A Christmas Carol

Rating:
Summary: read this!
Review: my class had to read this book for lit. class this year. although many thought this book boring and stupid, i loved it. i loved all the characters like fezziwig and scrooge. it amazed me when out teacher told us dickens never went to school. i think everyone should read this classic, because it changed my way of thinking and helped open many ideas to me. read this! itz not only a christmas story, but a story of repentance that should be enjoyed all year round.

Rating:
Summary: A Christmas Tale With Sincere Heart and "Spirits"
Review: "You will be haunted by Three Spirits." So forewarns Jacob Marley's ghost to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser of stingy, unfavorable traits. And so begins the enduring Christmas classic distinguished by almost everyone. Come along on an erratic journey with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, all of whom attempt to point Scrooge onto a virtuous path. Meet the most notable characters ever introduced in literature: Bob Cratchit, angelic Tiny Tim, and good-natured Fred. With vivid descriptions of Victorian England and enlightening dialogue, 'A Christmas Carol' will enrapture both the young and old throughout the year with a vital lesson on hope and benevolence for humanity. This, I find, is treasured most of all in this brief story marvelously crafted by the creative Charles Dickens. No matter how many adaptations of the book one has seen on television or as films, the real source is highly recommended and should not be missed. For if you do pass the book up, you are being just a Scrooge (metamorphically speaking, of course!).

Rating:
Summary: Excellent audio rendition of a classic story
Review: A Christmas Carol is a Dickens classic whose story has held true throughout the ages. A Christmas Carol should ideally be read. After you have read the book you should buy this audio rendition. Geoffrey Palmer is not only an excellent actor but has a terrific voice for narration. Dicken's has a way with words that makes it easy to the reader/listener to imagine the setting. Palmer builds on this with his rendition of the story, where you can truly experience the old fashioned dickensian christmas era. Unlike other narrators that summarize this classic, Palmer reads straight from the novel so if you have the book you can follow line by line. The story is told across two audio tapes. I noticed that amazon.co.uk has just released this rendition on CD, so hopefully the CD will be available in the US soon.


Rating:
Summary: Excellent book - A Must Read!
Review: Charles Dickens's classic novel, A Christmas Carol, is his most famous and beloved story. Millions around the globe have read this touching book, about brotherly love and charity, since it was first published. Countless people have seen Ebenezer Scrooge, the selfish and unkind man, transform in to a kind and generous person by the visits of four mysterious ghosts.

The story begins in the afternoon of a frigid Christmas Eve, as a mean-spirited man named Ebenezer Scrooge sits in his office. Scrooge is a cold-hearted and selfish miser, who isn't in the spirit of Christmas. Every so often, he shouts, "Bah!" or "Humbug!" He doesn't even buy coal for the fireplace, so he and his clerk freeze away. No one likes him, and no one stands up to him. Dickens describes him thus: "No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o'clock, no man or woman ever once in his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge." However, this is exactly what Scrooge wants - to be in his own world.

Dickens starts out the story by stating that Scrooge's former partner, Jacob Marley, is dead. Then, he reverts back to what Scrooge is up to. As it is Christmas Eve, Scrooge isn't happy. He scares all the carolers away, and refuses to donate money to the poor. When the day is finally over, he goes back to his house, and tries to go to sleep. As he locks the door, he sees an apparition. There is Jacob Marley's ghost - looking right at him! Scrooge is shocked at first, and still is shocked when Marley's phantom tells him some surprising news. The ghost explains that there will be three other ghosts yet to come: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future. Then, he leaves.

As promised, the ghosts of the past, present, and the future visit Scrooge. The ghost of the past shows Scrooge how he used to be. Scrooge discovers that his life was somewhat pleasant, but still lonely. The ghost of the present reveals to Scrooge his more recent attitude toward Christmas. It shows Scrooge the consequences of his actions, most of which are to Scrooge's dislike. The ghost also informs Scrooge how other people are celebrating. Dancing, playing blind man's buff, and caroling aren't part of Scrooge's world for certain. The ghost of the future shows the time when Scrooge is dead and no one cares for him; actually everyone is happy that he is gone. Meanwhile, all of these visions have Scrooge sobbing in tears and he is finally ready to make changes in his life. After the final ghost leaves, Scrooge runs about his little town donating money, greeting people, and visiting his nephew and clerk's family. It turns out to be a very happy Christmas after all.

I liked A Christmas Carol very much. Charles Dickens's style is very descriptive. I especially liked the vivid verbs and adjectives Dickens used when he described Scrooge as a "squeezing, wrenching, gasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!" As for Scrooge, I liked him a lot. The book was funny when he said something completely nonsensical like "Bah!" or "Humbug!" On a scale of one through ten, I would give A Christmas Carol a ten. It was enjoyable and interesting to read, especially over winter break, as it heartens the spirit of Christmas itself.

Rating:
Summary: You must read the timeless classic A Christmas Carol
Review: Have you ever read A Christmas Carol? If not you must read this classic. Charles Dickens timeless classic, A Christmas Carol , will be read by many generations yet to come. One reason this book is read by millions, is its universal plot. The first reason that the plot is so good because of the wonderful setting. This book is in London during Christmas time during the Victorian Erie. It's about an old grumpy , cranky, great business, man named Ebenezer Scrooge; who hates all and is hated by all. When he is later visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, who tells Scrooge he will be visited by three different spirits. This novel is great to read to kids and for kids to read. This book will teach good values such as the importance of being generous. This book has many good examples of kindness like when Scrooges nephew, Fred, says Christmas is a "' kind forgiving charitable pleasant time'". It will also be a very enjoyable book to read during the holiday time of year. This book has a great English setting during Christmas in the 1800's, which will really boost your holiday spirit. This book often reminds us of our often forgotten past, which shocks the reader and keeps them hooked. This book explains many aspects of the Victorian Erie . For example when the author tells the reader of the greediness of some; Like when Scrooge says,"' If they rather die' said Scrooge,'then they better do it and decrease the surplus population.'" (11) referring to the poor. You can link many aspects of the book to the time period in which Charles Dickens lived and wrote. Like in 1838 the poor tried to get the write to vote but failed because of objection by the middle class . So you can see some of Dickens inspiration for the book. A Christmas Carol is a classic that has been read and enjoyed by many, and millions yet to come. This book has a great history and plot, combined it is great for kids as well as adults. So if you have not read this classic to your family you had better check your! pulse and start reading.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I really enjoyed reading A Christmas Carol. I've heard the story many times before, but this was the first time I have read the full novel, and I'm very thankful that I did. It is a great book, full of vivid descriptions, sybolism, and extremely important life lessons. It's a reall page-turner, and it's one of the few books I've read that I've had a hard time putting down.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a Gem!!!
Review: This classic will live on eternally. Every Christmas I see at least ten different versions of this book on tv.

A dream changes a man for the better, and gives him a
new life and turns his enemies into friends. This book gave me
such a special feeling, as do the movies.

I recommend this book for anyone who hasn't read it
yet, and I give it five stars:)

Rating:
Summary: Can't top a classic!
Review: This is a delightful edition of Dickens's classic and includes a couple of extra bonuses after the conclusion of the book that are pleasing as well. One certainly cannot top a classic. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Geoffrey Palmer IS Scrooge!...Delightful Audio Reading
Review: This review refers to the Unabridged Audio Cassettebook(Penguin Classics) of Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol", read by Geoffrey Palmer.

Gather the family around, and let Geoffrey Palmer, take you on a wonderful journey through time with his marvelous reading of "A Christmas Carol".

You know the story..... Ebenzer Scrooge is a bitter old man who "Will keep Christmas in my own way", which is not al all. People cringe when they see him coming. Dogs cower. But that is all about to change. He is visited by the ghost of his deceased partner, Jacob Marley, dragging the chains he has forged for himself in life, and learns that it is not too late for him. He can redeem himself!

Scrooge is visited by three more spirits that Christmas eve. His past, his present and his future. Each take him on a fantastick journey,through time and space, showing him how
his ways are wrong, and what will happen if he doesn't change.

Geoffrey Palmer("As Time Goes By") is a delight to listen to, as he transforms Scrooge from a bitter man to a caring human being. He is perfect at the subtle changes as Scrooge becomes humbled by the spirits, and then quite humorously becomes giddy with his new found appreciation of mankind. In the end we know that he changes not just so he can have a better after life, but because he really cares about life and humanity.

Palmer captures the mood and depth of Scrooge, the era, and all the characters, giving just the right inflections and tones to bring them to life.

This is a two cassette book, running a little over 3 hours in total time. Packaged nicely with an outer cardboard box and an inner plastic double cassette case. The quality is very nice. The sound is great, very clear. Listen to it in your car, on your walkman, or put it on the stereo Christmas Eve for some family fun.

Because there are so many versions of this wonderful story, with all the reviews together, I am including the ISBN number for you, if this unabridged audio reading is the one you are interested in....0140861785. Just put it in the product search and it will take you to the right page.

Highly recommended for you Holiday entertainment...enjoy...Laurie

Rating:
Summary: A Makeover of Scrooge (Stern)
Review: This was a wonderful surprise for me after having to put hard times down through boredom. It's about a hundred and thirty pages long with large gaps in between the lines so it took me about three or four hours to read it. Of course I've seen countless actors play Scrooge (George C. Scott my favourite)but really, because there's been so many, none of them dominated my mind while reading. The plot moves along very quickly and little is in the book plotwise which is not in the films. In fact I'm now aware of how much the films 'fleshed out' some of it.Also in the movies you can't get a lot of the Dickens humour which is sprinkled through the prose so it was a great choice for me and will be for you.