Monday, December 8, 2008

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings (Penguin Classics) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that I'm a little ashamed to say that I haven't read before. But, my online book group is reading it this month and now I am SO GLAD I can say that I have read it.

I know I don't really need to give any kind of a plot synopsis. But, I can see where I would have been turned off by reading it in my younger years. Dickens does occasionally go off on wordy tangents, which for a book that is only 100 pages seems somewhat unnecessary. But, it was a lovely enjoyable read which put me right into the Christmas spirit.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is when Marley is lamenting the mistakes that he made in life. He says:
Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness. Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused! Yet such was I! Oh, such was I!
I should mention that the Muppet Christmas Carol is my favorite Christmas movie and I watch it at least once a year. I was surprised at how true the movie stayed to the book. You know that Jim Henson must have been so grateful he could turn Fezziwig into Fozziwig. I mean, how perfect is that?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't be ashamed Girl, I haven't read it either ;)

Emilia said...

I didn't read this until right after Todd and I were married. I was amazed at how witty the whole thing is. I felt cheated by some of the movie versions I'd watched over the years that hadn't kept the humor in. (Muppets being the obvious exception.) We found a wonderful version that we read to our children every year. It simplifies the language just a tiny bit and has some wonderful illustrations. I'm normally morally opposed to abridgment, but this is one that I'm okay with.

Serena said...

I haven't read this in a long time. Maybe its time I read it again.

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

I get to read this this month, it is on my shelf right now. It is for my real-life book club. I can't wait to read it!

Yes, the Muppet Christmas Carol is so fun!

Ladytink_534 said...

I picked it up to read this month too for the first time (also for my book club). I actually haven't gotten around to reading it yet though...

Kim said...

I love the Muppet's Christmas Carol too, but I still haven't read this book. I need to do that.