Book review: A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol was the first full length book that I ever read. I was in fifth or sixth standard I think and I found it in my school’s library. As the months are getting progressively colder I feel like re reading it. It has now almost become like a Christmas tradition for me to read it almost every year on the occasion. This time however, as the year has become a very long holiday in itself I read it earlier than I do. So, here is a little review that I thought I would share here.
‘A Christmas Carol’ published first in 1843 was written by Charles Dickens- considered one of the finest English writers. ‘A Christmas Carol’ remains to this day one of Dickens’ most famous works. It is a vigorous tale wherein, through the intervention of ghosts in a dream-vision, the protagonist, Ebenezer Scrooge, is transformed from a hostile state of commercial avarice to an incarnation of Christmas cheer.
Scrooge was the ultimate miser whom everybody in town despised with all their might so when he was paid a visit by the ghost of his dear friend Jacob Marley, an array of adventures from his past, present and his bleak future unfolds before him. Through his journey he goes through a self transformation which forms the crux of the story. This story created such a wave with the society that ‘Scrooge’ became a synonym for miserly people.
The virtues of generosity and goodwill to all mankind which are traditionally associated with Christmas are presented as an antidote to the harsh puritan attitude that prevailed in the world of Victorian trade. The vivid effect of ‘A Christmas Carol’ is like a sermon acted out in a dream. The story became hugely popular with readers from all spheres of life- children, adults and youth.
The writing is smooth and it takes the readers into another realm as the magic starts unraveling gradually. The true Christmas spirit is shown through the use of apparitions and ghosts, which is ironic yet effective. As Scrooge slowly realizes his doomed prospect, his emotions starts getting the better of him. He starts fearing. He sheds tears and he laughs. In the end, when he comes back to his real world, he’s a changed man. He greets everyone he meets on the streets, he starts singing carols, and he finally understands the true spirit of Christmas.
No other Christmas-themed book has been as widely read as ‘A Christmas Carol’. The word ‘Merry Christmas’ was first coined in this book and has been a popular way of greeting ever since. I’m not a religious person and Christmas or any other festival for that matter means more about kindness, light and love to me than anything else. Since this year is particularly hard, maybe we all will find some comfort in the pages of this great book. I know I did.
