On a scale of 1-5 stars, with 5 being the best, how do you rate A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens?
*
0%
[ 0 ]
**
0%
[ 0 ]
***
27%
[ 3 ]
****
45%
[ 5 ]
*****
18%
[ 2 ]
Didn't finish it
0%
[ 0 ]
Didn't read this one
9%
[ 1 ]
Total Votes : 11
Author
Message
Tigerlily Administrator
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:09 pm Post subject: DECEMBER'S Book Choice: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Discuss your thoughts on the book here as soon as you have finished reading it. Did you (not) enjoy it? Anything that struck you or maybe someone else can answer if you have a question? We're not really looking for in depth discussions...just tell us what you think of it!
For those who have finished it, please choose a star rating for the book based on how much you liked it. What did you think of it? Do you have any questions based on the book?
If you do have something to post that reveals plot details which could ruin others' enjoyment of the book, please use the spoiler function (details: http://onlinebookclub.myfreeforum.org/about12.html)
_________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Got this in a swap and will read after I finish Kept. Am looking forward to it. _________________ Currently reading - The Italian Boy - Murder and Grave Robbery in 1830s London - Sarah Wise
I finished A Christmas Carol today. I enjoyed reading it and I thought there were some wonderful phrases throughout the novel, however it certainly didnt get me into the festive spirit. I found it quite dark and drab and depressing, although a great moral tale behind it all. I'm glad I read it and gave it 3 stars _________________ Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden
1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13
Enjoyed and appreciated the writing style but perhaps it's become too familiar and that spoiled it a little for me - am going to read the other Christmas stories included in the edition I got - some of the more ghostly ones look promising. _________________ Currently reading - The Italian Boy - Murder and Grave Robbery in 1830s London - Sarah Wise
Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 538 Birthday: 12th November
Location: In the Land of Pies and Piers
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject:
I thought ,at first, that I would skip through this fairly quickly, but then I realised that you really do have to READ Dickens and not skim it. I'd forgotten the wealth of language and the joy of reading something that has stood the test of time.It is a morbidly depressing story but the moral elements we can still use today....
I have never thought of A Christmas Carol as morbidly depressing - on the contrary, it's one of my favorite books because when I think of it it brings to mind the hope and the joy and the happiness of a new beginning
Spoiler:
It's true that there are ghosts and threats and other similar stuff in it. But the main thing is that Scrooge learned his lesson and changes his ways before it was to late. I have a penchant for situations like this, where some grumpy person starts looking at life with new eyes and starts doing good instead of evil. Even better if the magic of Christmas is involved
But it is also very true that I read the book a few years ago so that's why I probably only remember the good stuff
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 4137 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Cumbria
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:
I love Christmas Carol - in film. Most of the versions are very similar to the book so there were no surprises. However, I did enjoy it. I didn't find it depressing but it was a bit twee and sentimental. I also had a slight suspicion the Mr Dickens was having a little bit of fun with the Victoria obsessions with ghosts, morals and redemption, but I am probably way of tract with that comment.
Did any one see Simon Callow plying Dickens in a Dr Who episode? - he convinced me.
Anyone who hasn't got this book can read it on line on various sites.
Finally making a start on this. Can't believe I've never read it before!!! _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
charlottestar Busy babbling when should be reading
Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 404 Birthday: 27th February
Location: Oxfordshire
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject:
I love a Christmas Carol! Much better in book form than in film. I read it a long time ago but I tend to reread it at Christmas because it gets me in a festive spirit. The ghost bits are actually quite chilling especially the little child one I think and the last one. It's generally brilliant and I love it!
Completely forgot to post my thoughts on this when I finished it last week! I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I thought I would, think it was because I really had to concentrate on Dickens' style of writing. But ultimately I love the story and the moral behind it, so 4*'s from me. _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject:
I loved this, so lovely to read. I didn't find it depressing either - I actually thought it could have been so much more depressing given the awful poverty of the era, but wasn't. I'm sure Dickens could've given us a more dismal portrayal of the poor.
Really liked the descriptive parts, especially when the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the lighthouse and ship scenes - people who don't get time off from their grueling jobs at Christmas and are missing their loved ones - thought those scenes were really evocative and spooky.
I'd love to see a new version of the film, done more harrowingly and realistically. I imagine it'd be even scarier. Thought the description of Marley's ghost clanking up the stairs from the cellar was chilling. I found Marley's ghost more horrible than the ghost of the future. Something in the way he stared at Scrooge and remained motionless.
There was a phrase that stuck in my mind - about the insect on the leaf who whinges about the thousands of insects in the dust for being alive. That is so true and can be applied to people today who moan about the existence of certain, less fortunate people in society.
Will read Dickens' other Christmas ghost stories too, which I have to hand. Will be reading more of Dickens in the new year. Don't know why I've never read his work before. Maybe, as Treez said, I already feel familiar with it.
I ended up reading an ebook version of A Christmas Carol (bookrags.com) which was fine as it's a short read, but wouldn't want to do it again. I missed the feel of a book & everything that comes with it - reading printed pages in bed is not the same, especially ones with ads aimed at teenagers on.
_________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
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it's not as long a story as I remember..
