Classics for Beginners discussion
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A Christmas Carol
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* A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
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Jill
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 21, 2011 08:36AM
Hi everyone! Just wanted to start the topic for our December read, A Christmas Carol. Feel free to start posting your comments as you read. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting on my library to have a copy for me! Enjoy!
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OOoo this has just reminded me to order it!
I think I'll wait for other people to read this...however I may as well leave a comment for others to think about. An interesting thought by the writers of Doctor Who that A Christmas Carol is in essence a time travel story...
I got the free e-book on Amazon that is the original manuscript. I had a hard time finding a used copy of it like I like to do! But I'm using this time before Dec. 1st as a chance to finish up the other books I've been slow about finishing, that way I'll be able to focus only on The Christmas Carol once I start reading it. :)
My library just emailed me that a copy is waiting for me. By the way I own a copy. My brother gave me a leather-bound antique copy of this book last year for Christmas. It's very hard to read the date on the inside back cover, but it appears to be March 1893.
THAT copy is in my safe deposit box. I wouldn't dare to actually read it.
Mod
Book Concierge wrote: "My library just emailed me that a copy is waiting for me. By the way I own a copy. My brother gave me a leather-bound antique copy of this book last year for Christmas. It's very hard to read ..."
Wow, can you take a pic??
Nicolle wrote: "Why?"Oh you'll find out when you read it why it's a time travel book. I've already reread it this year so yes I will focus more on other novels I have on my list currently.
I get the time travel aspect. Odd that I never thought of it since I love time travel stories. I listened to a version narrated by Tim Curry last Christmas. Wonderful!! May listen to it again.
Nicolle wrote: "Wow can you take a pic??Sorry, Nicolle - I can't ... it's in my safe deposit box, not at home. It's a little volume ... about the size of mass market paperback. A green leather cover with gold embossed title, and gold-edged pages. My brother came across it at an estate sale and just knew it would be a perfect gift for me, his "always reading sister."
Wow, I can just imagine it. You should introduce me to your brother, I don't know anyone who would do that.
i'm back from exams and i'm in!!!
Fantastic, have you got the book yet?I just got an email from the library telling me to pick up my copy. Thank goodness it is on time.
i just saw it today at the bookstore, lucky i decided not to buy anything, because now i can go and buy it
If you have a Kindle, you can get it free! Many of the Classics are free. I just started it but am putting it aside til December.....well, I have to admit, a book I had on hold came through at the library so I will be reading that one instead!!!!! It is the second in a series and I am EAGER to start it ;)
I'll be starting it on Dec. 1. Wasn't going to read listen to it this year, but it's so short and so much fun!
Sam, thanks for the tip! I'll be checking it out tonight!:)
I just bought my copy today! I'm so excited to participate in my first group read... And get into the holiday spirit!
Just finished listening to the audio version, narrated by Jim Dale. He is really a talented voice-over artist. Most enjoyable. I'll hold off on the rest of my review until the discussion begins.
There are also several movie versions of the tale I believe as well. I haven't seen Scrooge but I will say The Muppet Christmas Carol is a clever and unique take on the story. I'd love to watch that again actually... However the animated version featuring Jim Carey which I posses was not particularly fascinating.
I watched the latest Jim Carey one but lost interest and read a book instead. I liked the style of animation though.
I checked out the lone copy of A Christmas Carol from my local library last night. I can't wait to start reading it. It is one of my top 5 Christmas movies, so it is strange to me that I have never even thought to read it! Yay for Goodreads. :)
Jonathan wrote: "I think I'll wait for other people to read this...however I may as well leave a comment for others to think about. An interesting thought by the writers of Doctor Who that A Christmas Carol is in e..."That was a fantastic Dr. Who starring Charles Dickens!
I've seen several movies, TV specials and live theater productions based on
A Christmas Carol
. I think my favorite as a child was the Mr Magoo version. I swear that as I listened to Jim Dale read certain passages, I could hear the music from that Mr Magoo version accompanying my listen. What I like about this particular audio version is that it is a completely UNabridged text that Dale is reading. So you get all the nuances of language that Dickens intended in his original. It's no different from when my mother or father would read it aloud at Christmas time to us. (Well, Dale is considerably more talented at voice over than the adults in my life - no offense, Daddy.)
You can't beat A Muppet's Christmas Carol, it is just superb.
Book Concierge wrote: "I've seen several movies, TV specials and live theater productions based on A Christmas Carol. I think my favorite as a child was the Mr Magoo version. I swear that as I listened to Jim Dale read c..."Ooh, I'm happy to hear of a great audio version. I love listening to audio books. I'll be starting it next week since once my classes are done. Did you get that version through your library or someplace else? I'd love to listen to that version.
Jonathan wrote: "There are also several movie versions of the tale I believe as well. I haven't seen Scrooge but I will say The Muppet Christmas Carol is a clever and unique take on the story. I'd love to watch tha..."I think the best movie version of the novel is George C Scott's version. He is a very convincing Scrooge!!!
Well, I didn't mean to, but I finished it tonight! oops. :) I read the original manuscript, and I really loved it! I want to watch one of the versions of this on DVD. I own the Muppet one, but I'm going to go see what's available on Netflix. ^_^
Sam wrote: "You can't beat A Muppet's Christmas Carol, it is just superb."I agree, I would like to see that again actually...
Book Concierge wrote: "I've seen several movies, TV specials and live theater productions based on A Christmas Carol. I think my favorite as a child was the Mr Magoo version. I swear that as I listened to Jim Dale read c..."
My mum helped put together a church dramatization of A Christmas Carol. It was very funny.
My personal history with this book is enormous like The Hobbit it is one of the few texts I remember reading with mum and dad. When I was younger we all read it together at night time. It further fostered my love of literature. Books and stories have been part of my life from the first I discovered them...
Slowly getting into Christmas mood, so I'm really looking forward to read this within the next few days. I can't believe I never read it before!
I'm really excited to read this. I've seen about every film variation of this novel, but never actually read it. Got the ebook and ready to read!PS, Muppet's Christmas Carol is definitely the best!
Glad that we're all enjoying this one! I have to say, my memories of Dickens are not that great. I read A Tale of Two Cities when I was in high school. I remember his writing style being really arduous. I am pleasantly surprised so far, which means maybe I should give him another chance. I'm about halfway through, and hope to finish this weekend!
Ahem, if I may quote:
"Light the lamp, not the rat! Light the lamp, not the rat!!!"
Gonzo and Rizzle make everything better :-)
"Light the lamp, not the rat! Light the lamp, not the rat!!!"
Gonzo and Rizzle make everything better :-)
It seems we have all seen the muppet version but not the 'proper' ones!
I am well into it - and all I can envision and hear are the voices of the Muppets, George C. Scott and the actor from the Black and white version of the movie! LOL. I am enjoying it, though. I love the way it was written - the narrator seems to be a random person.
my kids LOVE the original movie...it is soooo good you should all see it this year!!!!
Nicolle wrote: "It seems we have all seen the muppet version but not the 'proper' ones!"Well I guess there is no proper one strictly speaking as no version will follow the text one hundred percent.
Jonathan wrote: "There are also several movie versions of the tale I believe as well. I haven't seen Scrooge but I will say The Muppet Christmas Carol is a clever and unique take on the story. I'd love to watch tha..."I watch The Muppet Christmas Carol every year! Unfortunately this means I'm replacing the characters in the book with the ones in the Muppet movie. Oh dear. The book is lacking singing vegetables which is quite sad.
Responding to message # 27 by Melissa -Yes, I did get it from my library. Have already returned it (it's pretty popular this time of year) or I'd tell you the producer. Sorry. But maybe Jim Dale only recorded one version.
Book Concierge wrote: "Responding to message # 27 by Melissa -Yes, I did get it from my library. Have already returned it (it's pretty popular this time of year) or I'd tell you the producer. Sorry. But maybe Jim Dale ..."
Thanks! I was able to find it at my library as well. It's currently checked out, but *fingers crossed* maybe they'll return it soon. :)
I'm looking forward to reading this, I have never read it before, I just downloaded it from Apple and am going to look for a second hand copy as well
Well, I've read Stave 1 and 2 and quite unexpectedly I am really enjoying my first Dickens experience. It is a lot easier to read than I first anticipated though some parts I'm not so sure about. Is that woman his ex??
Hi, Just a reminder to anyone interested that I have a glossary of less familiar words and phrases used throughout the novel, if anyone would like me to email them a copy.
If so, please email me at: manicscribbler@gmail.com
Nicolle wrote: "Well, I've read Stave 1 and 2 and quite unexpectedly I am really enjoying my first Dickens experience. It is a lot easier to read than I first anticipated though some parts I'm not so sure about. I..."Hi Nicolle,
In Stave 2, the young girl who appears at Scrooge's school is his sister, Fan, whom he loves very much. She is the mother of his nephew who asks Scrooge to spend Christmas with him. She is the key to why Scrooge can't bear to look at his nephew.
The 'fair young girl in a mourning dress' was his one-time fiancée, Belle. She is releasing Scrooge from their engagement (which was a formal contract in Victorian times) because she perceives his greed for money is more important to him than her.
A little later, moving forward in time, we see an older Belle, now happily married with children, the oldest being 'a beautiful young girl'.
Hope that helps. :)
Thanks Lyn, I think I got it, just wasn't 100%. If engagements were contracts now it would be so freaky!
Re message # 45Lyn ... you might want to alert readers to potential spoilers, especially since discussion hasn't started yet. (Not a problem for me as I've read it already ...)
I sent an email requesting your glossary. I think my niece will find it very helpful.
Oh yes I think you should! Edit your post and put spoiler, I was waiting for that part you mensioned all the way through! Have finished now and think that it is a splendid book.
Book Concierge wrote: "Re message # 45Lyn ... you might want to alert readers to potential spoilers, especially since discussion hasn't started yet. (Not a problem for me as I've read it already ...)
I sent an email re..."
Not sure if I did something wrong - if so, I apologise. I was just trying to clarify the relationships - which I think should add to overall understanding, not spoil the storyline in any way. In my experience, many readers don't understand why Scrooge is so surly to his nephew, nor what happened between him and Belle. I think that understanding this helps to create a little more sympathy for Scrooge.
I certainly don't want to spoil the enjoyment for anyone and am sorry if I did so.
Lyn wrote: "Not sure if I did something wrong - if so, I apologise. ...."Sorry, Lyn. I didn't mean to criticize your effort at all.
I tend to be super careful about spoilers. I just thought some readers might not have gotten there yet and wouldn't want to know what's coming.
I don't think there was any damage done, really.
Thanks, by the way, for sending the glossary. Clearly, you've put a lot of work into it!
