Book Review – A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Bah Humbug!

I’m going to preface this with the fact that “A Christmas Carol” is my favorite book. I’m also going to say that most people on this blog know the story of A Christmas Carol – either from movies (Scrooged! A Christmas Carol – in about 20 versions, Muppet’s Christmas Carol, I could go on!).

So here is my super short review for those who don’t know the plot:

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly old man who hates Christmas, happiness, puppies, and probably kittens too. He’s got the charm of a wet sock and the warmth of an iceberg. His poor clerk, Bob Cratchit, is basically working for peanuts, and Tiny Tim, Bob’s sickly but angelic son, is just trying to survive while delivering the book’s most heart-wrenching line: “God bless us, everyone!”

Scrooge is visited by three ghosts (because why not) on Christmas Eve. The Ghost of Christmas Past drags him down memory lane, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows him what a jerk he’s being right now, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come scares the living daylights out of him with visions of a lonely death. Classic holiday cheer, right?

By the end of it, well I wont go into 100 year old spoilers but it has to do with the true meaning of Christmas. So go read it. It’s not that long.

Six Weeks with Charles Dickens

With that all said, gather ’round, my dear readers, instead of reviewing A Christmas Carol, we’re going to talk a bit about the man who wrote the book, it’s themes and writing styles. This is back in a time when Christmas wasn’t just about overcrowded malls and last-minute Amazon orders. Nope, we’re going back to the 19th century, when Charles Dickens penned the ultimate holiday classic, A Christmas Carol.

The year is 1843, and Dickens, who’s been cranking out novels like he’s running a literary sweatshop, decides to drop a little novella that’s gonna change Christmas forever. A Christmas Carol. To do this, let’s set the stage. Dickens was kinda in a financial pickle when he wrote this. Yep, the guy who wrote Oliver Twist and Great Expectations was struggling to keep the lights on. He needed a hit, and fast. So, what does he do? He decides to write a Christmas story, hoping to cash in on the holiday spirit. And boy, did he hit the jackpot.

Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in a feverish six weeks. SIX WEEKS. I can’t even decide what to watch on Netflix in that time. And the guy cranked out a timeless classic. Let’s all take a moment to feel inadequate.

Now Dickens too those six weeks and applied his trademark writing style. If you’ve read any Dickens, you know the guy loves his descriptions. He’s the king of painting a scene. In A Christmas Carol, he sets the mood perfectly, from the gloomy, cold offices of Scrooge & Marley to the festive, warm-hearted Cratchit household. The contrast is striking and helps drive home the story’s message.

Dickens also has this knack for creating memorable, vivid characters with just a few lines. Scrooge’s grumpiness, Bob’s goodness, Tiny Tim’s frailty—all these traits leap off the page. And his dialogue? Pure gold. It’s witty, sharp, and often has that little sting of truth.

What else did he add? Let’s not pretend A Christmas Carol is just a cozy holiday tale. It’s a sharp critique of Victorian society and the Scrooges of the world. Dickens is throwing shade at the rich who hoard their wealth while the poor struggle. Sound familiar? Yep, this story is as relevant today as it was back then.

The themes of greed and redemption are front and center. Scrooge’s transformation isn’t just about becoming a nicer person; it’s about realizing the power of generosity and community. Dickens is saying, “Hey, stop being a jerk. Help your fellow humans. Also, ghosts are real and they’re judging you.” (gives you a shameful glare)

So then why does A Christmas Carol still resonate? Why do we keep coming back to this story year after year? It’s simple: it’s timeless. The core message about kindness, compassion, and the spirit of Christmas is universal. Plus, who doesn’t love a good ghost story with a happy ending?

In the end, those six weeks produced something that truly is timeless. I mean look at the endless adaptations—from Muppets to Mickey Mouse, from Bill Murray’s Scrooged to Jim Carrey’s animated take. Each version brings something new, but the heart of the story remains the same. And honestly, it’s fun to see who can out-Scrooge the last Scrooge.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is more than just my favorite book; it’s a timeless classic that has shaped the way we think about Christmas and generosity. It’s a tale of redemption that resonates as much today as it did in Victorian England. Whether you’re reading the original novella (you should at least once!), watching one of its countless adaptations, or simply pondering its lessons during the holiday season, remember that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t about the presents under the tree, but the love and compassion we show to one another.

Now, go out there and channel your inner Scrooge—post-ghosts, of course. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals! (Yes, I had to sneak in a Home Alone reference. Deal with it.)