Dickens-The Cricket on the Hearth

With the publication of A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens almost single-handedly created the genre of the Christmas story. And while that beloved classic remains among the best known in the field Dickens also wrote a number of other delightful tales associated with Yuletide. This volume features three of the best. Combining realism with fantasy and with kindness and affection for the poor a dominant theme they include the title story a charming tale of a pleasant and simple home life; The Holly-Tree a lighthearted story of love reclaimed in a quiet country inn; and The Haunted House an entertaining account of a belligerent ghost's effect on the lives of those with whom he shares a home. Written with Dickens's familiar flair for characterization comic incident and the picturesque these stories will delight readers with their unusual charms and nostalgic re-creation of Victorian Christmases past.