"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
I love this quote from Jacob Marley. To me, it sums up the book right there. I am thoroughly loving Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol already. Admittedly, the language is quite different from what I'm used to (but this is often the case with the Classics). I am finding Dickens' prose to be quite poetic. There have been many passages that I have gone back to read a second (and third) time simply because I like the flow of the words.
I like reading the book because there is more in regard to Scrooge's thoughts and opinions on what is going on around him. Although he doesn't want to believe what he is seeing in Marley's ghost - and does, rather hysterically try to sum it up to indigestion - he is quite frightened by the situation. Especially when he sees Marley fly out the window and join the other tortured souls bound in chains and misery.
I am anxious to get back to the book. Although I technically know what happens next I am excited for the richer details of the book.
How are you liking the book so far? Also, I wrote this post with my opinions rather than questions because I haven't been able to find discussion questions for the book. If you have questions you'd like to present, please feel free to do so.
And finally, Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans. Happy Thursday to all else. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the start of the Christmas Season!
I am LOVING A Christmas Carol and I'm so glad I used this readalong as an excuse to finally read it :) Dickens' writing is gorgeous and I can't get enough of it. I definitely agree with what you said about rereading parts. I've been doing that too!
ReplyDeleteThe indigestion part was hilarious!
I am really enjoying this book so far and I can't believe I haven't read it before. I totally agree with everything that has been said about this book so far and I have been rereading parts as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm reading it....and I've asked my bookclub to join in. But they don't blog.
ReplyDeleteI am runnig short on time, so I didn't write a lot, but I am there with you!
my post is here
http://thefridayfriends.blogspot.com/2010/11/too-many-things-too-little-time.html
I am just getting started with this book; I thought I had a copy and couldn't find it and purchased a new copy this week. I will catch up over the next few days and check in again!
ReplyDeleteI just finished this stave last night, I'm reading it to the older kids, the youngest wonders in and out but that's ok. I had forgotten how comical this book is. The kids and I have laughed out loud at various places especially where you mentioned. We are eager to start the next stave.
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