Product Description

The publication of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" coincided with a decade which saw the invention of the Christmas cracker, the first Christmas card and Prince Albert's promotion of the Norwegian Christmas tree. In this volume Simon Callow presents a celebration of the traditional Dickensian Christmas: decorating the house with greenery and lighted candles; hanging kissing boughs and holly wreaths to welcome friends and family; carol-singing - here reflected in words and music; accounts of waistcoat-popping Christmas dinners alongside recipes; and not forgetting Christmas as a time of generosity to those less fortunate. The volume also contains the text of "A Christmas Carol" in its entirety.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #357628 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

About the Author
Simon Callow is a highly acclaimed actor, director and author. As well as his theatre and television work, he has made film appearances in Shakespeare in Love, Four Weddings and a Funeral, A Room with a View and Amadeus. His books include biographies of Charles Laughton and Orson Welles and, most recently, a personal memoir, Love is Where it Falls. He recently played London's West End and toured the UK with his award-winning one-man show The Mystery of Charles Dickens, which will soon be delighting audiences in America.

Customer Reviews

A Charming Present - Not Only for Christmas
Simon Callow is one of Britain's best known (and also best loved actors) - featuring in such films as 'A Room with a View' or 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. He also tours the English speaking world in a programme devoted to Charles Dickens - and this is what makes him such a suitable author for this book.
Nobody needs an introduction to Dickens' masterpiece, it has been turned into a film umpteen times, and also into a musical. It remains the quintessential heartwarming story - not only for Christmas.
Callow not only gives the reader the story of the book/novel/carol, call it what you will, he also paints a vivid picture of the history of Christmas itself (and its pagan roots), gives a short sketch on how Father Christmas got his 'image', a biography of Dickens, and he describes the influence this little book had on British and American culture - not only 'inventing' many Christmas traditions for many people, but also leading to many real-life Scrooges changing their ways at least once a year and give their employees the day off for Christmas.
The book also includes Dickens' complete text and many excellent pictures and illustrations. All in all then - a very nice book (and an excellent present - especially for oneself).

Brilliant!
Being a massive fan of A Christmas Carol (in any form) I treated myself to this book last year. I read it then and I've just read it again and was still enthralled. Simon Callow has written a good book and reference point for all things Dickensian when it comes to Christmas. The actual story is as it should be and never fails to inspire the Christmas spirit. The extra information in the book provides enough information so that you can create a Victorian celebration for yourself.
Go on, treat yourself, you won't be disappointed.