狄更斯(1812-1870)，继莎士比亚之后对于世界文学影响最大的作家之一。其高超、富有节奏感的叙事方式，生动记录社会现实(英国维多利亚时代)的能力以及作品中积极倡导的人道主义精神，都是狄更斯的标志性特色。代表作包括《匹克威克外传》(1837)、《雾都孤儿》(又名《奥列弗·退斯特》1838)、《老古玩店》(1841)、《马丁·瞿述伟》(1844)、《大卫·科波菲尔》(1850)、《艰难时世》(1854)、《双城记》(1859)、《远大前程》(1861)等。从1843年到1848年间，狄更斯几乎在每年圣诞节都发表一个与节日有关的中篇小说，其中《圣诞颂歌》具有极其特殊的地位：书中的情节和人物在西方家喻户晓，一百多年来积聚的“人气”使其成为狄更斯的小说中最深入人心的一部。文学评论家认为，《圣诞颂歌》的发表是狄更斯的创作生涯中的重大转折点；而社会学家则相信，这部作品深刻地改变了现代圣诞节在西方世界的地位和价值，狄更斯本人也因此被称为“发明圣诞节”的人。

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Book Description

Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title--offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.

This edition of A Christmas Carol includes a Foreword and Biographical Note by Jane Yolen.

Scrooge was a foul old man who wrapped his cold, uncaring heart in chains. Chains of greed. Bigotry. Contempt. Apathy. Selfishness. He detested the world, and was alone. Until the night his long-dead partner Marley appeared.

A hideous spectre forced to walk the earth forever, Marley was damned. As Scrooge would be...unless he agrees to face three ghosts. One would take Scrooge back to the memories he'd buried. One would show Scrooge the world of joy and friendship he'd rejected. One would force Scrooge into the dreadful shadow of the future he'd forged.

Three ghosts of Christmas. Of Christmas Past. Of Christmas Present. Of Christmas Yet to Come. All offering Scrooge a single gift--a chance.

A last chance to give love.

A last chance to join life.

Synopsis:

This complete and unabridged version of Dickens's 1843 classic Christmas tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, his hatred of the world, and his redemption by three ghosts, includes a special foreword, afterword, and biography of the author.

From Publishers Weekly

Purists may object to this careful abridgement of the holiday classic, aimed at young readers who may not have someone around to read the original out loud. Mayer has retained much of the language of Dickens's work, making sensitive cuts in the text and adding lavish paintings of 19th century England. The charactersmice, rabbits, a reptilian Ghost of Christmas Yet to Comewill draw the youngest pre-Dickensian into the story. The gloomy mood of Scrooge's Christmas Eve gives way to warm, welcoming tints the morning after he is visited by the three Spirits and has learned his lesson. It's a charming alternative to most of the TV adaptations that appear throughout December.

From Booklist

Blake's familiar scraggly cartoon-type illustrations done in line and watercolor lend their own decided sense of character and wit to Dickens' classic Christmas tale. Whether of a dour Scrooge crouched over piles of coins, the suffering specter of Jacob Marley rattling his chains, or the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, the pictures are a perfect match for the story. A good selection for collections wanting another version.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Sally Estes

From Library Journal

This does offer two versions of the holiday standard, with the Stewart, Tabori & Chang edition including the original full text (old spellings, etc.) plus more than 75 illustrations?24 in color. The DK version is part of the publisher's new "Eyewitness Classics" collection (Classic Returns, LJ 9/15/97) and features a heavily abridged text and numerous photographs explaining items mentioned in the story (workhouses, nightcaps, etc.) and would serve as an ideal introduction for young readers.

From School Library Journal

The whole of Dickens' classic text is superbly served by Innocenti's paintings of London in the mid-seventeenth century. The artist, using plenty of brown and gray in his full-color palette, depicts the streets crowded with every sort of person--emaciated, hollow-eyed, and ragged, or rich and well-fed--engaged in a multitude of holiday activities. Scrooge's ghosts and spectres, his pathetic dwelling place, and his journey through time are rendered to evoke horror and pity rather than laughter in contrast to Zwerger's much lighter and even humorous treatment (Picture Book Studio, 1988). Text, generously spaced, appears framed on a white page with ochre tints; each page of the five staves or chapters is embellished with a small drawing (pinecone, candle, holly sprig), and the opening of each chapter features a small symbolic picture. A handsome example of the bookmaster's art and one that works well with Dickens' text to bring an historical period as well as the story to life.

From Kurzbeschreibung

This series of readers features adaptations of over 60 classic and popular literary works. Attractive and helpful illustrations clarify vocabulary and reinforce understanding of the stories, while questions and activities at the end of each book test understanding. Words essential to the story are explained within the text, illustrated, and then reused for maximum reinforcement. The books are graded at five vocabulary levels, ranging from 1,400 words (Intermediate) to 5,000 words (Advanced). Young adults from the Intermediate level upwards will enjoy reading the lively stories, and they can progress from level to level as their reading skills develop.

About Author

Considered by many to be the greatest novelist of the English language, Charles John Hummham Dickens was born Februrary 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England. Some of his most populars works include Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations.

Book Dimension:

length: (cm)17.4 　　　 　　　　　 　width:(cm) 10.6