Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol

The tale of the miserable Ebeneezer Scrooge, and how he came to find humanity, generosity and love, is probably the most famous Christmas story ever written outside the Bible. It is a ghost story and a classic morality tale; the book firmly established Christmas as a time for family, for joy, for generosity, presents and huge lunches, as well as a time of forgiveness and a chance to mend ones ways and set a path for a better life. But in the background are the familiar Dickensian themes of misery, grinding poverty and the appalling living conditions which existed in London at the time. Did Dickens invent the modern version of Christmas with this book? How important is Christianity? Does it matter that it is sentimental? And where have we seen the Ghost of Christmas Past before on Book In? Join Rupert and Charlie as they get in the mood for Christmas past, present and future.