Signature Classics : A Christmas Carol (Hardcover)

by Charles Dickens (Author) "MARLEY was dead: to begin with..." (more)
Key Phrases: Sir Joseph, New Year, Blind Girl (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The new high quality, hardcover series of timeless classics features the finest works of world literature in 6 X 9 formats. The standard edition has an attractive jacket design. Each title chosen for it's literary quality and for the untold pleasure it will give readers of all ages.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 241 pages
• Publisher: Trident Pr Intl (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582790914
• ISBN-13: 978-1582790916
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,782,054 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic tale of Christmas, December 16, 2002

By	Jack Fitzgerald "JFD" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Most people in the western world are probably familiar with the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. The story has been made into dozens of television and film versions, but I think the written version still stands above film.

Dickens' language is very descriptive, and he paints clear pictures of his characters. Take Scrooge, for example:
"Oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire, secret and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster."

Another strength of Dickens was showing the common man, sometimes with quiet dignity, as in the case of Bob Cratchit, and sometimes at his lowest, as in the case of the workers at the pawnbrokers hawking Scrooges goods.

The images of Jacob Marley's ghost "wearing the chains he forged in life" are very vivid, as are the souls that Scrooge sees out his window.

Scrooge is forced on a journey by three spirits, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. All of the scenes have distinct images and evoke intense emotions within Scrooge. The reader feels part of his change. I never did quite understand why his father treated him so poorly, but that he did contributes to the man Scrooge becomes.

In the end, Scrooge is a changed man and goes out of his way to share his generosity.

I recommend this book for children and adults alike, because the story is timeless and Dickens practicallly defined the quintessential Victorian Christmas. The name Scrooge and 'Humbug' will forever be linked, and the name has come to define someone miserly or without holiday spirit.

What day is it?
It's Christmas Day!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, April 14, 2008

By	Michael T. Young "booknut" (Clearwater, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Signature Classics : A Christmas Carol (Leather Bound)

I was and am extremely pleased with this purchase. The book is leatherbound and flawless. I am very particular about the books I choose to read and how they are packaged and presented. This purchase met my requirements and is now a proud edition to my modest library.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A quick read for the holidays, January 3, 2003

By	Greg (Medfield, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews

A Christmas Carol is one of the best known holiday stories and still one of the best. Dickens perfectly unfolds his characters and gets the reader into the Christmas mood. He also does the unthinkable by making us sympathize with the moody, unfestive Scrooge. The original version is the one to get, though, as the abridged version makes Scrooge's exciting encounters with the spirits (especially his meeting with Marley) far too short. This book is certainly affordable and will get you into the Christmas spirit, as well as help you rediscover the true meaning of the holiday.