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Posted November 11, 2014 by Amy in Books
 
 

Penguin Christmas Classics Review

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PGCM5-penguin-christmas-set-angle-1200

 

This Christmas, classic favorites get a new look – a perfect gift for those tough to buy for people on your list.

Of course, we’ve all heard of the classic Christmas stories – and most of us know the gist of how things play out as well. For many, movie viewings of stories like The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol are a beloved part of our holiday traditions. But how many of us have actually read those books? After all, they’re classics for a reason (and it’s not just because they look good on your coffee table). This Christmas, why not give a gift that is truly classic (or better yet, pick one up for yourself).

There are a number of holiday stories that really get right to the heart of what Christmas means for many of us. Penguin Christmas Classics is a republishing of these old classics, presented in a way that makes them perfect for gifting. Each of the books is packaged in a lovely red and white holiday slipcover featuring various robin and holly berry designs. They all have the same general look and size, making them a perfect gift alone, or as a set.

The books included are what most of us would consider the iconic stories of the holidays. The Nutcracker, reproduced again and again as everything from ballets and cartoons to children’s books and toys, is the action filled story of a young girl who receives a nutcracker as a holiday gift. The Night Before Christmas is a Ukrainian tale featuring a battle between the devil and a blacksmith, and is standard holiday reading for many in Russia and the Ukraine. A Merry Christmas: And Other Christmas Stories is a compilation of holiday tales from beloved author Louisa May Alcott, and Christmas at Thompson Hall: And Other Stories features the writings of English novelist Anthony Trollope.

Finally, there is perhaps the most beloved of all holiday stories: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Who of us hasn’t enjoyed the grumblings of Ebenezer Scrooge and the plaintiff cry of Tiny Tim? Though the many different movie adaptations do well to pay homage to the basic idea of Dickens’ tale, there is simply nothing like reading the words as they were originally intended, without the need to make it worthy of the screen. It’s a story that appeals to a variety of ages, and only gets better with each reading.

Whether you’re looking to explore the classics yourself, or just need the perfect gift for the book lover in your life, Penguin Christmas Classics offers the iconic stories we all know and love, presented perfectly for holiday giving.


Amy

 
U.S. Senior Editor & Deputy EIC, @averyzoe on Twitter, mother of 5, gamer, reader, wife to @macanthony, and all-around bad-ass (no, not really)