This wonderful short story introduces us to the old, miserly Scrooge who is more interested in his money-lending and counting the pennies than he is in bothering to celebrate Christmas. Indeed, he revels in mocking it and does not have a good word to say for those who see it as a season of joy and good will. It is Christmas Eve and Scrooge is engrossed in his counting when, all of a sudden, he is visited by the ghost of his long-dead business partner, Marley. He is severely upbraided for his approach to Christmas and is told that he will be visited by three spirits before the night is out, to implore him to mend his ways. Indeed, he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. What effect are they to have on this miserable old man with the dawning of Christmas Day?

Charles Dickens was a spectacularly popular and successful novelist in his day. Yet at the time of this short story, he was in great financial difficulties, trying to support his large and growing family. This was the first of a series of Christmas-themed books. They not only sold handsomely but proved very lucrative for the author. He died in 1870, having separated from his wife twelve years previously. He was born in Kent in 1812. This is the ideal book to read to enter into the spirit of Christmas and learn once again the lesson that it is a time for giving.