The Cricket on the Hearth

A Fairy Tale of Home

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

In the 1840s, Charles Dickens wrote five short stories with strong social and moral messages. "The Cricket on the Hearth: A Fairy Tale of Home", is the third of these stories. Following the home life of John Peerybingle, the story introduces the many people in John's family and life, along with a cricket that acts as the guardian angel of the family. Like its predecessors, this story also contains heavy social and moral implications. However it differs from A Christmas Carol and The Chimes, in that its main theme focuses on actions that affect the family, rather than action affecting society as a whole.

Public Domain (P)2016 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Ahh, That's Right!

Delightful, heartwarming tale, complete with it's last scene which does indeed add a twist to the story, making this truly "A Fairy Tale Of Home". I have also the 2013 version, read by another popular narrator, which is missing the last scene. This 2016 Simon Prebble version is infinitely better than any previous! Not only does it have the missing last bit, but Mr Prebble, the best of all when it comes to Dickens, gives it a wonderful, warm read, and gifts us with his trademark living characters.
Come, sit by the fire and be warmed by Simon Prebble and Charles Dickens.