Published the year after THE CHRISTMAS CAROL, Dickens followed up that popular book with this novella. It is the second of five Dickens Christmas books. This story is divided into four parts. These divisions remind the reader of the "quarters" -- or quarter-hour chimes of a striking clock.
A working-class man comes to believe that he is worthless and that working-class people, by their nature, are wicked. However, on New Year's Eve, some goblins show Trotty Veck what will happen to his loved ones if he continues to believe they are sinful and worthless. Thus, this story shares a common thread with THE CHRISTMAS CAROL. By seeing the future, Trotty can learn something about himself and others.
This novella is sad in parts. I can see why this story never gained the traction of Dicken's first Christmas story. But, as is in a Charles Dickens story, there is a heavy layer of social justice woven into the tale.
I noted Charles Dickens' large vocabulary as I listened to his story. Generally, Dickens' tales were serialized in newspapers and sold in pieces each week. He certainly didn't talk down to his audience. The excellent Richard Armitage read this selection.
A working-class man comes to believe that he is worthless and that working-class people, by their nature, are wicked. However, on New Year's Eve, some goblins show Trotty Veck what will happen to his loved ones if he continues to believe they are sinful and worthless. Thus, this story shares a common thread with THE CHRISTMAS CAROL. By seeing the future, Trotty can learn something about himself and others.
This novella is sad in parts. I can see why this story never gained the traction of Dicken's first Christmas story. But, as is in a Charles Dickens story, there is a heavy layer of social justice woven into the tale.
I noted Charles Dickens' large vocabulary as I listened to his story. Generally, Dickens' tales were serialized in newspapers and sold in pieces each week. He certainly didn't talk down to his audience. The excellent Richard Armitage read this selection.
