Review: A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

One of Charles Dickens' best known books is certainly also one of his most memorable, poignant and best loved works. I am, of course, referring to 'A Christmas Carol'. Its influence is easily seen throughout modern Western culture in one form or another (particularly during the festive season); in dozens of theatre productions, in silver-screen movies, as an opera, and most prolifically in film including adaptations such as 'The Muppet Christmas Carol', 'Mickey's Christmas Carol', 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past', and most recently 'A Christmas Carol' starring Jim Carrey.

What impact does this extensive media exposure have for the first-time reader?

Boo ya! (Got your attention)

There have been very few times in my life where I have been able to say this with any sincerity: I have nothing to say. No new news! 


I finished book two of George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series - an epic fantasy series, compelling reading - but I can't bring myself to read book three. I literally feel sick at the graphic descriptions of wounded/maimed characters, and the inclusion of a character who is known for his penchant for 'flaying' his victims (ie: skinning them alive) makes me feel woozy. 
I'm reading 'The Once and Future King' by T.H. White, which is immensely enjoyable! But I can only read it

Ripped off and...um...annoyed

After an absence of a year or more, I decided to reacquaint myself with the Berwick Market at Akoonah Park this weekend, my motivation being to trade in some unwanted books for some second hand copies of other books on my list. The stall owner gave me a $10 credit for some of the books I traded in, and with the help of some of our own dosh, I walked away with second hand copies of the following:

Excitement!

First up, it's not my fault. I defy any book-lover to spend any reasonable amount of time on bookdepository.co.uk and NOT buy a dozen or so books. That said, ... I've got a dozen (or so) books winging their way to me as we speak! So exciting!

In the next week, I'll hold in my hot little hands the following literature: The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton
Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton
The Awakening, Kate Chopin
The Tale of Genji, Murasaki Shikibu
The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka
Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens