Is classic of classics, the best known. The most read and seen story, tale, story and film of these dates. Is he A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens. The works of this illustrious English author are immortal, but this is possibly the best known and recognized.

He was the first to write about Christmas and the following were overshadowed by the immense popularity of his lord Scrooge. I prefer these other three of the five that are: Chimes, The bewitched y The home cricket. If you didn't know them, check them out. They are not bullshit ...

It cannot be absent on these dates and it never fails. We have remembered it for as long as we can remember. It is the most famous Christmas story. We have seen it in a thousand versions and adaptations of drawings and films. And we see it again because, simply, it does not tire. The story of the greedy and unpleasant Ebenezer Scrooge, his partner Jacob Marley, his employee Bob Cratchit and their son little Tim, and those three ghosts of the past, the present and the future always dazzle.

But, as we have said, Dickens wrote other stories set at this time of year. All maintain the main features that permeate the Dickensian work. So we have the touch of fantasy, portraiture and social criticism, ironic humor, happiness of home and destiny, who treats each one as they deserve. Let's look at these three.

The chimes

Published in 1844, is also known as The bells. And his story is quite similar to A Christmas Carol.

Trotty, nickname Toby Veck, is a man poor and old man who makes a living as a messenger, delivering packages anywhere in London. Ha lost faith in Humanity, for all the evil and misery that it sees around. On a new years eve You will have a paranormal experience in the church bell tower where you usually spend time waiting for a delivery. There He is visited by spirits that will help him regain that faith and they will show him that no one is born evil, but that crime and poverty are things that man creates.

The cricket on the hearth

De 1845. It's a fantastic tale in which a cricket is transformed into successive fairies. The story takes place in three days and is divided into three songs. The cricket, a symbol of peace in humble homes, is the central axis of the story. In the first song, the cricket is happy. In the second, he is silent and in the third, he sings again. It is almost a prose poem about home life and family affection, an outline of the lives of ordinary people.

The haunted man

Published in 1848. Also know as The bewitched and the deal with the ghost, The haunted man y The possessed, is a short novel. Reminds a lot of A Christmas Carol.

Professor Redlaw is lonely, taciturn, and pessimistic who likes to complain about the damage they do to him and the tribulations he has suffered. One night a spirit very similar to him appears to him and suggests that he forget that pain, damages and problems. The teacher hesitates at first, but then agrees. So runs out of memories from the worst of his past, but becomes much more bitter and angry without knowing how to explain it. That bitterness extends to his servant Swidgers, the Tetterby family, and their student. And everyone is also furious like him. The only one who seems calm is Milly, Swidgers' wife.

The novel ends with everything goes back to normal and Redlaw, also like Mr. Scrooge, turned into a new, kinder, more compassionate man.

Why read them

Dickens is synonymous with the best literature. And of Christmas. Are more reasons needed for these dates and for anyone?

So from here I wish you a very Merry Christmas to all the readers of Actualidad Literatura. Have a great time with very good books.