Synopsis: "Dickens gave his first formal expression to his Christmas thoughts in his series of small books, the first of which was the famous "Christmas Carol." There followed four others: "The Chimes," "The Cricket on the Hearth," "The Battle of Life," and "The Haunted Man." The five are known today as the "Christmas Books." Of them all the "Carol" is the best known and loved, and "The Cricket on the Hearth," although third in the series, is perhaps next in popularity, and is especially familiar to Americans through Joseph Jefferson's characterisation of Caleb Plummer.
The title creature is a sort of barometer of life at the home of John Peerybingle and his much younger wife Dot. When things go well, the cricket on the hearth chirps; it is silent when there is sorrow. Tackleton, a jealous old man, poisons John's mind about Dot, but the cricket through its supernatural powers restores John's confidence and all ends happily."
My Review: I did not enjoy this book as much as I would have expected. I am not sure if it was because I listened to the audio version and the british accent and not so great voice characterizations turned me off or if it was just the story. It might be because of the time period this book was written, but there is just so much useless explanations that I lost track of what the story was supposed to be about, along with the fantasy touches in what seems to be a more realistic type story, threw me off the story again. Once you weeded through all the extra nonsense it was a nice story about finding and holding on to love through misunderstandings.
The title creature is a sort of barometer of life at the home of John Peerybingle and his much younger wife Dot. When things go well, the cricket on the hearth chirps; it is silent when there is sorrow. Tackleton, a jealous old man, poisons John's mind about Dot, but the cricket through its supernatural powers restores John's confidence and all ends happily."
My Review: I did not enjoy this book as much as I would have expected. I am not sure if it was because I listened to the audio version and the british accent and not so great voice characterizations turned me off or if it was just the story. It might be because of the time period this book was written, but there is just so much useless explanations that I lost track of what the story was supposed to be about, along with the fantasy touches in what seems to be a more realistic type story, threw me off the story again. Once you weeded through all the extra nonsense it was a nice story about finding and holding on to love through misunderstandings.
My Rating: It was okay for me, I guess for others it is a tradition for this season but it won't be for me. I am glad it was such a short book to listen to otherwise I probably would have given up on it. I give it a rating of One Paw and a Stump Wag.
No comments:
Post a Comment