Customer Reviews

A Christmas Dinner

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"A Christmas Dinner" is a beautifully illustrated version of Charles Dickens' very first story about the ideal Yuletide gathering. Following the tale are 40 pages of Christmas and Christmas eve recipes from both the Dickens family and his contemporaries. "A Christmas Dinner" truly brings history alive and can help you make your holiday festive and bright (and tasty)!

Alice Ross is responsible for over half this book, yet Amazon doesn't even provide a link to her name (though I have contacted them about it). The publisher cites her contribution as "menus and recipes", neglecting to credit that Ms. Ross provided commentary and historical context to the food and customs of the time. As a noted culinary historian and teacher, Ms. Ross brings great expertise, and knowledge. Without her work this would be merely an interesting literary gem.

'A Christmas Dinner' is full of unique illustrations that bring the Christmas season of another time to life again. The recipes are wonderful and can once again become 'new'. I have a dear friend whose mission is to search recipes from the past and this book will, without a doubt be a perfect Christmas gift.

Love Dickens writing, but expected "beautiful illustrations" I thought they bordered on juvenile. Hate to give it 3 stars but definitely not what I expected.

Who does not want to have a good dinner during christmas? This book is very unique with the recipes published, as well as its wonderful illustrations. The recipes are not very common, especially it dates back to 19th century christmas! However, the author does had the recipes well explained on how to make each menu. PS: Loves the beverages and desserts!

I just loved the look of the book-- You could practically "taste" the yummie recipes-- mouth watering good. This is a great book for a Christmas gift-- you are giving more than a cookbook -- it is a piece of art-- fabulous illustrations.

Since Charles Dickens really invented Christmas as we know it, I can't believe these recipes and things have just been unearthed! What a delicious find for all of us who want a uniquely beautiful and memorable holiday gift. It reads as good as it looks, yummy!

I had never heard of this work by Charles Dickens. It says that he was really young when he wrote it (23 years old), and I think that's pretty neat. The book itself is very attractive and the illustrations are great. I found it to be a solid book and a good Christmas gift for pretty much anyone.

I think this is a really cool book. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. I came acrossed it when I was looking for Dickens Christmas stories for a project, but what struck me was all the extras. It has food essays, cultural analysis and a bunch of recipes, for really good sounding holiday dishes that I've never heard of before. I can't really cook to save my life but, I have some friends that can and love to throw themed dinner parties. I am definatly gifting them this book this year.

This book is full of great old-time recipes for Christmas like they used to make during Charles Dickens' era, things like cock-a-leekie soup, scolloped oysters, mincemeat tarts and more. And if you can't find the older ingredients at your local A & P (like beef suet), Alice Ross does a good job of suggesting substitutes. The book is full of lovely illustrations of family life back then and it is fun to see what Dickens was thinking about Christmas long before he wrote A Christmas Carol. I also think this would make a nice gift as it is nicely designed.