狄更斯(1812-1870)，繼莎士比亞之後對於世界文學影響最大的作傢之一。其高超、富有節奏感的敘事方式，生動記錄社會現實(英國維多利亞時代)的能力以及作品中積極倡導的人道主義精神，都是狄更斯的標誌性特色。代錶作包括《匹剋威剋外傳》(1837)、《霧都孤兒》(又名《奧列弗·退斯特》1838)、《老古玩店》(1841)、《馬丁·瞿述偉》(1844)、《大衛·科波菲爾》(1850)、《艱難時世》(1854)、《雙城記》(1859)、《遠大前程》(1861)等。從1843年到1848年間，狄更斯幾乎在每年聖誕節都發錶一個與節日有關的中篇小說，其中《聖誕頌歌》具有極其特殊的地位：書中的情節和人物在西方傢喻戶曉，一百多年來積聚的“人氣”使其成為狄更斯的小說中最深入人心的一部。文學評論傢認為，《聖誕頌歌》的發錶是狄更斯的創作生涯中的重大轉摺點；而社會學傢則相信，這部作品深刻地改變瞭現代聖誕節在西方世界的地位和價值，狄更斯本人也因此被稱為“發明聖誕節”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