The story of Trotty Veck, a poor ticket porter, whose outlook is changed from despair to hope by the spirits of the chimes on New Year's Eve. Newly...
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Dec 13, 2009
Jake
rated it: 
If A Christmas Carol is about making restitution after sins of commission, The Chimes is about the potential cost of sins of omission. That is what I got from this year's reading of a Dicken's holiday story. I read one every Christmas to get into the holiday spirit. (See also: The Haunted Man).
I'm not a huge fan of Dickens, because I find reading him laborious. Yet, that is really my only gripe with him. I love the characters, settings and situations he created. I just wish he hadn't More...
I'm not a huge fan of Dickens, because I find reading him laborious. Yet, that is really my only gripe with him. I love the characters, settings and situations he created. I just wish he hadn't More...
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Aug 02, 2011
Bianca
rated it: 
Another classic Dickensian tale about undue prejudice against the working class and how we should all try to be happy, make each other happy and treat everyone with respect regardless of class. This tale can be seen as a follow on to A Christmas Carol as The Chimes focuses on New Years Day and how new beginnings can come from this day. Trotty is the main character who is disillusioned with lower class crime and morality. His daughter brings him a mean to celebrate her engagement and wedding day.
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Jan 07, 2012
Alicia
rated it:
Charles Dickens wrote "The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In" in 1844, a year after he wrote "A Christmas Carol." I almost gave the story 2 stars because I found it confusing my first time through. But I love Charles Dickens' descriptions and uplifting message of hope, so I give this story 3 stars and say it's worth reading (once).
The movie "It's a Wonderful Life" may have been inspired by this story, as More...
The movie "It's a Wonderful Life" may have been inspired by this story, as More...
Oct 13, 2011
Parikhit
rated it:
Another Christmas book by Charles Dickens and it does not fail to impress me. Dickens wonderfully describes his characters; the divide between rich and poor; destitute and hopelessness; consequences of giving up and killing faith.
The chimes mounted at the church tower have always enchanted Trotty, our central character, and he presumes the haunting tune of the chimes reciting messages to him. When he has succumbed to the gloom and despair met out to the poor by the rich and prosperou More...
The chimes mounted at the church tower have always enchanted Trotty, our central character, and he presumes the haunting tune of the chimes reciting messages to him. When he has succumbed to the gloom and despair met out to the poor by the rich and prosperou More...
Dec 10, 2011
Eric
rated it:
More of a winter's tale or New Year's fable than a Christmas story, The Chimes touches on the same themes as most of Dickens' other works, mainly the plight of the poor. Some of the upper class characters are stilted up even higher on their horses then the infamous Ebeneezer Scrooge of A Christmas Carol.
But upon finishing the book one might suddenly realize that it is not about the misery of the poor and the war of the classes. It is really about how to enjoy life no matter what your More...
But upon finishing the book one might suddenly realize that it is not about the misery of the poor and the war of the classes. It is really about how to enjoy life no matter what your More...
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Dec 29, 2011
Kate
rated it:
This novella - the second of Dickens' Christmas books - contains a very stern moral message regarding the treatment of the poorer classes; the nature of charity and sin. As such it sparked controversy and received mixed reviews at the time of publication. Though I sympathise with the author's conscience; his longing for social reform and the condemnation he thusly inserted into The Chimes, I find this story has none of the warmth of A Christmas Carol.
The description is of course won More...
The description is of course won More...
Jan 05, 2012
David
rated it:
This is one of Dickens' five "Christmas Books", although this novella really focuses more on the New Year's holiday. This is not among Dickens' most memorable works, but it is an enjoyable read for the holiday season. It is a bit bleaker than A Christmas Carol, and it has a similar goal of advancing a message about morality and a more desirable way to view the world. The issue here is society's attitude about poor people, and the need for compassion and charity. Not the place to star
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Dec 26, 2011
Joseph
rated it: 
The full title of this story is "The Chimes, A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In". While not a story Dickens is often remembered for, nonetheless it was nice to read some Dickens again after not having done so for a very long time. Appropriate for this time of year and replete with Dickensian themes of economic class differences and social justice. A quick and enjoyable read. Happy New Year!
Jan 06, 2012
Kerri
rated it:
This story was very similar to A Christmas Carol, yet somehow lacked a bit of its charm. The characters were engaging, and a few enraged me so much that it was hard to believe they were fictional, but the story meanders a little too much for my liking. I also felt that the ending left a few things loose - in A Christmas Carol, the 'bad' character gets his comeuppance, yet in The Chimes the character who does all the learning is certainly not the one who really deserves to be taught a lesson. Als
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Dec 24, 2011
Kristy
rated it:
This was a mind juggler for me! I liked the story but it really took some deep concentration, of which, I don't have much lately. I might have enjoyed this novel about fresh starts in the New Year and finding happiness in all your surroundings, if I would've had better focus. It's a short read but not a light read. Not my favorite Dickens book, but the message was rewarding.
Dec 31, 2010
Rod
rated it:
A New Year Carol (replete with ghosts and a life-changing glimpse of a possible future). Definitely worth reading, with Dickens' usual concern for the poor and the most vulnerable in society. A scathing portrait of officials who "know what's best for these people." Apparently considered far too radical by some reviewers in his time...Go, Dickens!
Aug 03, 2011
Andrew
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Unpopular in its day, and always the poor relation of A Christmas Carol, I found The Chimes a touching winter story which was at least as enjoyable if not quite as well-known as its more famous counterpart. Deserves to be made into a film or Xmas television special one day.
Dec 14, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
One of Dickens five Christmas stories and this once has parallels to The Christmas Carol, but with a character unlike Scrooge. A poor man and mostly a decent person is too pessimistic of humanity and the tendency towards evil (think almost Calvanistic) who must learn his lesson.
Apr 30, 2010
Anne
rated it:
I love Dickens. I have made it a goal to read all of his works. But I can see why this particular story isn't well known. It's Dickens at his preachiest, and as such the story isn't as well crafted. It's more of a finger-wag than a novella.
Dec 29, 2011
Malcolm
rated it: 
It is easy to see why this novella has been neglected. It has little of the appeal of A Christmas Carol. The central character, Trotty Veck is a kindly, well meaning old man whose supernatural experience fails to engage the reader.
Nov 17, 2011
Julie
rated it:
Certainly not the classic "A Christmas Carol" was, but am glad I have at least read it so now I know. I had honestly never heard of it before. Wonder if "It's a Wonderful Life" was kind of based on this story?
Dec 20, 2011
Will
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One of Dickens' other "Christmas Books" although it actually takes place at New Year. I think It's a Wonderful Life pinched this story! Not as good as A Christmas Carol, but still well worth the read.
Apr 14, 2011
John
rated it:
Not bad, but rather confusing, it has a meaning, but left me scratching my head wonder what exactly it is. It does portray the plight of the poor and the attitude of the privileged against the poor
Dec 22, 2010
Matt
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This book does not quite work for me. Very confusing plot and extremely labored narration. I only give it two stars, because Dickens has occasional dialogue that is truly thought provoking.
Feb 08, 2012
Apryl
rated it: 
This was deliciously cheesy: characters sweeter than sugar & spice, and sour wickedness who would destroy them. If this isn't where Rowlings found her Dementors, I'll eat tripe!
Dec 31, 2011
Adam
rated it:
I didn't realize how corny this was reading it on NYE
I had a Mrs. Dalloway moment at midnight,
shoulda,coulda,woulda
But can't imagine next new years already without it
I had a Mrs. Dalloway moment at midnight,
shoulda,coulda,woulda
But can't imagine next new years already without it
Jan 02, 2012
Jillian
rated it:
Such a fun book. It was a little confusing trying to keep up with names, but the end especially was worth it. As always, with Dickens. :-)
- more thoughts are available at my reading blog
- more thoughts are available at my reading blog
Oct 11, 2011
Gena
rated it:
A shorter Dickens work. Not my favorite, but all Dickens books are worth reading, if for no other reason than because of the music he creates with the words on the page.
Dec 28, 2010
Carly
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I finally got to this book this Christmas season. It is really short, so I don't know how I didn't finish it before! It was an okay story, but not my favorite. I really loved the beginning. The descriptions that he makes of the bells is fantastic and beautiful and haunting. I also love Trotty and his relationship with his daughter Meg. The story turns sour for me when Alderman Cute arrives in the book. After that, I got confused for a while. Then things got not so good, and the goblins w
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Jan 08, 2012
Janice
rated it:
I love Charles Dickens and this is a good one. It makes me think the writers of "It's a Wonderful Life" read this before they wrote the screenplay.
Jul 26, 2011
Nicolas
rated it:
Yikes, I really didn't like this. In many ways it is a retread of A Christmas Carol, but with slow-pacing and dull characters. I was very disppointed.
Jan 03, 2010
Laura
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 15, 2011
Jason
rated it:
Review is compiled together with the other Christmas books
http://olioscholar.blogspot.com/2011/01/...
http://olioscholar.blogspot.com/2011/01/...
Sep 12, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it:
Charles Dickens wrote The Chimes just a year after he wrote A Christmas Carol, and they seem to be amiable companions. Where A Christmas Carol takes place at Christmastime, The Chimes is set at New Year's. The main characters of both books are led from scene to scene by spirits, and learn their lesson through these revelations. Where Ebeneezer Scrooge is taught to be more charitable, however, Trotty Veck of The Chimes is taught to have more hope.
I found the story to be poetic an More...
I found the story to be poetic an More...
Jan 14, 2010
Paul
rated it:
One of Dickens' Christmas stories. A similar message to the Christmas carols but not quite as enjoyable.
