I confess, I just could not get through the holiday without Charles Dickens. I have found that, in general, people either love or hate Dickens. There doesn't appear to be a lot of middle ground. If you are unsure about him please give The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain it is much scarier than A Christmas Carol and just as long.
The Dickens I know and love does come through, this story is about the spirit of Christmas more than the holiday itself. The main character, Mr. Redlaw is consumed by grief over the wrongs done to him in life. Rather than an actual ghost he is haunted by a phantom twin who helps him to spread bitterness to others around him. Forgetfulness is the Phantom's solution for skipping the sadness in one's life but it becomes a curse that Redlaw spreads to others. Milly is Dickens typically perfectly good female character, she and a young boy are immune to the curse. They are instrumental in leading Redlaw to the change that makes him more loving and humble in the end.
I read this story from The Ultimate Christmas Collection on my Kindle. Gutenberg has it in several formats as well. You can also download it for free here, where you can take part in a discussion forum.
Showing posts with label A Christmas Carol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Christmas Carol. Show all posts
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Day 21 Christmas Story
A special seasonal short story from Louisa May Alcott. The Christmas Dream, is my most recent Christmas read. It is the story of ten year old Effie, a rich girl who has already grown tired of Christmas. She is no longer excited by the gifts or the treats. Her mother suggests that she read A Christmas Carol and learn a lesson from "old Scrooge".
Effie finds the book in the family library and reads straight through the rest of the day. That night she has a dream of her own where she meets a Christmas Spirit who shows her many poor people and the miracles that grace their lives. When she wakes Effie wishes to make miracles of her own. Effie's mother promises a surprise and is busy making plans in secret although she does allow Effie and her nurse to do some of the shopping. At last Christmas has arrived and there is a surprise of grand scale awaiting the little girl.
I won't spoil the surprise for you, you really must read this story for yourself. You can read it online or print it out at Hymns and Carols of Christmas here, or order it as an ebook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It can be purchased on a CD from either of those book dealers for around $5. Perhaps tonight you will dream of the perfect Christmas, too.
Effie finds the book in the family library and reads straight through the rest of the day. That night she has a dream of her own where she meets a Christmas Spirit who shows her many poor people and the miracles that grace their lives. When she wakes Effie wishes to make miracles of her own. Effie's mother promises a surprise and is busy making plans in secret although she does allow Effie and her nurse to do some of the shopping. At last Christmas has arrived and there is a surprise of grand scale awaiting the little girl.
I won't spoil the surprise for you, you really must read this story for yourself. You can read it online or print it out at Hymns and Carols of Christmas here, or order it as an ebook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It can be purchased on a CD from either of those book dealers for around $5. Perhaps tonight you will dream of the perfect Christmas, too.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Day 13 Christmas Story
A wonderful period piece with a beautiful message is my offering today. The Christmas Angel (1910) by Abbie Farwell Brown brings our focus down to the importance of the holiday and will remind you of A Christmas Carol.
It is Christmas Eve but Miss Terry is bitter and alone living in her childhood home. Her brother has sent a note hoping to see her, but she has refused. She sits before the fireplace on this special night sorting an old box of toys while her servant goes out to see the candlelit homes and hear the carolers. Many of the treasures of her past are discarded into the fire. Some of the toys, however, she uses to conduct an experiment on the state of human greed. One by one she places them outside and hides behind the curtains to see what happens. Each of these toys is taken away in some manner reinforcing her low regard for her fellow man.
Despite a resolve to rid her home and memory of these old childhood toys she cannot toss the pink Christmas angel into the fire. Soon the angel speaks to Miss Terry and takes her to see what has become of the cast off toys. Her icy heart melts and she is ready to celebrate Christmas in some surprising ways.
This story is positive, although the beginning is sad, and well worth an evening's read, I highly recommend it. This short story, 104 pages, is free for the Kindle or to read on your computer. It can also be found on Google Books.
It is Christmas Eve but Miss Terry is bitter and alone living in her childhood home. Her brother has sent a note hoping to see her, but she has refused. She sits before the fireplace on this special night sorting an old box of toys while her servant goes out to see the candlelit homes and hear the carolers. Many of the treasures of her past are discarded into the fire. Some of the toys, however, she uses to conduct an experiment on the state of human greed. One by one she places them outside and hides behind the curtains to see what happens. Each of these toys is taken away in some manner reinforcing her low regard for her fellow man.
Despite a resolve to rid her home and memory of these old childhood toys she cannot toss the pink Christmas angel into the fire. Soon the angel speaks to Miss Terry and takes her to see what has become of the cast off toys. Her icy heart melts and she is ready to celebrate Christmas in some surprising ways.
This story is positive, although the beginning is sad, and well worth an evening's read, I highly recommend it. This short story, 104 pages, is free for the Kindle or to read on your computer. It can also be found on Google Books.
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