A Christmas carol and other festive stories

Everyone knows the story of Scrooge and the three spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve, to remind the old miser of what he once was and could be.

Everyone knows about Bob Cratchit and poor Tiny Tim, about 'Bah humbug!' and 'God bless us, everyone'.

But do you remember the ghoulish clanking chain that terrifies Scrooge in his lonely rooms in the dark night?

The terrible regrets of Jacob Marley? The fun of Fezziwig's ball or the family cheer at the Cratchit's Christmas dinner?

Do you remember that the Ghost of Christmas Present is a stern giant in green, or the foreboding dark presence of the Ghost of Christmas.

Yet to Come? Forget the adaptations, read the original story for a dose of Dickens' genius and wild energy, and for the ending, which is sheer and unashamed joy.