A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol ePub

A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

The book was written and published in early Victorian era Britain when it was experiencing a nostalgic interest in its forgotten Christmas traditions, and at the time when new customs such as the Christmas tree and greeting cards were being introduced. Dickens' sources for the tale appear to be many and varied but are principally the humiliating experiences of his childhood, his sympathy for the poor, and various Christmas stories and fairy tales.

The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim. It has been credited with restoring the holiday to one of merriment and festivity in Britain and America after a period of sobriety and sombreness.