A Christmas Carol

by

 

Charles Dickens

 

The author Charles Dickens  (February 7, 1812-June 9, 1870), pen-name "Boz", was an English novelist. During his lifetime, Dickens was viewed as a popular entertainer of fecund imagination, while later critics championed his mastery of prose, his endless invention of memorable characters and his powerful social sensibilities. The popularity of his novels and short stories during his lifetime and to the present is demonstrated by the fact that none has ever gone out of print. Dickens played a major role in popularising the serialised novel. He is remembered by many as the greatest writer of his time. He is frequently referred to by his last name only, even on first reference

(From Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

 

The work A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens' "little Christmas Book" first published on December 17, 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. The story met with instant success, selling six thousand copies within a week. Originally written as a potboiler to enable Dickens to pay off a debt, the tale has become one of the most popular and enduring Christmas stories of all time.

In fact, some historians have suggested that the very popularity of this story played a critical role in redefining the modern importance of Christmas and the major sentiments associated with the holiday.

(From Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

 

The work online

 

 

http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/christmas-carol/