A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Classics

Book excerpt: Charles Dickens overcame much hardship to become the greatest writer of his age. His life story embodies the harsh realities and enduring hope of 19th-century London. He was the eighth child born to a family whose lavish living soon outpaced their income. Eventually, Charles' father was imprisoned for his debts and the twelve-year-old boy was forced to work at a shoe blackening factory. Young Dickens quickly fell into poverty, and this dark experience, along with feelings of abandonment, deeply impacted his societal views, and therefore his writings. Largely self-educated, Dickens became a prolific writer of fifteen novels, five novellas, and regular contributions to several journals. The unexpected popularity of A Christmas Carol-which has never gone out of print-tied him irrevocably to the Christmas season and elevated the holiday to the phenomenon we know today. Readers around the world have been profoundly moved by his story; the mixture of memorable imagery, unequivocal truth, and seasonal charity brings heart-warming cheer to readers young and old. Each of Dickens' festive stories inspires warmth and generosity, reminding us to cherish and encourage peace and goodwill to all.