Christmas Books by Charles Dickens (Oxford World’s Classics)

Description

“Christmas Books” is a collection of five novellas written by English author Charles Dickens, each centered around the theme of Christmas. These stories were written and published by Dickens in the mid-19th century and are often associated with his desire to capture the spirit of the holiday season and convey messages of goodwill, generosity, and social compassion. The novellas in the collection are:

1. “A Christmas Carol” (1843): This is perhaps the most famous and well-known story in the collection. It tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. Through these visits, Scrooge learns the importance of empathy, kindness, and generosity. The story has become a symbol of the transformative power of the Christmas spirit.
2. “The Chimes” (1844): This novella follows the character Toby Veck, a poor ticket-porter, who encounters supernatural beings on New Year’s Eve. The story delves into themes of social injustice and the impact of poverty on the lives of ordinary people.
3. “The Cricket on the Hearth” (1845): This story revolves around John Peerybingle, a carrier, and his wife Dot. A mysterious cricket serves as a symbol of happiness and good fortune. The novella explores themes of family, love, and the importance of home.
4. “The Battle of Life” (1846): This novella diverges from the traditional Christmas setting and focuses on a love triangle involving two sisters and a young man. Despite its title, the story does not explicitly center on battles but rather on personal relationships and emotional conflicts.
5. “The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain” (1848): This story features a chemistry professor who is visited by a ghost offering him the opportunity to forget his painful memories. The story explores themes of forgiveness and the consequences of erasing painful experiences.

These novellas were initially published separately, often as special holiday editions, and they reflect Dickens’s desire to celebrate the values of Christmas, such as compassion, selflessness, and community. The stories address various social issues of the time while also capturing the magical and sentimental aspects of the holiday season. The collection as a whole is a significant contribution to Victorian literature and has become a cherished part of Christmas traditions for readers around the world.