Humbug! Humbug! Humbug! One of Scrooge’s most memorable lines. However, A Christmas Carol is anything but.          

The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy, selfish banker, who is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Marley. Marley visits Scrooge on Christmas Eve to warn him about the evils of an unloving life. He then explains that three ghosts will come after him: The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. Through these ghosts, Scrooge is able to view himself objectively and the decisions he made which led to him live the life that he does.           

A Christmas Carol was written in 1843, so the language can occasionally trip one up. However, it only enhances the joy of the story. The characters are memorable to the point of being unforgettable. ‘Scrooge’ is now used as an adjective. Being mostly composed of quick vignettes, this keeps things tight and the readers on their toes. Even if you’re already familiar with the story, everyone should read the book at least once!