Dickensblog

Revisiting the Jarndyces

As part of a series in the Guardian about families in literature, Daniel Gooding has written about the Jarndyce family in Bleak House. He suggests, "And however difficult you may find your own family, just remember that it could be a whole lot worse."

A Unitarian, a rabbi, and a capitalist . . .

. . . no, not "walked into a bar." They all gave their varying takes on A Christmas Carol in recent days. The different points of view make for interesting reading! 

Dunnes goes Dickensian

This year, Dunnes Stores in Ireland ran a heartwarming Christmas Carol-themed commercial (see below). This article in the Irish Independent tells the story behind the ad. John Spain writes, "Given that A Christmas Carol was written by Dickens over 170 years ago, it is remarkable that the words work so well in a modern context. But somehow they do."

Catching up with Mark Dickens

This interview with Mark Charles Dickens (which I believe originally ran in National Geographic) discusses not only his famous great-great-grandfather, but also what other members of the family -- and a few fake members! -- are up to these days.

The best and worst of Scrooge

Word & Film has an article up giving their picks for the best and worst film adaptations of A Christmas Carol (and including a couple of little-seen versions!). What do you think of their choices? Agree or disagree?

Merry Christmas!

"Now, the tree is decorated with bright merriment, and song, and dance, and cheerfulness. And they are welcome. Innocent and welcome be they ever held, beneath the branches of the Christmas Tree, which cast no gloomy shadow! But, as it sinks into the ground, I hear a whisper going through the leaves. 'This, in commemoration of the law of love and kindness, mercy and compassion. This, in remembrance of Me!'"

"A Christmas Tree"

I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas. As a special Christmas treat, courtesy of the Moving Image Archive, here's a 1910 film version of A Christmas Carol -- all 10 minutes and 25 seconds of it -- starring Marc McDermott as Scrooge. Enjoy!

A 'Christmas Carol' quiz

The Mirror is running "The Ultimate Scrooge Quiz," based on the 1951 film. (H/T The Buzfuz)

If you need help, Fox Movie Channel is running the film continuously (with 12-minute breaks between airings) until about 3 ET this morning, and then again tomorrow from 3 to 11 p.m. ET. I'd have mentioned it before, but I didn't know about it until tonight!

TCM alert

Oliver! will air this afternoon at 2:45 ET. 

'A Christmas Carol' and the Gospel

WGY News Radio has a new interview with Cheryl Kincaid, author of Hearing the Gospel through Charles Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol.'

What you might not know about Dickens and Christmas

Lauren Laverne of the Guardian has written one of the best articles I've ever seen on Dickens and Christmas (and that's saying something). She goes beyond what everyone already knows and probes some deeper Dickensian ideas about the holiday. Here's a sample:

"It’s pretty hard not to remember the dead at Christmas, but Dickens goes further. He is adamant that we should use the day to celebrate other losses, like our failures, abandoned plans and ruined relationships. In the same essay he says: 'Welcome, old aspirations, glittering creatures of an ardent fancy… Welcome, all that was ever real to our hearts; and for the earnestness that made you real, thanks to Heaven!' Every time I read it I wonder why we don’t do more of that. We love the idea of Scrooge’s transformation, but this kind of self-acceptance and equanimity is probably more useful to most people."