"When A Christmas Carol was first published in 1843 it was an overnight success, and set a precedent that was to be followed by other Christmas books, including The Chimes (1844) and The Cricket (1845). Each book was published at the same time of year, in the same format, and extolled similar values about the virtues of love, charity and the family unit. But none would achieve the cult status of A Christmas Carol, a book so popular it has become part...

Gary Colledge examines Dickens's novels, letters, and other writings to explore his Christian thought and worldview. Chapters examine Dickens's life and work topically, arguing that Christian faith was front and center in some of what he wrote (such as his children's work The Life of Our Lord) and saliently implicit throughout various other characters and plots. --from publisher description.