The greatest story ever written -- "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens -- was published on this date, December 19th, 181 years ago, in 1843.
I re-read "A Christmas Carol" every year at this time, usually via audio though sometimes with my eyes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Carol
I am listening to two versions this year. I started with the Patrick Stewart version because I love him, and I have never listened to that one. However, it's abridged and altered for his performance.
I liked it, but I had to listen to another to get the full effect.
I listened to this version also, which is not only unabridged, but it's nearly an hour longer due to special effects, carols, and pacing. The large cast as opposed to a single narrator is great. Very enjoyable. I also add to my library a version narrated by Hugh Grant, but I doubt I want to do THREE versions, despite how much I love this story.
Though I have not considered my forthcoming argument compared to other stories, I have been asserting that "A Christmas Carol" is the mostly finely crafted, well-written, most enjoyable, and favorite stories of all time. If I were to think about it, maybe I could think of other comparable stories or those for which the argument could b made from an artistic point of view as superior to this Dickens tale. However, when one considers longevity and influence, the way that this story rejuvenated the celebration of Christmas and fixed many of its traditions in stone, then there is no contest. This story reigns supreme.
I am listening to two versions this year. I started with the Patrick Stewart version because I love him, and I have never listened to that one. However, it's abridged and altered for his performance.
I liked it, but I had to listen to another to get the full effect.
A Christmas Carol (Simon & Schuster Edition)
- Narrated by: Patrick Stewart
- Length: 1 hr and 47 mins
- Abridged Audiobook
- Release date: 09-25-06
- Language: English
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
I listened to this version also, which is not only unabridged, but it's nearly an hour longer due to special effects, carols, and pacing. The large cast as opposed to a single narrator is great. Very enjoyable. I also add to my library a version narrated by Hugh Grant, but I doubt I want to do THREE versions, despite how much I love this story.
A Christmas Carol
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Cranham, Roger Allam, Brendan Coyle, Miriam Margolyes, Tim Mcinnerny, Jamie Glover, Emily Bruni, Jenna Coleman, Joshua James, Hugh Skinner
- Length: 3 hrs and 31 mins
- Radio/TV Program
- Release date: 12-04-18
- Language: English
- Publisher: Audible Originals
Though I have not considered my forthcoming argument compared to other stories, I have been asserting that "A Christmas Carol" is the mostly finely crafted, well-written, most enjoyable, and favorite stories of all time. If I were to think about it, maybe I could think of other comparable stories or those for which the argument could b made from an artistic point of view as superior to this Dickens tale. However, when one considers longevity and influence, the way that this story rejuvenated the celebration of Christmas and fixed many of its traditions in stone, then there is no contest. This story reigns supreme.
Some may find the prose over-wrought with its use of adjectives and adverbs, but not only does this composition conform to the style of the time, but its manner is most appropriate for the tale.
The structure fits the purpose perfectly as the characters are concisely introduced with key detail and elements that are re-used later in the story. Then, the inciting incident of Marley's visit lays in the premise that is then executed in three "staves" as the three spirits visit Scrooge. His transformation is slow and a bit understated, mostly through the character's questions, and then the ending that shows him as a new man unfolds with just enough scenes of the new Scrooge but not overdone in its narrative; there's just enough. This kind of satisfying closure make me happy as I want the important character moments after getting so invested in their lives.
Reading the Wikipedia page, I was unaware of how "A Christmas Carol" was the saving measure of Dickens' life and struggles with debt and supporting a large family. I was also unaware that his story revived Christmas celebration and promoted new traditions that are now taken for granted. Lastly, I did not ever think of the story as a Christian allegory as the saving of the awful sinner. The Christian theme is hardly overt or possibly even the real intent of Dickens' work. Why can't a transformation be of a spiritual or personal kind without being Christian?
The story is my favorite piece of fiction, and I love having this tradition of re-reading it annually (or at least listening to it, which I may like even better in this case).
Thanks for tuning in.
Happy Christmas!
Here's my other Dickens posts, two of which (#2866 and #1396) are reprinted below.
LOW POWER MODE: I sometimes put the blog in what I call LOW POWER MODE. If you see this note, the blog is operating like a sleeping computer, maintaining static memory, but making no new computations. If I am in low power mode, it's because I do not have time to do much that's inventive, original, or even substantive on the blog. This means I am posting straight shares, limited content posts, reprints, often something qualifying for the THAT ONE THING category and other easy to make posts to keep me daily. That's the deal. Thanks for reading.
A Sense of Doubt blog post #2866 - Hear Neil Gaiman Read A Christmas Carol Just Like Charles Dickens Read It
I always read/listen to "A Christmas Carol" at least once each year at this time of the season. Now, I have to explore Gaiman's reading as I usually listen to one of the half dozen I have saved in my library, usually the one by Tim Curry.
A Sense of Doubt blog post #1396 - Christmastime Is Here - part two
Okay, I am putting this here, just because I want to remember it
Hello, time for a bit more Christmas cheer.
Normally, I do a musical mix today. I have many in various states of completion ready to go. Maybe the best use of some free time while off the daily grind of blog broadcast will be to prepare ahead some of these treasures, such as a revisit of the Jam mix with commentary on each song; the Coccteau Twin mix, which is mostly complete; and others like the one I just started with Sinead O'Connor's "Fourth and Vine" as the core or the mix I have been playing for at least a year with Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" as the foundation.
So today, I thought I would start the Christmas theme with some of my favorite tunes from the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. I tend to listen to this music year around, but more often at Christmas. After all, "Linus and Lucy" was Liesel and my outro (recessional) music at our wedding.
I love this music.
Watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special is required viewing for me every year.
Also required, the re-read -- these days on audio -- of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I will be doing so very soon. Or perhaps a reading via YOU TUBE.
OR... I just bought it on AMAZON. Here's a clip.
or this....
I have sampled many versions of A Christmas Carol, but so far the one narrated by Tim Curry is my favorite.
MY PEANUTS MIX
There's a couple of songs in the mix on You Tube not featured in the individual videos below, but scroll down for LoFi and other goodies!!
So, as I complete some other original materials and also do my jobs for which I am paid, presumably, then here's some of the GREATEST music EVER WRITTEN.
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1812.17 - 10:10
- Days ago = 1262 days ago
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The story is my favorite piece of fiction, and I love having this tradition of re-reading it annually (or at least listening to it, which I may like even better in this case).
Thanks for tuning in.
Happy Christmas!
Here's my other Dickens posts, two of which (#2866 and #1396) are reprinted below.
Friday, December 23, 2022
Monday, December 17, 2018
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
LOW POWER MODE: I sometimes put the blog in what I call LOW POWER MODE. If you see this note, the blog is operating like a sleeping computer, maintaining static memory, but making no new computations. If I am in low power mode, it's because I do not have time to do much that's inventive, original, or even substantive on the blog. This means I am posting straight shares, limited content posts, reprints, often something qualifying for the THAT ONE THING category and other easy to make posts to keep me daily. That's the deal. Thanks for reading.
A Sense of Doubt blog post #2866 - Hear Neil Gaiman Read A Christmas Carol Just Like Charles Dickens Read It
I always read/listen to "A Christmas Carol" at least once each year at this time of the season. Now, I have to explore Gaiman's reading as I usually listen to one of the half dozen I have saved in my library, usually the one by Tim Curry.
I had planned to reprint my Dickens-tastic post on Christmas Day.
Thanks for tuning in.
https://www.openculture.com/2022/12/hear-neil-gaiman-read-a-christmas-carol-just-like-charles-dickens-read-it.html
In Christmases past, we featured Charles Dickens’ hand-edited copy of his beloved 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. He did that hand editing for the purposes of giving public readings, a practice that, in his time, “was considered a desecration of one’s art and a lowering of one’s dignity.” That time, however, has gone, and many of the most prestigious writers alive today take the reading aloud of their own work to the level of art, or at least high entertainment, that Dickens must have suspected one could. Some writers even do a bang-up job of reading other writers’ work: modern master storyteller Neil Gaiman gave us a dose of that when we featured his recitation of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” from memory. Today, however, comes the full meal: Gaiman’s telling of A Christmas Carol straight from that very Dickens-edited reading copy.
Gaiman read to a full house at the New York Public Library, an institution known for its stimulating events, holiday-themed or otherwise. But he didn’t have to hold up the afternoon himself; taking the stage before him, BBC researcher and The Secret Museum author Molly Oldfield talked about her two years spent seeking out fascinating cultural artifacts the world over, including but not limited to the NYPL’s own collection of things Dickensian. You can hear both Oldfield and Gaiman in the recording below. But perhaps the greatest gift of all came in the form of the latter’s attire for his reading: not only did he go fully Victorian, he even went to the length of replicating the 19th-century literary superstar’s own severe hair part and long goatee. And School Library Journal has pictures. The story really gets started around the 11:00 mark. Gaiman’s reading will be added to our list of Free Audio Books. You can find the text of Dickens’ classic here.
Neil Gaiman reads "A Christmas Carol" - New York Public Library
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2212.23 - 10:10
- Days ago = 2730 days ago
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https://www.openculture.com/2022/12/hear-neil-gaiman-read-a-christmas-carol-just-like-charles-dickens-read-it.html
Hear Neil Gaiman Read A Christmas Carol Just Like Charles Dickens Read It
in Audio Books, Literature | December 15th, 2022In Christmases past, we featured Charles Dickens’ hand-edited copy of his beloved 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. He did that hand editing for the purposes of giving public readings, a practice that, in his time, “was considered a desecration of one’s art and a lowering of one’s dignity.” That time, however, has gone, and many of the most prestigious writers alive today take the reading aloud of their own work to the level of art, or at least high entertainment, that Dickens must have suspected one could. Some writers even do a bang-up job of reading other writers’ work: modern master storyteller Neil Gaiman gave us a dose of that when we featured his recitation of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” from memory. Today, however, comes the full meal: Gaiman’s telling of A Christmas Carol straight from that very Dickens-edited reading copy.
Gaiman read to a full house at the New York Public Library, an institution known for its stimulating events, holiday-themed or otherwise. But he didn’t have to hold up the afternoon himself; taking the stage before him, BBC researcher and The Secret Museum author Molly Oldfield talked about her two years spent seeking out fascinating cultural artifacts the world over, including but not limited to the NYPL’s own collection of things Dickensian. You can hear both Oldfield and Gaiman in the recording below. But perhaps the greatest gift of all came in the form of the latter’s attire for his reading: not only did he go fully Victorian, he even went to the length of replicating the 19th-century literary superstar’s own severe hair part and long goatee. And School Library Journal has pictures. The story really gets started around the 11:00 mark. Gaiman’s reading will be added to our list of Free Audio Books. You can find the text of Dickens’ classic here.
Neil Gaiman reads "A Christmas Carol" - New York Public Library
Note: An earlier version of this post appeared on our site in December 2014.
Related Content:
An Oscar-Winning Animation of Charles Dickens’ Classic Tale, A Christmas Carol (1971)
Charles Dickens’ Hand-Edited Copy of His Classic Holiday Tale, A Christmas Carol
Hear Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Read by His Great-Granddaughter, Monica
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities, the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles and the video series The City in Cinema. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2212.23 - 10:10
- Days ago = 2730 days ago
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A Sense of Doubt blog post #1396 - Christmastime Is Here - part two
Okay, I am putting this here, just because I want to remember it
LA BEAT GENERATION AND THE CATALAN MYSTICAL POTS
https://elspotolsmistics.blogspot.com/Hello, time for a bit more Christmas cheer.
Normally, I do a musical mix today. I have many in various states of completion ready to go. Maybe the best use of some free time while off the daily grind of blog broadcast will be to prepare ahead some of these treasures, such as a revisit of the Jam mix with commentary on each song; the Coccteau Twin mix, which is mostly complete; and others like the one I just started with Sinead O'Connor's "Fourth and Vine" as the core or the mix I have been playing for at least a year with Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" as the foundation.
So today, I thought I would start the Christmas theme with some of my favorite tunes from the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. I tend to listen to this music year around, but more often at Christmas. After all, "Linus and Lucy" was Liesel and my outro (recessional) music at our wedding.
I love this music.
Watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special is required viewing for me every year.
Also required, the re-read -- these days on audio -- of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I will be doing so very soon. Or perhaps a reading via YOU TUBE.
OR... I just bought it on AMAZON. Here's a clip.
or this....
I have sampled many versions of A Christmas Carol, but so far the one narrated by Tim Curry is my favorite.
MY PEANUTS MIX
There's a couple of songs in the mix on You Tube not featured in the individual videos below, but scroll down for LoFi and other goodies!!
So, as I complete some other original materials and also do my jobs for which I am paid, presumably, then here's some of the GREATEST music EVER WRITTEN.
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| Christmas St. Antoine 2011 - two months after we moved in |
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1812.17 - 10:10
- Days ago = 1262 days ago
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2412.19 - 10:10
- Days ago: MOM = 3457 days ago & DAD = 113 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
- Days ago: MOM = 3457 days ago & DAD = 113 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
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