The idea of this exercise is not to deconstruct Mr. Dickens’ life or work but rather to lift the veil on the creative process. Without question, Charles Dickens remains one of the most widely published and cherished novelists of all time. More than two hundred years after his birth, his popularity has not wavered. And A Christmas Carol is arguably his best-known publication thanks to numerous editions of the book, retellings in various print media, dramatic stage performances, and beloved film adaptations. Each time there is a new interpretation, we find another nuance we never suspected. It is an endlessly fascinating story!
It is also not the object of this volume to affect the wonderful reputation that A Christmas Carol enjoys. But rather its intent is to see where and how this story came about and how it helped to shape the history of the holiday season in the Western world for more than a century and three quarters, and most likely beyond.
I have only dealt with issues pertaining to the book, and have avoided restating obvious facts about Mr. Dickens’ domestic and personal history (except where they influenced the work). It was not my goal to publish a biography of Mr. Dickens (there are too many good ones referenced in this book), but rather to focus on the writer, his process, and his creation.
I also included Mr. Dickens’ performances of the work because they were an ongoing part of his creative relationship with the material that he kept reinventing.
That, and like Charles Dickens, I love the holidays.
—C. DeVito
January 1, 2014