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Charles Dickens
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The Cricket on the Hearth Hardcover – February 1, 2004

by Charles Dickens (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 515 ratings
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The kettle began it! Don't tell me what Mrs. Peerybingle said. I know better. Mrs. Peerybingle may leave it on record to the end of time that she couldn't say which of them began it; but, I say the kettle did. I ought to know, I hope! The kettle began it, full five minutes by the little waxy-faced Dutch clock in the corner, before the Cricket uttered a chirp. As if the clock hadn't finished striking, and the convulsive little Haymaker at the top of it, jerking away right and left with a scythe in front of a Moorish Palace, hadn't mowed down half an acre of imaginary grass before the Cricket joined in at all!

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  1. Print length
    112 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wildside Pr
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.5 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0809597659
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0809597659
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812 - 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity. Born in Portsmouth, Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education and other social reforms.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wildside Pr (February 1, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0809597659
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0809597659
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.5 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 515 ratings

About the author

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Charles Dickens

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.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
515 global ratings
This short novel yet again showcases Dickens' dry wit. ...
4 Stars
This short novel yet again showcases Dickens' dry wit. ...
This short novel yet again showcases Dickens' dry wit. Typical of Dickens, The Cricket on the Hearth makes a statement about social customs and societal mores of the 19th century. This is one of Dicken's less serious works and is an 'easy read'. Ricardo Silverburn, children's author.
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Top reviews from the United States

LyndaOfFrederick
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Winter's Tale
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2015
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I am a longtime fan of Charles Dickens, so, not too surprised that I liked this, as well. A shorter novel, it introduces each character thoroughly, beginning with the family who belong to the Cricket. Mr. Dickens weaves a world that is easy to see, and includes his trademark touches of humor - such as the baby's nanny, and the boxer dog. Spend some time with the Cricket on the Hearth. You won't regret it!
6 people found this helpful
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Frank Donnelly
4.0 out of 5 stars A Lesser Known, Novella Length, Dickens Work Published as A Holiday Story
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020
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"The Cricket on The Hearth" is the third of five shorter Dickens stories that were originally intended as holiday stories. The first of these is "A Christmas Carol". It is the best known and thus far it remains my personal favorite of these holiday stories. This particular story is good, but not great. There were times I found it mildly confusing and had to often reread passages.

I do need to add that there is an odd part of this story, wherein a slightly uncoordinated nanny repeatly, but innocently bumps the head of an infant into various objects. I think this was an attempt at humor. I found that odd and disturbing, and not even mildly funny. Of course this is fiction, but is it just me, or is that strange?

I know that this story was intended as a holiday story from my studying Dickens. However in reading the story it was not clear to me. This story is not like "A Christmas Carol" in that context.

The story is of Novella length. I study literature on my own. I am not sure if the term "Novella" would have been in use in England at the time of the publication of this story. I have been reading of of Charles Dickens longer works in their order of publication. This story has all of the ingredients of a longer work by a Dickens in a condensed story. There is emotion, wry wit, a plot twist, etc... The story also teaches some moral lessons.

I read this story on Kindle and purchased an audiobook narrated by Gerald Dickens. Gerald Dickens is a descendant of Charles Dickens. Gerald Dickens does a professional job of narration. However I found the story mildly complicated and had to read the story on Kindle in segments and then listen in order to follow the story.

In summary, I liked this story and am glad hat I read it. Listening to Gerald Dickens read the story was interesting and added to the experience. Although published as a holiday story, it is not explicitly a Christmas Story as I think of one. "A Christmas Carol" remains my personal favorite Dickens Christmas Story. Thank You for taking the time to read his review.
8 people found this helpful
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River Watcher
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
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Glad to have a hardback copy.
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Rachel B. Ramey (blogger/author)
3.0 out of 5 stars Boring, and Largely Undeveloped
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2016
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This story was...odd. The very ending was okay, but the bulk of it just seemed pointless. There wasn't a clear purpose to the story. Any plot was largely undefined until right at the end. The storytelling style was also rather quirky, with some asides that I can only imagine as a storyteller's asides to children, except many of them don't seem like the kinds of things one says to children. It isn't awful, but it really isn't worth the time investment to read it, either.
One person found this helpful
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Lovegimik
5.0 out of 5 stars Fairey Sweet
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021
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A sweet little story full of magical things and happy endings. In true Dickens style the character names are as entertaining as the story itself.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining listening 🎶🔰
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2022
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Another will written British 🏰 romantic relationship family adventure thriller short story by Charles Dickens about life in the 1800s. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of different types of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022 👑🏰😤
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Donna Wall
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story!
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2020
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A beautiful book, well written.
One person found this helpful
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Schnauzerbark
5.0 out of 5 stars Dickens offers correction to those Far Right Believers
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2013
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Dickens should be mandatory reading for today's youngsters and more, for those in the political realm. This little book depicts the corruption of politics, money and power and the toll it takes on the poor and helpless. The characters could be easily updated to fit the current American political scene. Any Dickens work by and large affirms clearly the damnable temptations of power and its abuse. Pat attention and extrapolate to today's news. Lincoln was right when he indicated that a man's character is truly revealed when he has money and power.
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Top reviews from other countries

S. A. Greenfield
5.0 out of 5 stars Not Christmas Carol but not bad.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 23, 2021
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My second favourite of Dickens Christmas books. He was always going to struggle to match Christmas Carol with future efforts but it’s warm hearted if a little sentimental. I’m always surprised that there have been no efforts to reproduce it on TV, Film or Stage as there is an element of modern Romcom to the basic plot. There are some excellent characters and John Peerybingle reminds me of Joe Gargery from Great Expectations. It’s a very short read and always fits with the Christmas season and short dark days. Ironically if we had Crickets today we would spend no time in trying to eradicate them! Give it a try, it’s less gloomy than the other Dickens Christmas books and nothing could match the incomparable “Carol”.
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Helenwheelsgreen
4.0 out of 5 stars Dickensian Mystery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2020
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A slow build-up in two Dickensian households, both happy homes but one is very poor with an unpleasant master. Plot twists and turns create an unexpected outcome.
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Anna Lowenstein
3.0 out of 5 stars Stretches credulity
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2015
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If this wasn’t by Dickens, this would have disappeared into oblivion a century ago. Sentimental, with a plot that stretches credulity. I’d give it 2½ stars if I could, but thanks to a faint display of insight towards the end I’ll slide up to 3. At best, of mild historical interest.
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Jackie M
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2013
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For the first five or six pages I thought I wasn't going to enjoy this book and nearly gave it up. So glad I didn't. It's a short book so the story-line is not too involved which makes it a good book to read between more substantial books. Even though it is short, it is packed with Dicken's brilliant characters and humour with a conclusion that is not too obvious. A delightful read.
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Davyboy831
5.0 out of 5 stars Chalks 831
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2012
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I've recently downloaded a lot of classics from Amazon's books for kindle and from the brief samplings I've read they are par excellent. Am looking forward to many hours of reading through the summer and winter months ahead. I retire in September and would hope to update to a laptop from my cumbersome PC. Thank you very much. David White The Cricket on the Hearth
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