Preface

Stave I: Marley's Ghost

Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits

Stave III: The Second of the Three Spirits

Stave IV: The Last of the Spirits

Stave V: The End of It

Coldhearted Ebenezer Scrooge has no use for Christmas cheer. He rejects a dinner invitation from his jolly nephew, scolds charity workers, and very begrudgingly allows his clerk a day off. All the warmth and joy of the holiday are humbug to Scrooge until Jacob Marley, his long-dead business partner, pays a call. Marley's spirit is the first in a series of ghostly visitors who offer visions of the past, present, and future?warnings that transform a bitter old miser into a charitable and compassionate man.
First published in 1843, A Christmas Carol was an instant success and has remained a holiday favorite ever since. The story has been adapted many times for stage and screen, but no version surpasses the sheer delight of Charles Dickens's original novella. As much a part of the season as holly, mistletoe, and evergreen wreaths, this immortal tale continues to charm readers with its message of generosity and goodwill.
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After a childhood blighted by poverty, commercial success came early to Charles Dickens (1812?70). By the age of 24, he was an international sensation whose new novels were eagerly anticipated. Two centuries later, Dickens's popularity endures as readers revel in the warm humanity and rollicking humor of his tales of self-discovery.