From the Bookshelf of 24 Classics for 2024…

A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens

Start date: December 1, 2024

Finish date: December 31, 2024

Discussion: A Christmas Carol (December)

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A Christmas Carol (December)

Read aloud to kids
By Sara · 2 posts · 12 views

last updated Jan 10, 2025 07:47AM

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Dec 24, 2023 Rana (This City That Book) rated it liked it

Shelves: classics

While I loved this as a kid, in both book and movie formats, I didn’t enjoy it as much this time around.

I love the moral of the tale, the times it portrays, the theme that is ever-so-relevant, the need for empathy and compassion, the nature of giving and receiving what you put out into the world… but I really didn’t enjoy it. But that’s a me problem… I find myself no longer enjoying books that are didactic and preachy.

Maybe I am too familiar with the story and how it unfolds. Maybe I don’t lik ...more

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Dec 23, 2023 Isabella rated it really liked it

A Christmas Carol one of Charles Dickens' most noteworthy books is centred around the Scrooge who absolutely hates Christmas with the happiness, joy, friendship, laughter, gift giving and all it stands for. He refuses to be one to say "Merry Christmas" and why should someone so poor or who has had rotten luck or is so miserable be able to have or be wished a merry Christmas. What is the point why is it worth living? But he is haunted by his former business partner to form a better relationship w A Christmas Carol one of Charles Dickens' most noteworthy books is centred around the Scrooge who absolutely hates Christmas with the happiness, joy, friendship, laughter, gift giving and all it stands for. He refuses to be one to say "Merry Christmas" and why should someone so poor or who has had rotten luck or is so miserable be able to have or be wished a merry Christmas. What is the point why is it worth living? But he is haunted by his former business partner to form a better relationship with the festive season before it is too late. Throughout the book, Scrooge is faced with spirits from Christmas' past present and future. It is through these illusions that he learns what the Christmas spirit is all about and the importance of being kind to people and Christmas isn't about what is under the tree as the saying goes but love and kindness and who you spend it with. A book with plenty of life lessons and for those who are always on the icy side of Christmas or need some little reminders during the festive period. Keen to read some more of Charles Dickens' works. Maybe I can build that into my 2024 reading plan. I know Simon you have been reading lots of Dickens' works and really like them. I'm glad to have tried one of his books.

Favourite quotes:

"Monday was dead as a door nail the wisdom of our ancestors is also in that simile too."
"Scrooge never painted out Marley's name on the building."
"What right do you have to be merry you are poor enough."
"What right do you have to be dismal you are rich enough."
"Keep Christmas in your own way and I will keep it in mine."
"Good afternoon! said Scrooge. Good afternoon! said Scrooge."
"I don't make merry myself at Christmas."
"They should just die these poor people and reduce the surplus population."
"The frost hung down. It was old enough and dreary enough."
"Darkness is cheap and Scrooge liked it."
"Humbug."
"I am the ghost of Christmas past."
"He was conscious of a thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares long, long forgotten."
"He wept to see his poor forgotten self as he had used to be."
"Show me no more no more Ghost."
"Haunt me no longer."
"The number of people on their way to friendly Christmas gatherings."
"And handsome women fur hooded and fur booted."
"He softened more and more and thought if he could cultivate the kindness of life for his own happiness."
"I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year."
"Nothing every happened on this globe for good in an easy way." ...more

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