Charles Dickens Classic: The Chimes

Annotated with a Study of Themes

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Drew Kallen-Keck

Unique to this title is: a study of the themes present in The Chimes

You may, of course, skip all of it and go straight to the main title if you do not want any spoilers and come back later to the beginning.

Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He was born in 1812 in Portsmouth. When his father was sent to jail because of unsettled debt, Dickens had to leave school and get a job in a factory. Although he lacked formal education and never had a chance to finish his schooling, Dickens successfully edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and nonfiction articles, gave lectures and performed readings, and lobbied passionately for social reforms in general, and children's rights in particular.

Dickens is believed to be the best novelist of the Victorian era, and he became very popular during his lifetime. His novels are still widely read and translated.

The story of The Chimes concerns a working class man who comes to believe that he is worthless and worries that working-class people are wicked by nature. On New Year's Eve, some goblins show him visions of what will become of his loved ones if they are allowed to continue believing that they are worthless and wicked.

Enjoy this timeless classic collection!

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Great information

I enjoy the history of Dickens that is apart of this book. It helped me better understand and appreciate his works. The book itself is an interesting short story with themes of self reflection and improvement. The narrator does a really good job with this book.

Wonderful Retelling

Another great classic come alive by an amazing narrator! I felt like I could understand the story better this way!

Interesting

This story takes an unexpected turn or two that the reader does not see coming. The protagonist, Trotter, is a poor fellow just trying to get along and do his best. The only odd thing is that he thinks the chimes are speaking to him. He's really a sympathetic guy and it's easy to feel for him. Dickens knew how to craft a well-told story. I like the narrator and his variety of voices, but every once in a while he repeats himself.

Spirits, Bells and New Year's Eve

The Chimes is another treatment of one of Dickens' favourite themes , the innate ability of mankind to be redeemed. Trotty, our hero has become completely disillusioned with his state until, having eaten some possibly bad tripe he is visited by spirits (or was it just a dream) on New Year's Eve and show him the state and the redeemability of his own life.
The themes and characters are not unlike those we see in A Christmas Carol, although that novel is much better known and, at least in my mind far superior. Still, Dickens is Dickens, and this tale is well worth your time for the magic of Dickens prose, the sharpness of his insight into the Victorian condition and the biting criticism of the privileged classes.
This version is well read by Drew Kallen-Keck and contains a brief introduction that discusses some of the book's major themes.

Interim review

Circumstances right now prevent me from writing an extensive review. I will update my review as soon as I am able.