A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND OTHER CHRISTMAS CLASSICS

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.