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A Christmas Carol - The Original Manuscript in Original Size - With Original Illustrations Hardcover – June 9, 2013

by Charles Dickens (Author)

4.7 1,198 ratings

A UNIQUE BOOK -- Dickens' original handwritten manuscript of A Christmas Carol, in its original size, together with a typed text on the opposite page.

"Its impressive eloquence, its unfeigned lightness of heart, its playful and sparkling humour, its gentle spirit of humanity" all put the reader "in good humour with ourselves, with each other, with the season and with the author." -- The Illustrated London News

A Christmas Carol was "a national benefit and to every man or woman who reads it, a personal kindness." - Thackeray

Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in six weeks, at the end of 1843, during a particularly intense time of creativity. He was suffering financial difficulties and was determined to have the manuscript ready for publication for the Christmas market. This book contains a clear copy of Dickens' one and only handwritten manuscript, with his revisions and corrections evident on every page. The revisions show how Dickens made the verbs become more active and reduced the number of words, thereby achieving greater immediacy and vividness. The manuscript was published on 19th December, 1843, and sold out on Christmas Eve, 1843. This edition has each of the sixty-six pages of the original handwritten manuscript on the left-hand page and the corresponding words typed on the right-hand page. The book contains the eight original illustrations by John Leech.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) is generally considered the greatest English novelist of the Victorian era. At the centenary of his death, critical opinion placed him second only to Shakespeare. His many novels include David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity during his lifetime than any other author had. His work appealed to both the simple and the sophisticated and he rapidly achieved worldwide fame. His vividly detailed writing, his compassion, and his forensic depiction of his society and its shortcomings enriched his novels and made him both one of the great forces in nineteenth century literature and the conscience of his age.

Print length

166 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Benediction Classics
Publication date

June 9, 2013
Dimensions

8.5 x 0.44 x 11 inches
ISBN-10

1781393907
ISBN-13

978-1781393901
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Benediction Classics (June 9, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 166 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1781393907
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1781393901
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.44 x 11 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,091,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,196 in Ghost Fiction
- #43,143 in Classic Literature & Fiction

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4.7 1,198 ratings

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Charles Dickens

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Charles Dickens was born in 1812 near Portsmouth where his father was a clerk in the navy pay office. The family moved to London in 1823, but their fortunes were severely impaired. Dickens was sent to work in a blacking-warehouse when his father was imprisoned for debt. Both experiences deeply affected the future novelist. In 1833 he began contributing stories to newspapers and magazines, and in 1836 started the serial publication of Pickwick Papers. Thereafter, Dickens published his major novels over the course of the next twenty years, from Nicholas Nickleby to Little Dorrit. He also edited the journals Household Words and All the Year Round. Dickens died in June 1870.

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4.7 out of 5

1,198 global ratings

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Thomas Lee Mullins

A classic story of redemption

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024

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It is a classic story of redemption told in a heartwarming way that is inspiring, uplifting and profound. It is for the whole family. I think everyone will enjoy it. It's story while a long time ago is quite timeless.

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024

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I like the way Charles Dickens uses the old English language , the words, the way he forms a sentence, we just don't speak that way anymore.

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024

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I love it just what I wanted

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DMF albatross

Finally got to read this classic!

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2023

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Yes, I recommend reading this timeless classic. Feel free to interject whatever stream of cliches as I will not include them.

Most people hear the name Ebenezer Scrooge and envision the miser, as opposed to the transition he embodied. The tough counsel he received required Scrooge to challenge his shallow reality helped him get beyond his biases and resentments. Look up the vocabulary and context of this story. It has been told in so many ways, but take a moment to return to the original text.

2 people found this helpful

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Acupunk

It was Good

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023

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I liked Tiny Tim, because he's so tiny. It says it all in his name. The symbolism is profound. The Spirits reflect Scrooge's life.

One person found this helpful

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Merle L. Niemiec

A Christmas Carol

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024

Just like movies

I really enjoyed reading it!

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024

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I used it for reading at bedtime and it was fairly easy though sometimes challenging to know their old English way of speaking.

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023

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After seeing this story in cartoon, film, and on stage it seemed time to actually read the original. It definitely lived up to expectations! Charles Dickens had a singular talent in creating characters that capture the best and worst of us all. Now I think I'll be reading and re-reading more of his work. Maybe starting with Great Expectations!

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Fabio K.

A Christmas Carol - a merry and reflexive tale

Reviewed in Brazil on December 12, 2023

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Loved it from start to finish! It's a wonderful short story that teaches us the power of festivities and happiness, the ability to change that every man possesses, and how there are things more important than money or bussiness.

I loved to experience Christmas once again through the eyes of a child (or of a spirit) and seeing human nature in all its different faces, hopeful or filthy.

Highly recommend it for anyone who believes in Santa Claus ;)

Ms. Armstrong

Classic perfect

Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2023

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Classic good read!.

Michael Whitaker

Christmas carol

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2024

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It is a very nice looking book and it is taken from the original bought outin 1843. The book is a very good hard copy.

Mariana

Qualidade terrível

Reviewed in Spain on December 22, 2023

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Não vale o dinheiro que custa

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MEDE

Tolle Geschichte

Reviewed in Germany on February 28, 2022

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Das Buch behandelt die weltbekannte Geschichte um Ebenezer Scrooge, der in der Weihnachtszeit von drei Geistern besucht wird.
Nach diesen Begegnungen ändert er sein Leben.

Tolle Geschichte! Wenn auch leider etwas kurz.

Vielen Dank für das Lesen meiner Rezension. Ich hoffe, sie ist hilfreich. :)