tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post9189613498692132957..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol and the Ghost of Christmas PresentBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-65436053582663479492014-01-03T12:10:31.241-05:002014-01-03T12:10:31.241-05:00Hi Rachel - I saw a stage production of this mysel...Hi Rachel - I saw a stage production of this myself this year. There is really a lot that can be done with this work.<br /><br />It is funny, my wife and I were observing that this may be the most famous non religious story in our culture.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54786468299106176372014-01-03T11:50:42.926-05:002014-01-03T11:50:42.926-05:00Last year, I listened to Tim Curry's reading o...Last year, I listened to Tim Curry's reading of this story and LOVED it. It's amazing to me how different movies / audiobooks can give this story such a variety of meanings. I think in a way this is one of Dickens' most powerful tales because it means so much - and something a little different to each person. It is probably the most re-made story he ever wrote - which also says a lot. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01974988315420539840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52151434311424373082013-12-31T14:31:53.897-05:002013-12-31T14:31:53.897-05:00Hi Jane - I have not read The Pickwick Papers but ...Hi Jane - I have not read The Pickwick Papers but really want to. I am on a Dickens kick so I think that it is in my future. <br /><br />I have very much enjoyed your blog as well as your comments here Jane. I suspect there is some great reading in store for us both in 2014.<br /><br />have very Happy New Year!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-43404761288281747762013-12-31T13:01:25.657-05:002013-12-31T13:01:25.657-05:00It is challenging to review something like A Chris...It is challenging to review something like A Christmas Carol that is so well-known, but I like your comments about Christmas Present. You're right--I can see the pagan influence, Dionysus, and Santa Claus embodied in the creature Dickens describes.<br /><br />FYI, if you're interested in the roots of this story, I've been reading Pickwick Papers and there's a story embedded in it, "The Story of the Goblins<br />Who Stole a Sexton," that reads a lot like the prototype of the Scrooge story.<br /><br />Best wishes for a wonderful 2014, reading and otherwise! I've enjoyed getting to know you this year and your reviews have enriched my reading/writing life.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-78782292696474472712013-12-30T21:29:18.322-05:002013-12-30T21:29:18.322-05:00Hi Lainy - I also had it on my list for a very lon...Hi Lainy - I also had it on my list for a very long time. I finally got around to it!<br /><br />Happy New Year!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-91878538437420048682013-12-30T16:19:36.943-05:002013-12-30T16:19:36.943-05:00I have been meaning to read this for the longest t...I have been meaning to read this for the longest time, perfect for this time of year. I think I will need to be acquiring a copy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Brian. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and a great new year!<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-82481730849062586152013-12-28T16:36:41.681-05:002013-12-28T16:36:41.681-05:00Hi Naida - Sometimes simple is not simplistic!Hi Naida - Sometimes simple is not simplistic!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90271722810006696722013-12-28T11:41:54.073-05:002013-12-28T11:41:54.073-05:00Definitely a favorite Christmas story and as you s...Definitely a favorite Christmas story and as you say, sometimes seemingly simple stories have a lot more to them than we think.<br />Interesting thoughts on The Ghost of Christmas Present.The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-53010773080833009052013-12-25T11:40:10.135-05:002013-12-25T11:40:10.135-05:00Merry Christmas Guy! Very happy with the choices f...Merry Christmas Guy! Very happy with the choices from Yourself and Emily! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-21962793446869040112013-12-25T11:37:11.254-05:002013-12-25T11:37:11.254-05:00Just stopped in to say Happy Xmas Brian and that I...Just stopped in to say Happy Xmas Brian and that I hope you like the choices we made for the virtual book exchange.Guy Savagehttp://www.swiftlytiltingplanet.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55784793794546434582013-12-24T18:57:13.301-05:002013-12-24T18:57:13.301-05:00Happy Holidays Harvee!Happy Holidays Harvee!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-2976426262023267072013-12-24T18:50:54.380-05:002013-12-24T18:50:54.380-05:00Happy holidays, Brian! Happy holidays, Brian! Harveehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490108303790217277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89067793870474354142013-12-24T18:21:21.603-05:002013-12-24T18:21:21.603-05:00Hi Sandra - Thanks for stopping by! Oddly enough I...Hi Sandra - Thanks for stopping by! Oddly enough I had never gotten to this before. It is so interesting what one can discover during a reread.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-86027080149694183672013-12-24T12:12:33.987-05:002013-12-24T12:12:33.987-05:00I haven't read this for many years. Thx for th...I haven't read this for many years. Thx for this review, it makes me want to pick it up again. SDAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13450498868536375248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-6344617209452018902013-12-23T17:56:18.920-05:002013-12-23T17:56:18.920-05:00Hi Emma - I think that those aspects apply too. Pe...Hi Emma - I think that those aspects apply too. Perhaps that relates a little to the Dionysian aspect of it. <br /><br />Je te souhaite un Joyeux Noël et Bonne Annee!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-40910368204950469632013-12-23T14:53:45.749-05:002013-12-23T14:53:45.749-05:00Very interesting take on this story. When I read t...Very interesting take on this story. When I read the description, I also thought that it was a "carpe diem" description. By his outfit and his attitude, his ghost seems to tell us to make the most of the present, to live at peace with the past and not fear the future or let thoughts about the future or the past spoil your present. <br /><br />Je te souhaite un Joyeux Noël.<br /><br />EmmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-8887044638988625252013-12-22T10:58:19.376-05:002013-12-22T10:58:19.376-05:00Hi James - Dickens used a lot of symbolism. Withou...Hi James - Dickens used a lot of symbolism. Without a doubt his entire theory behind Christmas celebration and good cheer fell under the umbrella of "illumination" verses the darkness of greed, anger, resentment, etc. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-12148059422952499492013-12-22T10:55:26.579-05:002013-12-22T10:55:26.579-05:00Hi Lee - Anne - I can see how this character could...Hi Lee - Anne - I can see how this character could be modified into a ringleader type.<br /><br /><br />Have a great holiday!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-13131207578532142942013-12-22T09:25:15.714-05:002013-12-22T09:25:15.714-05:00I enjoyed your thoughtful comments on this familia...I enjoyed your thoughtful comments on this familiar and favorite Dickens' story. The idea of illumination that you mention struck me as one that is important throughout the story. For example, contrasting the opening poorly heated and poorly lit workplace of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit to the "illuminated" celebration on Christmas Day. Dickens always fascinates while entertaining.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-1562211833607455362013-12-22T08:15:04.635-05:002013-12-22T08:15:04.635-05:00Hello, Brian! I really enjoyed this post. You re...Hello, Brian! I really enjoyed this post. You really made your reading of the character personal which adds to the entire story. I saw a theatrical production of the story a few weeks ago and the character of Christmas Present had been made into a sort of circus ringleader. It seemed incongruous to me then, but now I understand how some of the same joyous exuberance of pleasure and decadence was captured in the character. <br /><br />Have a wonderful holiday, Brian! Lee-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04270201592696284797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-31173226976408268062013-12-21T20:43:24.405-05:002013-12-21T20:43:24.405-05:00Hi Tom - This work really does exude a holiday moo...Hi Tom - This work really does exude a holiday mood!<br /><br />No need to apologize. We all get busy. Sometimes it is so hard to fit this stuff in! <br /><br /><br />Have a Merry Christmas!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55951531037974582712013-12-21T18:03:38.323-05:002013-12-21T18:03:38.323-05:00It is indeed a rather wonderful read and I am plea...It is indeed a rather wonderful read and I am pleased that you enjoyed it. <br /><br />Please forgive my neglect of your blog in recent months. I've been doing other things this year but hope to return to book reviewing next year. In the meantime I wish you a very happy Christmas. Tom Cunliffehttp://www.acommonreader.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-91092760056411685782013-12-21T14:04:59.752-05:002013-12-21T14:04:59.752-05:00Hi Guy - Thats how I felt about this one until thi...Hi Guy - Thats how I felt about this one until this year!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-21194341461644970062013-12-21T14:04:28.702-05:002013-12-21T14:04:28.702-05:00Hi Harvee - I figured why not dig a little deeper ...Hi Harvee - I figured why not dig a little deeper here since the less supernatural characters have been talked about endlessly.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-59845287983643173262013-12-21T12:05:02.816-05:002013-12-21T12:05:02.816-05:00I've always meant to read this at Xmas but nev...I've always meant to read this at Xmas but never have. I always intend to watch Xmas films too. I think you're spot on with your analysis Brian. Guy Savagehttp://www.swiftlytiltingplanet.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com