u003cpu003eDesigned to appeal to the book lover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautifully bound pocket-sized gift editions of much loved classic titles. Bound in real cloth, printed on high quality paper, and featuring ribbon markers and gilt edges, Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eWhen u003ciu003eA Christmas Carolu003c/iu003e was first published in 1843 it was an overnight success, and set a precedent that was to be followed by other Christmas books, including u003ciu003eThe Chimesu003c/iu003e (1844) and u003ciu003eThe Cricketu003c/iu003e (1845). Each book was published at the same time of year, in the same format, and extolled similar values about the virtues of love, charity and the family unit. But none would achieve the cult status of u003ciu003eA Christmas Carolu003c/iu003e, a book so popular it has become part of the landscape of the traditional Christmas, or produce a character as extraordinarily memorable. A celebration of Christmas, a tale of redemption and a critique on Victorian society, Dickens atmospheric novella follows the miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge who views Christmas as humbug. It is only through a series of eerie, life-changing visits from the ghost of his deceased business partner Marley and the spirits of Christmas past, present and future that he begins to see the error of his ways. With heart-rending characters, rich imagery and evocative language, the message of u003ciu003eA Christmas Carolu003c/iu003e remains as significant today as when it was first published.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eOriginal illustrations by John Leech, with an afterword by Anna South.u003c/pu003e
