A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens’s story of a Christmas miracle that has inspired generations of readers to grasp the spirit of Christmas. Dickens’ remarkable story introduces us to characters we find comfortably familiar and painfully recognizable. Through the lens of A Christmas Carol, readers can see the pathetic result of apathy, greed, and inhospitable behavior.
The avarice of the irascible Ebenezer Scrooge has given us a name for those whose heart is not in the holiday season. We call them “Scrooge.” The noble Dickens offers the greedy, old miser Ebenezer Scrooge a chance at redemption. The theme gives A Christmas Carol universal appeal because we all seek redemption when we, like Scrooge, see the error and grave impact of our selfish ways.
A Christmas Carol is reread and relived on stage and screen each year by thousands of seekers. They seek the holiday spirit and a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Charles Dickens rewards their search in his timeless Christmas classic.
Where to find and enjoy A Christmas Carol?
Read the Book
The easiest way to relive Dickens’ story of Christmas is by picking up a copy of the book. New or used, you will only pay a few dollars. Young readers and those who find Dickens’s words a muddle of old English can enjoy A Christmas Carol in one of hundreds of rewrites and adaptations.
Since it’s in the public domain, you have many options for finding it, both free and paid:
Also Read
Free Options:
- Project Gutenberg: This is a fantastic resource for free ebooks. You can find “A Christmas Carol” in various formats (ePub, Kindle, plain text) here: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19337
- Internet Archive: This website has scanned copies of many books, including “A Christmas Carol.” You can read it online or download it in various formats: https://archive.org/details/christmascar00dick
- Planet eBook: Another site offering free ebooks, including “A Christmas Carol” in PDF, ePub, and Mobi formats: https://www.planetebook.com/a-christmas-carol/
- Global Grey ebooks: Offers free downloads in PDF, ePub, and Kindle formats: https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/christmas-carol-ebook.html
Paid Options (for physical copies or enhanced ebooks):
- Amazon: You can find various editions of “A Christmas Carol” on Amazon, including paperback, hardcover, and Kindle versions with features like annotations and illustrations.
- Barnes & Noble: Similar to Amazon, Barnes & Noble offers a wide selection of physical and Nook ebook versions.
- Local bookstores: Don’t forget your local independent bookstores! They often have beautiful editions of classic literature and can offer personalized recommendations.
- Thrift stores and used bookstores: You might find older editions of “A Christmas Carol” at very affordable prices in these places.
A Christmas Carol – The Movies
The list of movie adaptations of A Christmas Carol is also quite extensive. One of the first films was a silent movie released in December 1908 starring Tom Ricketts as Ebenezer Scrooge. In 1910, a seventeen-minute version of the film was released by Edison. Time constraints ground the story down to the essential elements and character of Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Marc McDermott. In 1914, another silent film was released.
Watch a classic movie adaptation of A Christmas Carol on TCM
The 1938 film is considered a classic and can be viewed on December 12, 2009, at 12 pm and Friday, December 25th, at 9 am on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Directed by Edwin L. Marin and featuring Reginald Owen as Scrooge, this is considered by movie mavens the first real US movie adaptation.
Throughout the 1940s, various versions of the film were released on television. The 1938 movie remained an American favorite until the release of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol in 1951. Alastair Sim played Ebenezer, and Glyn Dearman won our hearts as Tiny Tim.
In the 70s, A Christmas Carol was once again picked up by the movie industry, and from that time, various adaptations of the movie, including animations and modern-day take-offs, were produced. Among the most notable are Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), Scrooged starring Bill Murray (1988), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992).
A number of other movie versions of A Christmas Carol were released during the same time period, including one starring George C. Scott as Scrooge. However, none of the movies carry the shadowy impact of the 1938 and 1951 movies and the exhilaration of a transformed Scrooge on Christmas Day.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol in 3D and IMAX, featuring computer-animated imagery and Jim Carey as Scrooge, is currently playing in theaters during the holiday season. Disney’s 2009 version of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is the best version I’ve seen in years. It is suitable for the entire family. It stays accurate to Dickens’ novel, as well as most other versions, without dragging on too long to bore children or creating ghosts that are too scary for children.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol is quite enjoyable, regardless of how many times you have read the book or seen the movie. I recommend it as a must-see for the holiday season. I foresee the Disney version of the movie becoming the unbeatable classic for years to come. That is next to the old black-and-white versions, in my opinion.
Listen to A Christmas Carol
There are many places to listen to “A Christmas Carol,” offering various options to suit your preferences. Here are some popular choices:
Audiobook Platforms:
- Audible: This is a very popular platform with a wide selection of “A Christmas Carol” audiobooks, including versions narrated by famous actors like Hugh Grant. They often have free trials available.
- LibriVox: This is a great option for free audiobooks, as their recordings are in the public domain. You can find several versions of “A Christmas Carol” here, read by volunteers.
- Other Audiobook Retailers: Many other online retailers like Google Play Books, Kobo, and Apple Books also offer “A Christmas Carol” audiobooks.
Podcasts:
- The Merry Beggars: They offer a unique “audio Advent calendar” version of “A Christmas Carol,” with 25 ten-minute episodes released daily during Advent.
- BBC Sounds: The BBC has produced several radio adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” over the years, some of which may be available on their BBC Sounds platform.
- Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Podcast: This is a more recent production by Hope Media Group, offering a fresh take on the classic story.
YouTube:
- You can find many readings of “A Christmas Carol” on YouTube, both by individuals and professional narrators. However, the audio quality can vary.
Libraries:
- Your local library likely has copies of “A Christmas Carol” available as audiobooks, either on CD or through digital lending apps like Libby or OverDrive.
Whether you read the book, watch the movie, or listen to an audio version of A Christmas Carol, it is one surefire way to shake off the holiday mully grubs and get into the holiday spirit.
Remember to introduce your kids and grandkids to this holiday classic so that it can become an inspirational part of their Christmas traditions.
