Of Charles Dickens’s 5 Christmas Books the best known, which needs no commentary from me, is ‘A Christmas Carol’. I have no need to read it again to scan Charles Keepings’s illustrations for my Folio Society edition of 1988. The introduction is by Christopher Hibbert.
Here are the illustrated pages.
This evening we dined on succulent chicken Kiev; crisp oven chips; firm cauliflower and runner beans, with moist ratatouille. Jackie finished the Cotes de Gascogne and I drank Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Fascinating illustrations. My 20 volume undated set of Dicken’s Complete Works also has remarkable illustrations, but quite different than these. Merry Christmas to you and your family Derrick. Wishing you all health and happiness.
Thank you very much, Cindy. Your good wishes reciprocated.
Excellent illustrations, interesting characterization.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Merry Christmas, my dearest friend Derrick!Excellent illustrations!
Thank you very much, Sofia, and as happy a Christmas as possible to you and yours.
Such atmospheric illustrations – wonderful reminders of ‘Christmas Past’!
Happy Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks very much, Emma. Your good wishes reciprocated
I think I need to dig out my copy of A Christmas Carol . . .
Thanks very much, Liz
I love the illustrations! If only our politicians could be visited by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. 🙂
A good wish, Lavinia. Thank you very much
Oh, if only!
Haunting illustrations! Sher and I hold your country in our thoughts and prayers as the virus seems to be putting up a last ditch effort in its relentless attack on the earth. Have a safe and Merry Christmas Derrick and Jackie!
Very many thanks, Maj. Your good wishes returned
A story for all times.
Indeed. Thank you very much, Rosaliene
I greatly enjoyed looking at the detail in these moody illustrations!
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Absolutely stunning illustrations
Thanks very much, Gary.
Love these illustrations, Derrick. Thanks for sharing with us!
And thanks for reading and commenting, Becky
Merry Christmas to you and Jackie and i wish you both all the best for the coming New Year! 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola. Your good wishes reciprocated
One of my favorites! Wonderful illustrations.
Thanks very much, Laurie. Mine, too
God bless us every one, and bless you for sharing these with us!
Thanks very much, Linda. Another neat reference
Great illustrations 😉
Thanks very much, Ribana.
Thank you for sharing these illustrations – a timely reminder to us all of the true value of Christmas and a reason to count the blessings we have already enjoyed despite the dismal mantle of the year.
Thank you so much, Anne
OH! A fav story!!! And what wonderful illustrations!!! 🙂
There is no bah-ing or humbug-ing when it comes to your blog posts, Derrick! You and Jackie always bring joy and smiles to me! 🙂 Thank you!!! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
And, Derrick is so faithful with his posts, Carolyn. <3
X
So true! I look forward every day to seeing what he posts! 🙂
That is much appreciated
Thank you so much, Carolyn – from us both
What an author! That book alone gives him his place in great literature, but Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations……..
Does it make me a bad person that whenever I see the last title, my mind immediately goes “Great Expectorations”?
My Mum’s favourite, Yvonne
Yay! I am in the family. <3
🙂
Thanks a lot, John
Wonderful illustrations.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Fantastic illustrations. Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
And thank you, Jill
A classic that will always be with us!!
Yes, indeed, GP. Thanks very much
Those are fantastic, Derrick! Thank you for sharing, and have a wonderful Christmas!
Thanks very much, Anna. You, too
Wonderful illustrations, Derrick!
Last year we saw an actor performing A Christmas Carol–it was intended to be similar to how Dickens would have done it in his own reading/performances.
Thanks very much, Merril
I like the illustrations.
Happy Christmas and new year, Derrick, to you and your family.
And to you and yours, Val. Thanks very much
Have a lovely Christmas and stay safe Derrick.
And to you both, Lindsey. Thanks very much
One of my favourite stories of all time. I featured it on ABAB last year – love the newer illustrations you have shown though I think it’s hard to beat the originals. Merry Christmass to you and Jackie, Derrick. I will think of you, tucking into the dish prepared by the culinary queen, whilst you finish off the Merlot and she opens a fresh crate of Hoegaarden!
And to you and Mrs B, Mike. Cheers
Thank you Derrick for these pages
Christmas without Dickens is impossible
ps: I will be able to iron more often when I am well installed at home, because everything is not yet in place
I wish you a happy holiday season, but be careful
You, too, Yoshimi. Thanks very much.
I love these. Thanks Derrick – have a Merry…
Thanks a lot Sherry.
These are extraordinary, and they will never end. Merry Christmas, Derrick.