A Christmas Carol and Other Haunting Tales

by Charles Dickens, Solomon Eytinge (Illustrator)

In this Collector's Edition, Dickens's most captivating stories are gathered together, richly illustrated with handwritten letters, reproductions from rare books, and a splendid portfolio of prints and drawings from the special collections of The New York Public Library. Among them are Sol Eytinge's beautiful and tender illustrations for A Christmas Carol, which have not been reproduced for well over one hundred years. Dickens himself said of them, "They are remarkable for a delicate perception of beauty, a lively eye for character, a most agreeable absence of exaggeration, and a general modesty and propriety, which I greatly like." Rare family photographs are also reproduced here, including a portrait of Harry Burnett, Dickens's nephew, who is said to be the model for Tiny Tim.

Along with the well-known and beloved A Christmas Carol, this edition presents several works which may be less familiar, including "Mrs. Gamp," "Sikes and Nancy," and "The Trial from Pickwick." Altogether, it's as though a glorious host of Dickens's incomparable creations has assembled at the fireside for a reader's delectation.

Genres: Classics, Literature, Historical Fiction

367 pages, Hardcover

Published October 20, 1998

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

[Abra Dabra · Rating 5 out of 5]

наконец - то я прочитала все Рождественские сказки Диккенса.

[Lyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only read A Christmas Carol. Endeavor to read the other stories next year.
But for A Christmas Carol. I fall more and more in love with this story every year. Just a reminder to live life for more things more than yourself, be a kind and decent person, help others when you can check on your friends and family. Life is short

[Deonna Marie Cordes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommendation: Read the Christmas Carol & the Christmas Tree, skip all the rest--you are welcome.

[Darwin8u · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Dickens. This is one of those stories where it has moved almost into the soul and center of Christmas. Dickens' style is sharp, his wit is evident, and the story flows like a crisp step waterfall. I could imagine a December without Ebenezer Scrooge, like I could imagine a December without lights, peppermint, Nativity scenes or Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas'. This was the first year I shared the story with my kids and they enjoyed it as much as I did.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the classics

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scrooge sees the ghost of his late business partner and immediately blames old cheese or bad meat 😂 an all timer.

[Melodie Wendel-Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good selection leading up to a classic. Enjoyed the little extras included.

[Irina]

Treated myself to reading the famous Christmas Carol for the very first time, and on Christmas Day.

[Cormacjosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forget how many times I have read this wonderful story. I read it once a year at Christmastime, and its that time of year. I never get tired of A Christmas Carol. It is one of my absolute favorite books ever written. The Haunted Man is another fine lesser known tale in this collection which I particularly enjoy.

[Alec Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Chirstmas Carol is a delight. Many of the other stories in this compendium are uneven.