Some Short Christmas Stories

by Charles Dickens

Large print edition, with easy-to-read text, of Dickens's classic Christmas short stories.

Genres: Classics, Christmas, Short Stories, Fiction, Holiday, British Literature, Victorian

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Stephanie Anze · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will keep this review short and to the point.

Looking for a christmas "fix", I turned to this collection of short stories by Charles Dickens. I can not believe that I am saying what I am about to say (and with all due respect to Dickens and to those that love this work) but I did not like this at all. I am having hard time believing that this is the same author as the one behind A Christmas Carol, one of the most iconic christmas books ever (and one that I quite liked myself too). I have said before that reading classic books and authors is a risk (at least, it is for me) and this title was just not my cup of tea. Maybe its a case of "it's not you, its me". I will stick with A Christmas Carol as my go-to book for a christmas story but needles to say, I will not be reading this one again.

[Benjamin Chandler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as Christmasy as I would have liked. More like over-long essays and preachy short stories that may or may not have a Christmas theme.

Great ghost stories in the first essay, though.

[Y.K. Willemse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, although not as captivating as Dickens' other work. The ghost stories were particularly chilling.

[STEVE D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read all 15 Dickens' novels in the last two years

I have read the below five novellas:

1. The Chimes
2. The Cricket on the Hearth
3. The Battle of Life
4. The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain
5. A Christmas Carol

And the below 15 Short Stories

1. Tom Tiddler’s Ground
2. To Be Read At Dusk
3. The Wreck of the Golden Mary
4. The Signal Man
5. The Trial For Murder
6. The Seven Poor Travellers
7. A Holiday Romance
8. George Silvermans Explanation
9. The Holly Tree
10. Sketches of Young Gentlemen
11. Doctor Marigold
12. American Notes
13. Sketches of Young Couples
14. Somebody’s Luggage
15 Some Christmas Stories

But I have reached the end of my faith in Dickens here .

The vast majority of his short stories were farmed out to: Wilkie Collins, Robert Buchanan, Charles Allston Collins, Amelia Edwards, Harriet Parr, Adelaide Procter, Percy Fitzgerald, George Sala, Eliza Linton, Elizabeth Gaskell, Andrew Halliday, Edmund Yates, Rosa Mulholland, Henry Spicer and Hesba Stretton.

Dickens participated in partially writing them and then signed his name on them. The truth us ...they are junk.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt very mixed on this book, which is a pity considering Dickens heritage the definitive Christmas writer. The first two tales quite frankly are unreadable, some pretentious plodding narrative about a Christmas tree. From 'The Poor Relatives Story' onwards however, things begin to improve. The tales make more sense, and hold my attention. To call them Christmas tales however seems a little strained.

The stories are OK, but have seemingly not translated well into an ease of understanding for modern readers.

A nice read for the most part, but at times a pointlessly challenging one. Stick to 'A Christmas Carol' for your festive Dickens fix.

[Harish Namboothiri · Rating 1 out of 5]

What really was that...?!!!!

I have read many great novels by Dickens and admire his works. Christmas Carol is the best Christmas Story ever told. But the stories in this collection is totally out of this world.. In a bad way. It's more of some meandering thoughts.

[Julie MacKay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed in this after having read Great Expectations which I really enjoyed. Some of these stories were rather boring and descriptive, but there was a couple that were okay.

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, these stories were disappointing in comparison to Dickens' other works and didn't have the same charm as A Christmas Carol. I listened to them in audiobook format while wrapping gifts, which definitely added some cheer to it, and I enjoyed some parts—like the childlike wonder in The Christmas Tree. I liked The Child's Story much more—it reminded me of The Little Prince.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe two stars is a bit rough, but this is basically several diary/journal entries and then some interesting metaphysical parables. The one I’d recommend was The Child’s Story since it actually made me tear up a bit.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

do I dare admit this out loud?
I am not a fan of Dickens, but when this book showed up on my library recommendations, I thought I would take a chance.
This is a collection of essays or possibly extended story ideas, not really short stories. It would be interesting to know when these were written and if they influenced some story lines or character development in his novels.

"The Christmas Tree"
this essay begins with Christmas memories seen through the various ornaments on the tree -- this melds into musings about life past and present, different conditions in society -- which melds into descriptions of old houses and different hauntings
(there are many elements of "A Christmas Carol")

"What Christmas is as We Grow Older"
musings on the Christmas spirit and family

"The Poor Relation's Story"
"the poor relation" tells his life story in the family circle around the Christmas fire. Filled with irony, it reminded me of Fred's situation in "A Christmas Carol"

"The Child's Story
an allegorical essay on life's journey

"The Schoolboy's Story"
a schoolboy narrates the biography of Old Cheeseman, a fellow student turned Latin master and his fortunes
(elements of "A Christmas Carol")

"Nobody's Story"
elements of a short story about class divisions is a small English village and some of the trials they must endure

[Tracy Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read, more than once, that our conception and method of celebrating Christmas is due, in very large part, to the writing of Charles Dickens.
If this slim volume is any indication than our Christmases should be filled with the wonders and joys of childhood, alongside the grim spiritual specters that haunt our nightmares. Christmas would be full of maudlin sentimentality along with ruthless biting social commentary.
It would be filled with caricatures of humanity that somehow are true and real enough that we care for them body and soul.
The noble, good, and just would be rewarded while the evil, backstabbing, and selfish would be punished... Except, as in life, those things just don't always happen. Instead, at times, the good suffer and the evil are rewarded.
If Charles Dickens created the template for our Christmases they would be filled with loving families, unrelenting happiness and childhood magic. While alongside that would be the crushing pain, hurt, and disappointments of life.
And so this book which, in its brevity, mirrors our brief time on earth and our briefer moments of holiday happiness, does give us Christmas in all its complex permutations.
It's not always a Merry Christmas, but it's truly evocative and moving.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not christmas-y. Not interesting.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fav

Kind of hard to read. Very choppy. Mostly not Christmas related. I enjoyed a couple of the stories, but not enough to add it to my Christmas classics...

[Heather Racey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Christmas Tree: This story was… weird… He begins by describing a Christmas tree. As he looks at it closer and closer, it becomes larger than life and each of the ornaments come alive. Lots of abstract imagery. Lots of ghosts. It was confusing. I honestly didn’t get it.

What Christmas Is as We Grow Older: This was a bit sad, contemplating the jadedness of adulthood and how we shift from children believing in magic to distrusting everything. I didn’t find it uplifting even though I think Dickens meant it to be.

The Poor Relations Story: The principle character of this story seems to weave in and out of being a rough sketch of Scrooge. Obviously, it isn’t consistent, and there are many differences. Dickens wrote it as its own short story outright, it just had strong “Christmas Carol” vibes.

The Child’s Story: This one also had a bit of “Christmas Carol” vibes! The narrator gets to travel in time to a variety of stages in his life. Each stage informs on the building blocks that make the man who he presently is.

The Schoolboy’s Story: This one had a charming, Christmas happy ending. It had the typical dreary view of British boarding schools, so the happy ending was necessary to redeem the drudgery of the piece.

Nobody’s Story: This was clever! Characters such as the “Bigwig Family” seemed to be abstract images of stereotypes. In true Dickens fashion, he uses the misery of the lower class to convict those who are more fortunate for their lack of compassion.

“Nobody lived and died in the old, old way... Let us think of them this year at the Christmas fire and not forget them when it is burnt out.”

Altogether, I wasn’t blown away by the writing. “Nobody’s Story” was the most interesting, but I found a lot of the imagery difficult to follow. The narrator didn’t help bring any of it to life for me.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance, these stories, other than the first two, don't seem to be about Chistmas. The opening story, A Christmas Tree, is a bit of a stream-of-consiousness reminiscence of childhood Christmas trees & their decorations that turns into a ghost story. I definitely see shades of A Christmas Carol in this one.

What Christmas is as We Grow Older is about how our views of Christmas change as we grow, from the childish ideas of what presents we're going to get, to adulthood, when we focus more on others. It was wistful and a little bittersweet; looking back on the past.

The Poor Relation's Story is about a fantasy life; as escape from harsh reality. A poor man imagines what his life could be like, as opposed to how it really is. Much sweeter than it sounds, it's actually a bit hopeful that this man might actually achieve his dream.

The Child's Story is a fairy tale about a traveler who discovers a succession of boys that are progressively older as he travels, representing the various stages of a man's life. It was lovely.

In The Schoolboy's Story, the new boy at school recounts the story of a classmate who becomes their their teacher, & is bullied by his former friends because they think he sold out. He retains his love for his school friends which makes them see their wrongs. The theme is forgiveness, a very apt subject for the holidays.

Nobody's Story is about a nobody. They could be anybody — me, or you. A parable about charity & giving & taking care of the poor, which is another apropos story for this holiday season.

I have to admit, I haven't read Dickens beyond a Christmas Carol, so it was fun to read more of his work, even if it is still in the same vein as his most famous story.

[Paul Whelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This set of stories was a hit and miss mix. ratings 1-4 * as shown
* A Christmas Tree - A fever dream of memories while the author stares at the Christmas Tree apparently after quite a bit of eggnog. Some touching parts but overall nope.
* What Christmas is as we Grow Older - an observation of how we lose the spirit of joy in Christmas as we grow older - found it quite depressing.
** The Poor Relation's Story - an interesting story about a man's fantasy of how his life would have been if everything had gone the way he wanted it to. Sadly it didn't (his "Castle is in the air") and he seems to be trying to bring the party down telling his story...and maybe pointing fingers at others who caused his miseries
**** The Child's Story - This one I really liked as it walked through the stages of life that most of us can recognize. Given that my Father is at the "Come sit with me and remember" stage, it was quite touching. Very short - recommended
*** The Schoolboy's Story - Interesting story of the Old Cheeseman as the youth at a boarding school called one of their teachers. The cruelty of children to their teacher and each other and the mercy shown by Cheeseman to those same children when his fortunes change
*** Nobody's Story - a social commentary on how the poor and lowest in society are blamed for everything and even when the upper crust (The Bigwigs) see the error of their thinking, they end up arguing and doing nothing to help. Ending with the example of military statues to generals but not to the untold number of soldiers that died fighting under those generals

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

midagi erilist see ju ei olnud, aga vähemalt sain mingi pildi ette selle kohta, mismoodi need Dickensi vähemtuntud tekstid ka olid. niipalju kui ma välja viitsisin uurida, on tegu ajakirja(de) jaoks kirjutatud jõulujuttudega perioodist, kui ta oma viis kuulsat jõuluraamatut oli juba avaldanud ja tegeles suuremate teostega, nii et tal ei olnud sealt kõrvalt enam nii väga aega. aga publik ja ilmselt ka eelarve nõudsid, et Dickensi jõulujutt peab olema!

otseselt jõululikud on neist lugudest ainult kaks esimest, seejuures kui "A Christmas Tree" on veel sleline suht hubane loetelu-tüüpi narratiiv (nimetatakse ära tohutu hulk viktoriaanlikke laste mänguasju), siis "What Christmas is as We Grow Older" on küll üks üsna saepurumaitseline essee. aga edasi tuleb paar täitsa tavalist jutukest, rohkem või vähem (okei, rohkem) allegoorilist, mille ainus seos jõuludega on vist see, et "istun siin jõulupuu all ja pajatan teile kõigile seda lugu". eks nad ka sellised halemagusad on (oh seda viktoriaanide obsessiooni armsate, ingellike surnud laste suhtes), aga täiesti loetavad.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking. I think that many would expect this to be a cheerful read, but would be somewhat disappointed. There are fun visuals during some of the narrative, and the way it was done, where people at a Christmas party have a chance to tell a story, was a good way to present each story.
Charles Dickens was a thinker. He was a dreamer, but also, a realist. He saw the problems of his day, and fought against the people with the power, to help more people get off the streets and into homes, to get them to DO something! But since it ends up in the court system and no one can agree on how to make it work, nothing gets done, and the suffering continues on.
Why am I bringing all of this up? Because that’s what you should expect from this book.

[Carmen Distratto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegantly written, in pure Dickensian style, these short stories evoke the magic of Christmas and its true meaning, so much so they are able to enlighten the hardest of the hearts. I loved the description of the Christmas tree and the memories it evoked and the ghost stories have haunted me without terrifying me, which is amazing. I partcularly liked the Nobody's story, a clear metaphor of the social hierarchy and its terrible consequences. I urge you to reflect upon the last lines of it: "The story of Nobody is the story of the rank and file of the earth. [...] O! Let ud think of them this year at the Christmas fire, and not forget them when it is burnt out."

[Helga Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

These classic Christmas stories were varied in content but not necessarily for Christmas. They didn’t grab me like my favorite, “A Christmas Carol” that I can enjoy every year. Some of these stories are better than others. This collection contained, “A Christmas Tree”, “What Christmas is as We Grow Older”- the best of this collection. It also included, “The Poor Relation’s story”, “The Child’s Story”, “The Schoolboy’s Story” and “Nobody’s Story”. If you like Dicken’s, they are worth reading for their variety and content.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Advent 2019/Christmastide 2020!

These short stories were boring and lacked the character development one grows to expect from Dickens.

The stories are also not very Christmasy.

The Christmas Tree is a fun idea. It would be fun to craft a story around the ornaments and decorations on my own tree. The concept was much more interesting than the execution of the written story.

The rest are lackluster. Focus on charity and the wholesomeness of the Everyman, but are completely forgettable.

[K Kolstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a modern perspective, these stories aren't very Christmassy. But Victorian Christmases were quite different than our modern ones - ironically, until Dickens. Nineteenth century English Christmases were celebrated with some feasting and gifts, but mostly with ghost stories by firelight. These are not all ghostly stories but still very Dickensian, involving bullied (and bullying) schoolboys, lonely travelers. Dicken's descriptions are still detailed and vivid.

[Lauren King · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully eclectic collection of little known Christmas tales by Dickens -- what a treasure! These stories had everything -- poignant parables, ghost stories, memories of childhood Christmases (the dreaded Mask!), comedic yarns told around the fire, schoolboy antics, musings on the true meaning of Christmas. My favorites were “A Christmas Tree”, “The Poor Relation’s Story”, & “Nobody’s Story”.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life and death in reference to Christmas

I will admit that unfortunately, the language of Dickens’ times is a little different from now. My favorite part was on kindle page 17, where he writes about the life of Jesus in summary. It was good to read more of his Christmas stories. My favorite other one is the Cricket On the Hearth, and I also love A Christmas Carol.

[Hamish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the easy language I've come to expect from Dickens. I wasn't giving the audiobook my full attention and only had half a notion of what was going on half the time.

Why are so many Christmas stories about death?

There were several ghost stories. What is this, spooktober?

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's about half Dickens and half other people, and it's about 10% Christmas and 90% miscellaneous. The writing and the stories are uniformly engaging and skilled. Nothing flashy or well-known here, but worth a look if you appreciate Dickens and/or Wilkie Collins.

[Jo-Ann Leake · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite Xmas story, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, has led me to retrieve out of the deeper archives some other holiday works by Dickens. One has to dig a little deeper into the story line of some tales included in this anthology, but for more intrepid readers of the classics, this is highly recommended.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book included six short stories by Dickens about Christmas. I rated them (in order), 4,3,4,3,5,3. The first story was haunting! My favorite was the sixth story, about the school boy. The audiobook version read by Geoffrey Giuliano was easy to listen to.

[Harry Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great quick read for the holidays. Free ebook on gutenburg.

[Jess Valiente · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep reading Dickens books thinking I’ll like them and I never really do why am I masochistic like this