A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
b"For this year\\u2019s Backlisted Christmas Special we are joined by the poet and novelist Clare Pollard and our producer Nicky Birch to discuss not just a book, but adaptations of a book \\u2013 and there are hundreds to choose from \\u2013 and all have contributed to making it perhaps the most famous Christmas story of them all:\\xa0A Christmas Carol\\xa0by Charles Dickens. Written in six weeks in 1843, it\\xa0was a massive and immediate success, selling out its first run of 6,000 copies by Christmas Eve. It has been in print ever since and has come to define the festive period for millions of readers, listeners and viewers. We explore why and how this fable \\u2013 terrifying in parts, warm and reassuring in others \\u2013 has exerted such a hold on our collective imagination. We each pick a favourite version (you\\u2019ll have to listen to find out which) but also range over others from Richard Williams\\u2019 celebrated 1971 animation to those featuring Mister Magoo and Ebeneezer Blackadder. Plus Andy has compiled a special festive playlist for you to listen to over the mulled wine and marzipan fruits. There never was such an episode!\\xa0\\n\\nAnd finally, on this most special of days, we\\u2019d like thank you all for your support during the year and to wish you: A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!\\n\\xa0\\n* To purchase any of the books mentioned in this episode please visit our bookshop at\\xa0uk.bookshop.org/shop/backlisted\\xa0where all profits help to sustain this podcast and UK independent bookshops.\\n* For information about everything mentioned in this episode visit\\xa0www.backlisted.fm\\n*If you'd like to support the show and join in with the book chat, listen without adverts, receive the show early and with extra bonus fortnightly episodes, become a Patreon at\\xa0www.patreon.com/backlisted\\n*You can sign up to our free monthly newsletter http://bit.ly/backlistednewsletter\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices"