A Christmas Carol: Read-Along (Stave 5)

Try as we might, it’s impossible to remove the great big cheesy grin from our face. We’ve officially completed the final part of A Christmas Carol and honestly, has there ever been a more rewarding conclusion in all of literature? We think not. The transformation within Ebenezer Scrooge is both significant and inspirational. One thing’s for sure, Jacob Marley doesn’t mess around when choosing his team of personal motivators (we haven’t seen results of this magnitude since the noble work of SNL’s Matt Foley...)

It’s easy to share Scrooge’s excitement and sense of urgency as we read about his many acts of kindness throughout Stave 5. The act of sending the turkey to the Cratchit home incognito and the act of overwhelming the two charity workers were both done with a wonderful childlike enthusiasm. Most of all we loved Scrooge’s wishful scheme to catch Bob late to work just so his new nature could be all the more appreciated. Bravo Scrooge! And bravo to all those who keep Christmas well!

What a great book and what a fun read along! Thanks again to Dog-Eared & Bookmarked for hosting this event!

Editor’s Note: Added to this year’s required reading was the viewing of the 1999 television adaptation of A Christmas Carol starring Patrick Stewart. We highly recommend this version and are always impressed with its loyalty to the book and the phenomenal performance by Stewart.

A Christmas Carol: Read-Along (Stave 4)

It’s officially week four of A Christmas Carol read-along hosted by by Dog-Eared & Bookmarked and it’s with trembling knees that we dissect the events in Stave 4.  The ghost of Christmas yet to come could very possibly be the scariest creature (with good intentions) in all of literature.  Frankly, we’re shaking in our books.  Fortunately, Scrooge is up to the challenge and actually encourages the final ghost to, “lead on”.  We must do the same.

For us, it was kind of enjoyable to see Scrooge all petrified and disheveled.  For the entirety of this stave, we watch as the ghost of Christmas yet to come, thrusts his will upon Scrooge, or at least his imposing outstretched hand.  Once again the imagery is wonderful as the pair visits several conversations surrounding the death of a thoroughly disliked individual (any guesses who?).  We also pay another visit to the Cratchit residence, although the mood is heart-wrenchingly somber.  Throughout, we see Scrooge quite anxious to know if the future events being displayed are already written in stone.      

At the climatic end, Scrooge grabs hold of the spirit’s hand only to find an empty garment and then a bedpost.  Has Scrooge been given a second chance to write his legacy?  Stay tuned this weekend as we reveal Stave 5 (literature’s worst kept secret) and the remainder of the exciting conclusion.

A Christmas Carol: Read Along (Stave 3)

Welcome back, welcome back! Week three and we’re delighted to see only a few empty chairs this week. We’ll remind everyone that passing notes in class is not allowed and unless you want to share your message with the entire class, wait until after the final bell. Now, please get out your books and turn to Stave Three.

At some point, Stave 3 marks the halfway point of our journey through A Christmas Carol read-along hosted by Dog-Eared & Bookmarked. What better way to mark this arbitrary milestone than with a giant, a smorgasbord of food, and more healthy self reflection. Without hesitation, and at Scrooge’s insistence, the Ghost of Christmas Present sets forth to teach his lesson. The mood throughout this Stave is somber and with the introduction of Bob Cratchit’s family the reader is able to experience a personal aside to Scrooge’s miserliness. Enter one of the most caring, selfless, and inspirational characters in all of literature: Tiny Tim. The scene at the Cratchit’s house is so powerful that it almost overshadows the second scene Scrooge witnesses at his own nephew’s house. While the message is different, the pill is just as difficult to swallow.

It was quite impressive to us how Dicken’s describes the atmosphere on the street as Scrooge and the ghost make their way towards the Cratchit residences. We continue to see the transformation happening in Scrooge, especially as his heart breaks for Tiny Tim. The ghost is relentless in his efforts and even re-quotes Scrooge at one of his most despicable moments in order to prove his point. And then at Fred’s house we see Scrooge desire companionship and game, which in many ways is his most profound change as of yet.

We are left at the end of Stave three with the approach of a hooded figure. The suspense has built to a crescendo and it will take every ounce of our will power to wait another week until we all meet again. Patience is a virtue we must employ… or so we’re told. Class dismissed.

A Christmas Carol: Read-Along

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

Evan’s ESS = 9 out of 10

Erin’s ESS = 9 out of 10

Content = PG (Unfriendly Dispositions, Forewarning Spirits, Multiple Use of the Word Humbug)

Why: Okay, let’s get a few things out on the table.  We know you’ve seen Mickey’s Christmas Carol over a hundred times.  We know you can recite Tiny Tim’s memorable line in your sleep.  We know you’ve mentally judged someone a Scrooge more than once in your life.  Still, what you must realize is that reading A Christmas Carol is as much a part of Christmas as stale fruitcake and yellow snow.  In our house, this novel has become a rich, storied tradition that started just last year...  For this reason we jumped at the chance to participate in the Read-along hosted by Dog-Eared & Bookmarked.  Over the next five weeks we will be diving into the world of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchet, and Tiny Tim. 

Before we lose your attention completely, we present, completely unabridged and in amazing Technicolor, our analysis on Stave 1:

The tone for this entire novel is set within the first two paragraphs.  The reader is given confirmation that Scrooge’s longtime business partner, Jacob Marley, is unequivocally dead (The reader is also able to glimpse the profound humor found in all of Dicken's writing).  Most importantly, we are introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge and shown the extent of his miserly existence.  To further emphasize Scrooge's cruel nature, every other person we encounter stands as his polar opposite: holiday cheer charity, remorse.  We are also reminded why you should never enter a dwelling once its front knocker morphs into a person’s face.

What we especially love about this first stave is the imagery created.  It’s so simple and yet you get goosebumps reading about Marley’s chains echoing throughout the house.  You also get such a great insight into Scrooge’s character through his dialogue.  We loved reading about his appeal to encounter all 3 ghosts at once in order to get things over with quicker.  Finally, we love the perspective that Marley provides in the final sequence.

Sorry for the overabundance of love in this review, but we… thoroughly adore this novel.  Stave 1 sets the table for everything to come and definitely has us anxious to plow ahead.  Until next week….