This phrase refers to the 2008 biography The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens Wrote A Christmas Carol by Les Standiford. It explores the genesis of Dickens’s beloved novella, A Christmas Carol, detailing the author’s personal and financial circumstances leading up to its creation in 1843, as well as the societal context of Victorian England. The book also delves into the writing process itself, revealing how Dickens conceived, drafted, and published the story in a remarkably short period.
Standiford’s work offers valuable insights into the creative process of a literary giant, highlighting the social commentary embedded within A Christmas Carol. It clarifies how the novella’s themes of compassion, generosity, and social responsibility resonated with Victorian society and continue to hold relevance today. The book also underscores the enduring impact of Dickens’s story, demonstrating how it significantly shaped modern Christmas traditions and popularized many of its now-familiar tropes.
