Reflections on A Christmas Carol | Christmas Dickens Readalong

#Dickensalong
In which I discuss my thoughts on A Christmas Carol . . .

*More about the Christmas Dickens Readalong*

*The Schedule*

*A Christmas Carol, 1843 – week beginning 18th November 2024*
The Chimes, 1844 – week beginning 25th November 2024
The Cricket on the Hearth, 1845 – week beginning 2nd December 2024
The Battle of Life, 1846 – week beginning 9th December 2024
The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain, 1848 – week beginning 16th December 2024

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[IamSquirrel]

It’s my first time reading it and I was so excited about it. I loved it. I love this story. His writing is fantastical. I was blown away by many verses. When I was 9 I saw the 1936 film and it scared me, but it also taught me a valuable lesson about charity. Charity has many dimensions. I wonder if Dickens knew how engrained in every new generation his tale would be. 🎄

[PatJohnson-jw]

This puts me in the holiday spirit. Thank you, Katie.🎄

[slashbash]

This book was a double-edge sword for Dickens. On one hand, it was a cultural phenomenon, of which the echoes are heard to this day. It's been told and retold countless times, and whether with Muppets, talking vegetables, or vampires, about Halloween or Easter, and through the perspective of Marley, it still maintains its spirit throughout.

On the other, it was lightning in a bottle. Dickens wrote many classics, of course, but none ever reached the same heights as A Christmas Carol, though he tried to top himself with The Chimes.

[LedgerAndLace]

Your enthusiasm is infectious! I really appreciate how you explain the social history along with the story. 🙂

[GinaStanyerBooks]

The historical context was fascinating. I had no idea that people used to use the baker's oven.

[millercgr]

What a thoughtful, inspiring and informative video this is. Even those who have read it can now be aware of so much more after viewing your video. Wonderfully done.

[teriseeley]

This was a wonderful explanation of A Christmas Carol. Thank you so much! I'm going to read it for the first time this year but I have seen many adaptations over my 77 years! My mother loved to watch it so it became a family tradition in our house. In later years I watched it with my dearly departed mother-in-law who was English from Stoke-on-Trent and came to the US after WWII as a "war bride". Then in more recent years, a priest at our church shared that he reads the novella every year and encouraged others to read it. Also, in the homeschool academy my grandchildren attend, the eighth graders perform a stage production each year. I agree that it does so much to evoke the true meaning of Christmas about how being kind and helping others ultimately brings us happiness. I'm looking forward to watching your other video interpretations of the story as well. Thank you!

[BooksandRadioPlays]

Thank you, I enjoyed this. I had no idea that The Spirit of Christmas Present was Santa. Very interesting. My parents always made sure we understood about the children under his protection, Ignorance and Want, they wanted us to understand how important it was we understood those two things are the cause of most strife and tragedy. I had no idea about the ovens either, that was very, interesting. I always wondered why they picked it up at the bakers. I think I have seen every adaption of the novel but my favorite is Alistair Sims version of it, because his transition from miserable and mean man, to happy and generous man is so well done. Even him giggling to himself at the office that he can't help being happy, he doesn't deserve it, but he can't help it. Lovely chat, thank you,

[mandysmith]

Thank you for the break down, it was excellent. I’m just reading A Christmas Carol, & watching my favourite film version at the same time. I love the story. I’m not one who sees all this information & knowledge in the lines, so your break down was interesting for me.

[bholmes]

I agree about the opening paragraphs - discussing the use of door nails or coffin nails in the simile is fantastic way to begin the story.

[glendaslanina]

Thank you Katie. This was a wonderful interpretation of The Christmas Carol. I have seen the movie numerous times, but never read the book. Reading the actual book and your video has started my Christmas season in a most meaningful way. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[royreadsanything]

Fascinating overview, thanks. I had always thought of Scrooge as being a sort of gentleman but I see now that his background is lower down the scale. I too love ACC - definitely an essential part of Christmas!

[andrewuk]

Thank you - this was so interesting. So many things I had never thought of from Christmas Carol - it really is a complete story. 😀

[martinelanglois]

Thank you for the historical context. We too used to have a roast on Sunday and leftovers for a few days and now I know where that comes from. Very interesting.

[gladouhills]

I finished reading the novella today. It's the first Dickens' work I read and what a great introduction it was 😃. I loved a Christmas Carol and Dickens' writing style 😊. It set me in a Christmas mood 🎄. I'm looking forward to read Dickens' other xmas stories. Thank you Katie for the insights you gave us about this novella 😁

[madebylora]

I really enjoyed the information about ovens and the bakers!

[peterfionaphillips]

Thanks, we are enjoying listening to A Christmas Carol from Borrow Box. And I found your novel in Dorchester library last week! 😀

[DrClawandMadCat]

That was a fantastic observation you made about the Names of the Characters not appearing until Scrooge begins to change!

C.D. was indeed a very powerful writer!

~ Dombey

[barbarahelgaker]

Very interesting point about the lack of ovens at home. Had never really thought about that.

[jf]

Thank you Katie for your insights into A Christmas Carol! Very interesting. I just love it and it always puts me in the Christmas spirit so thank you for that. I don’t think it is canon but I always thought the reason he doesn’t take care of Fred the way he promised was because she died after giving birth and that was tied back to his own mother dying after she had Ebenezer, and the reason why his father was unkind.