The Cricket on the Hearth ebook

Charles Dickens formalised his Christmas views in a series of little novels, the first of which was the renowned "A Christmas Carol." Following that were four more: "The Chimes," "The Cricket on the Hearth," "The Battle of Life," and "The Haunted Man." The five are now referred to as the "Christmas Books." The title creature serves as a sort of compass for life at John Peerybingle's and his considerably younger wife Dot's house. When things are going well, the cricket on the hearth chirps; when things are bad, it is silent. Tackleton, a jealous old man, poisons John's mind concerning Dot, but the cricket restores John's trust through its magical abilities.