Charles Dickens – The Battle of Life [REVIEW]

Title: The Battle of Life

Author: Charles Dickens

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 116

Rating: 3.5/5

So far, this is the weakest of the Christmas novellas that I’ve read, but that’s not saying too much. Dickens is at his best when he’s writing in shorter formats, at least for me.

I think there’s a reason why it’s not a particularly well-known book, or even one that I’d heard of before I started working through Dickens’ back catalogue. The plotting is okay, but the characters are forgettable at best, and it’s not one that I’m likely to think about again now that I’ve finished. It’s not like The Bells.

Learn more about The Battle of Life.


Charles Dickens – The Cricket on the Hearth [REVIEW]

Title: The Cricket on the Hearth

Author: Charles Dickens

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 82

Rating: 4/5

This is another one of Dickens’ Christmas novellas, and I’ve been very impressed by each one of them. I loved the device of the cricket and the way that the story was separated into chirps, and there’s some excellent character work to sit alongside the strong story line and masterful pacing. It’s definitely one to read.

Learn more about The Cricket on the Hearth.