Charles Dickens's novella A Christmas Carol is…

Charles Dickens's novella A Christmas Carol is first published in London on December 17 by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.

Released on December 19, it will sell out by Christmas Eve.

Dickens has written A Christmas Carol during a period when the British are exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols and newer customs such as Christmas trees.

He is influenced by the experiences of his own youth and by the Christmas stories of other authors including Washington Irving and Douglas Jerrold.

Dickens had written three Christmas stories prior to the novella, and had been inspired following a visit to the Field Lane Ragged School, one of several establishments for London's street children.

The treatment of the poor and the ability of a selfish man to redeem himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are the key themes of the story.

There will be ongoing discussion among academics as to whether this is a fully secular story, or if it is a Christian allegory.