movies concerning it, but there's nothing better than the original story.
Mr. Scrooge is an arrogant old man who hates Christmas and who hates sharing happiness and More...
Jan 11, 2012
Michele
rated it:
I gave 5 stars to this book just for A Christmas Carol. That story alone is reason enough to own this book. I'll break down my reviews of the separate stories below:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (5 STARS):
For the past few years, I've been making a point to read this every Christmas. Time after time, I am swept away in Dickens' language, re-reading certain sentences over and over becuase they are so beautifully constructed, I want to burn the image of the words into my eyes. Even though we More...
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (5 STARS):
For the past few years, I've been making a point to read this every Christmas. Time after time, I am swept away in Dickens' language, re-reading certain sentences over and over becuase they are so beautifully constructed, I want to burn the image of the words into my eyes. Even though we More...
Jan 11, 2012
Kate
rated it:
I've never been a fan of Dickens (*traumatizing flashback to high-school assigned reading of A Tale of Two Cities*), but I wanted to read this one because, well, it's Christmas, and who doesn't love A Christmas Carol?
I give A Christmas Carol 5 stars (*****). There's a reason it's a classic. We all know the story, so I won't go into it.
The Chimes only gets two (**). The story itself was too similar to A Christmas Carol, but not nearly as interesting or as well written (IMO More...
I give A Christmas Carol 5 stars (*****). There's a reason it's a classic. We all know the story, so I won't go into it.
The Chimes only gets two (**). The story itself was too similar to A Christmas Carol, but not nearly as interesting or as well written (IMO More...
Jan 11, 2012
Ryan
rated it:
Well I finally did it, I read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for the very first time in my life. Now like most people, this was a story I was already familiar with through the numerous film adaptations so the book didn't have any big surprises in store for me. I loved it anyway. It was like visiting an old friend you haven't seen in a while and rediscovering what made you friends to begin with.
I had forgotten how elegant of a writer Charles Dickens was, the words he chose More...
I had forgotten how elegant of a writer Charles Dickens was, the words he chose More...
Jan 11, 2012
Alex
rated it:
A Christmas Carol is exactly what you would expect it to be. If you have seen any of the many adaptations then nothing in the book will surprise you, particularly if you have watched the Zemeckis Disney version, which is remarkably faithful. Yes that movie was blamed for being a bit soulless, but I say look to the original material and I reiterate that it was remarkably faithful. However, no review could add or take away from this story and how someone feels about it. A Christmas Carol is
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Jan 11, 2012
I've read A Christmas Carol but not the other two.
The Chimes: Finished 8 December 2011. What a truly bizarre story. Of all the characters, why is Trotty Veck the one called out to see the horror of his ways. What horror of his ways? Besides spending most of the Bells sequence not figuring out who was who, I just kept wondering what mean deed Trotty had done and it appeared to have been to have died in an accident. I hope The Cricket on the Hearth is more uplifting....
The Cri More...
The Chimes: Finished 8 December 2011. What a truly bizarre story. Of all the characters, why is Trotty Veck the one called out to see the horror of his ways. What horror of his ways? Besides spending most of the Bells sequence not figuring out who was who, I just kept wondering what mean deed Trotty had done and it appeared to have been to have died in an accident. I hope The Cricket on the Hearth is more uplifting....
The Cri More...
Jan 11, 2012
Megan
rated it:
I loved the Christmas Carol. Although I've seen many versions of the story in movie form (Alastair Sim being my favorite Scrooge), I was glad to have finally read the story for myself.
The Chimes I wasn't so keen on. The Cricket on the Hearth was better than the Chimes, but a little surreal and strange. Because of the other two stories, I give this book only 3 stars. Just Christmas Carol would've had 4.5 stars.
The Chimes I wasn't so keen on. The Cricket on the Hearth was better than the Chimes, but a little surreal and strange. Because of the other two stories, I give this book only 3 stars. Just Christmas Carol would've had 4.5 stars.
Jan 11, 2012
John
rated it:
I don't really care for Dickens, and this did not do anything to change my mind. I mainly read this because it was the holiday season. A Christmas Carol is great, a familiar story that was well worth the time to read a little wordy but easily over looked over. If I could just rank this story I would have given it 4 stars, maybe 5. The Chimes, eh, ok ... Very wordy, nothing really there to grab your interest and pull you into the story. I was greatly annoyed by all the characters in this book. Th
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Jan 11, 2012
This book had the most unintresting stories in it. It took me a month to finish this book and it should have only taken about a week or two. Sure, charles dickens writes with a tad bit more easier writing then old writers who use old english but I did not like his writing at all, I couldnt concentrate on the stories and I barley knew what was going on, well I am more talking about the Chimes and The Cricket on the Hearth, I dont know how to even begin to tell someone what these two stories or b
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Jan 11, 2012
GoodDay
rated it:
Dickens uses such long sentences. But he's colorful and it's good to get back into that type of fanciful story.
In the Chimes, we meet Trotty - so called because in leiu of walking, he trots. Colorful is his character, more clever is the rythmic trot in his speech: "And he we are and here we go. And here we are and here we go"
I adored the Cricket on the Hearth and will read it again; I know I didn't get it all in the first run. The kettle with the personalit More...
In the Chimes, we meet Trotty - so called because in leiu of walking, he trots. Colorful is his character, more clever is the rythmic trot in his speech: "And he we are and here we go. And here we are and here we go"
I adored the Cricket on the Hearth and will read it again; I know I didn't get it all in the first run. The kettle with the personalit More...
Jan 11, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
* I only read A Christmas Carol. I'll probably read the others eventually, but I was only interested in ACC this time around.
I've never read A Christmas Carol before, and I think it might become a bit of a tradition to read it every December. It's a quick read, but I really enjoy Dickens' style in it and it definitely brought smiles to my face! It's perfect to put you in a cheery Christmas mood!
And probably my favorite quote:
"Really, for a man who had bee More...
I've never read A Christmas Carol before, and I think it might become a bit of a tradition to read it every December. It's a quick read, but I really enjoy Dickens' style in it and it definitely brought smiles to my face! It's perfect to put you in a cheery Christmas mood!
And probably my favorite quote:
"Really, for a man who had bee More...
Jan 11, 2012
Zachary
rated it:
Like everyone, I've seen adaptations of A Christmas Carol so many times, it never occurred to me that I had never actually read the book. There's nothing in the book that hasn't been featured in any of the film versions. So adaptations get the tone of the novel closer than others, but the plot is so simple and effective that it doesn't matter. The only surprise (other than how enjoyable it was to read) is the level of fantasy. Dickens could do spooky. And he could write visually. The first
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Jan 11, 2012
Ana
rated it:
A Christmas Carol / 9781411431911
"A Christmas Carol" is a well-known classic, and has been remade into dozens of movie and television versions. The well-known story is that of a bitter man, taken back through time to examine the consequences of his materialistic life. Only in retrospect does he realize how truly lonely and miserable he is, but he is brought back to the present on Christmas morning with the beautiful realization that it is never too late to start fresh. Here More...
"A Christmas Carol" is a well-known classic, and has been remade into dozens of movie and television versions. The well-known story is that of a bitter man, taken back through time to examine the consequences of his materialistic life. Only in retrospect does he realize how truly lonely and miserable he is, but he is brought back to the present on Christmas morning with the beautiful realization that it is never too late to start fresh. Here More...
Jan 21, 2012
Julie
rated it:
Great series! I am glad I finally read A Christmas Carol after seeing various productions throughout the years. And similar themes prevail in The Chimes. The Cricket on the Hearth is now one of my favorites- great character sketch!
Jan 11, 2012
Laura
rated it:
I had wanted to take every measure to ensure some sort of holiday cheer on account of my working retail through the season... and this was one of my ideas: read one of these three stories each weekend of December pre-Christmas Day.
I am glad that I've read them; the familiarity of A Christmas Carol alone makes it an evening's work over a cup of coffee. I enjoyed The Chimes, thought it was a good bit darker, but didn't much care for The Cricket o the Hearth. Ah well! They made for min More...
I am glad that I've read them; the familiarity of A Christmas Carol alone makes it an evening's work over a cup of coffee. I enjoyed The Chimes, thought it was a good bit darker, but didn't much care for The Cricket o the Hearth. Ah well! They made for min More...
Jan 11, 2012
Tess
rated it:
This was my first time reading Dickens. Whereas A Christmas Carol was a wonderful, heart-warming and Christmas-y read, the other two Christmas stories didn't convince me that much. The Chimes was a strenuous and confusing read, because it was unclear where the story was going up until the very last pages. The Cricket on the Hearth was more enjoyable, but could have done with a few less pages of unnecessary descriptions.
All in all, the Christmas stories are all worth a read just for Dic More...
All in all, the Christmas stories are all worth a read just for Dic More...
Jan 11, 2012
Gail
rated it:
I finally read this Christmas classic (A Christmas Carol) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Charles Dickens continues to be one of my favorite authors.
