Our book group choice for January 2014 is A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. It’s a classic tale well known by all. Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn’t like…and hardly a man he does.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a bitter, old miser who hates Christmas. He is so mean and stingy that he even refuses to give his clerk, Bob Cratchit, a raise. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who has been condemned to wander the Earth for eternity because of his own greed and selfishness. Marley warns Scrooge that he will suffer the same fate unless he changes his ways.
That night, Scrooge is visited by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge scenes from his own childhood and youth, revealing how he became so cold and heartless. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the joy and happiness that Christmas brings to others. And the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge a vision of his own death and the indifference of those who will mourn him.
A Christmas Carol is a classic tale of redemption and transformation. It is a story that has been told and retold countless times, but it never loses its power to inspire. The book’s message is simple but profound: it is never too late to change your ways and become a better person.
In addition to its timeless message, A Christmas Carol is also a beautifully written and engrossing story. Dickens’s prose is vivid and imaginative, and his characters are complex and relatable. The book is full of memorable scenes, such as Scrooge’s visit to his nephew’s house, his journey through the Ghost of Christmas Past’s memories, and his vision of his own death.
Here are some additional thoughts on the book:
- A Christmas Carol is a story about the power of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Scrooge is a changed man after he is visited by the three spirits, and he learns to love and care for others.
- The book also explores the themes of greed, selfishness, and redemption. Scrooge is a selfish man who is only interested in money, but he is eventually redeemed through the love and compassion of others.
- A Christmas Carol is a timeless story that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for generations. It is a story about the importance of family, friends, and the spirit of Christmas.
Discussion Questions for A Christmas Carol
- Considering the rich descriptions, did the book make you hungry?
- Was it a realistic portrait of Victorian Christmas?
- Was your reading of the characters different from the modern versions?
- Is the book about Christmas? The essence of Christmas? Or could it be extracted from the season and still retain its meaning?
- How does it compare with other Dickens novels?
- Why was it so popular?
- What is your favourite part?
- Is it scary? Is it funny?
- What is the significance of Christmas in A Christmas Carol?
- What does the story say about the importance of charity and kindness?
- How does Scrooge’s character change over the course of the story?
- What does the story say about the power of redemption?
- To whom would you recommend this book? For what reasons would you do so? Or perhaps why not?
Individual Ratings
DKB's Rating 
Anthony's Rating 
Baljit's Rating
Sue's Rating
Catherine's Rating
EmmaT's Rating
Miranda's Rating 