A Christmas Carol-Illustrated Classics-Guide » (Study Guid)

Charles Dickens is probably the greatest novelist England ever produced. His innate comic genius and shrewd depictions of Victorian life -- along with his memorable characters -- have made him beloved by readers the world over. In Dickens' books live some of the most repugnant villains in literature, as well as some of the most likeable (and unlikely) heroes.

Dickens Christmas Books, in Large Print, Volume 1: A Christmas Carol is the first and most popular in a series of five novels that Charles Dickens wrote for the Christmas season. This LARGE PRINT edition is designed in 14-point Century Schoolbook for easy reading and includes an original introduction as well as a bonus essay (A Christmas Tree). The familiar story of A Christmas Carol, about Ebenezer Scrooge and the three spirits who haunt him, has brought a healing touch to generations of readers. Despite many film and TV adaptations, the Dickens original remains the most powerful telling of this memorable tale.

Children's Literature

Here the Christmas story that we all love is presented in its original language with artwork that captures the period and its ghostly theme. The beautiful language is once again a joy to read. Marley's Ghost warns: "Oh! . . . 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." Unusual words of the period such as, negus, Cold Boiled, or bedight, may be looked up or understood in the context. The watercolor and gauche illustrations with smoky spirits and pages tinted with wash draw us into the surreal spirit world. The snowy village with hovering ghosts on the book jacket and the greenish moire book cover with the door knocker of Marley's head, immediately set the tone. This is a jewel of a book for Christmas giving and family enjoyment.