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heyimaghost's review
5.0
The Cricket on the Hearth is the last of the more well-known Christmas books that Dickens wrote. There are two after it, but those (The Battle of Life and The Haunted Man) are not even included in all collections of his Christmas books and are often neglected by all except Dickens aficionados. Still, even being in the big three, its popularity has waned, especially compared to A Christmas Carol. This is probably due to our changing sensibilities. Like most of Dickens’ works, it relies heavily on coincidence, miscommunication, and sentimentality. The coincidence is less heavy-handed as, say, Oliver Twist, but the miscommunication and sentimentality come in double to make up for that. Miscommunication is still a common plot device in storytelling, but sentimentality seems to be the greatest sin an author can commit.
Despite all this, it happens to be my favorite of his Christmas books. Well, okay, it competes with A Christmas Carol every year, but it’s up there for me. Comparing the two is pointless though, as they’re not the same type of story at all. They do share a common thread of the “Scrooge” character, but it’s downplayed in The Cricket on the Hearth, and as I plan to show, Tackleton isn’t really as much of a “Scrooge-type” as the author would have you believe.
The story is one of hearth and home, and as such, deals with family and marriage. Like any good story, there has to be conflict, and with most stories of family and marriage that conflict is deception. The issue of adultery is dealt with, which if I’m not mistaken, is a rare topic for Dickens. I think he might deal with it in Dombey and Son, but only slightly. It’s also been a good many years since I read it. I can understand why he might want to shy away from it, but if anyone knows of other instances, I’d be glad to be reminded.
The main conflict is based on a slight deception between a carrier and his wife (on the wife’s side), which leads to a rather important miscommunication; and of course, since it’s Dickens, everything works out in the end, reputations intact. There are two other conflicts tied into the main one. One dealing with Caleb Plummer and his blind daughter Bertha. Plummer, who works for Tackleton as a toymaker, has painted the world his daughter lives in as better than it is, taking advantage of her blindness to make her think their poor, spare life is bright and easy. It’s an innocent deception, and really adds nothing to the story. Frankly, I could do without it, but if it adds nothing, it certainly takes nothing away--except for the readers time, I suppose. The other conflict, which ties much closer to the main story, is the marriage of Tackleton to May Fielding, much his junior and a schoolfellow of Dot (the carrier’s wife). This mirrors John and Dot’s marriage, in that there is, as well, a disparity in age. The titular character (the cricket) comes about in the last “chirp” and sets everything right in the end, even the bitter, old Tackleton, making a very Scrooge like change.
Spoilers will follow from this point.
I have two thoughts about this book that tend to differ from popular opinion, and the first one is in regards to Tackleton. The first time I read the novel, I viewed him as the villain, though even then I’d have said it’s a bit harsh of a title. After viewing him again and again over the years, having read the novel six or seven times now, I’ve changed my opinion on him. He is an old grouch, yes, but there’s nothing really Scrooge like in him. When first introduced, Dickens goes through the trouble of explaining that if he had pursued a different line of work, better suited to his personality, he would likely be an amiable fellow by this time in his life. He (Dickens) even drops a hint that his parents had put him in the toymaking business, which to me implies that toymaking was in the family line. So, from the outset, he’s a man who was forced into following the family business against his will. Secondly, he seems, in his own way, to be a compassionate sort of fellow. When he reveals Dot’s deception to John, he doesn’t seem to revel in causing misery, though he does seem to enjoy being right; and in the last chapter, it feels heartfelt when he wishes he could give John joy. There is also the un-Scrooge-like fact that he plans to give Caleb Plummer a ride home from the carrier's house. I think he wants to be kind, but finds it difficult. I don't think he has a jovial nature certainly, but I don't think he's truly mean-spirited. Furthermore, his low opinion of himself gives me some sympathy for him. Berta thinks quite highly of him (because of her father’s deceptions), and because of this, as Dickens points out, he thinks very low of her mental capacity. There is, of course, the wedding he’s "forcing" upon May Fielding, but unlike a true villain, I do not get an impression that he delights in causing turmoil or even expects that he will. He strikes me as lonely in his old age, and hopes to find companionship in this marriage. He does not love her, and knows she does not love him; however, he does look forward to a certain bliss in his marriage. There is also his attitude towards the wedding ring when he finds out May has married Edward Plummer. Instead of trying to sell it or return it for part of his money back, he asked the servant girl to kindly dispose of it in the fire. I think, with loneliness and missed opportunities of his youth, he’s become an eccentric grouch, but by no means a bad man. So, considering his change at the end, it’s really not much of one. He’s simply feeling defeated by disappointment and longing for connection, and when he shows how friendly he can be, he’s just showing a side of himself that was always there. Loneliness and routine have simply buried it.
The second thought I have that people tend to disagree with me about is the identity of the narrator. Popular opinion seems to tend towards Bertha as the narrator. I’ve never understood that. The final paragraph reads thus: “But what is this! Even as I listen to them, blithely, and turn towards Dot, for one last glimpse of a little figure very pleasant to me, she and the rest have vanished into air, and I am left alone. A Cricket sings upon the Hearth; a broken child's-toy lies upon the ground; and nothing else remains.” I’ve heard that this story is a vision given to Bertha by the cricket/fairy, but I think what is much more likely is that it is the baby, as a grown man, being given a vision of his parents. There is one instance of a vision John is given of his life with Dot, going all the way to his death. I can’t help but think that Dot and John have passed, and their son is perhaps cleaning out and getting ready to sell their family home. I think the broken toy indicates this as well, while also alluding to a continued relationship with the Plummer family and Tackleton. The cricket is allowing a vision of when these people’s relationships intertwined and they perhaps became a close-knit group that he remembers fondly. It’s not really important, but I just get annoyed by seeing explanations of the final paragraph as a vision for Bertha without any evidence.
Despite all this, it happens to be my favorite of his Christmas books. Well, okay, it competes with A Christmas Carol every year, but it’s up there for me. Comparing the two is pointless though, as they’re not the same type of story at all. They do share a common thread of the “Scrooge” character, but it’s downplayed in The Cricket on the Hearth, and as I plan to show, Tackleton isn’t really as much of a “Scrooge-type” as the author would have you believe.
The story is one of hearth and home, and as such, deals with family and marriage. Like any good story, there has to be conflict, and with most stories of family and marriage that conflict is deception. The issue of adultery is dealt with, which if I’m not mistaken, is a rare topic for Dickens. I think he might deal with it in Dombey and Son, but only slightly. It’s also been a good many years since I read it. I can understand why he might want to shy away from it, but if anyone knows of other instances, I’d be glad to be reminded.
The main conflict is based on a slight deception between a carrier and his wife (on the wife’s side), which leads to a rather important miscommunication; and of course, since it’s Dickens, everything works out in the end, reputations intact. There are two other conflicts tied into the main one. One dealing with Caleb Plummer and his blind daughter Bertha. Plummer, who works for Tackleton as a toymaker, has painted the world his daughter lives in as better than it is, taking advantage of her blindness to make her think their poor, spare life is bright and easy. It’s an innocent deception, and really adds nothing to the story. Frankly, I could do without it, but if it adds nothing, it certainly takes nothing away--except for the readers time, I suppose. The other conflict, which ties much closer to the main story, is the marriage of Tackleton to May Fielding, much his junior and a schoolfellow of Dot (the carrier’s wife). This mirrors John and Dot’s marriage, in that there is, as well, a disparity in age. The titular character (the cricket) comes about in the last “chirp” and sets everything right in the end, even the bitter, old Tackleton, making a very Scrooge like change.
Spoilers will follow from this point.
I have two thoughts about this book that tend to differ from popular opinion, and the first one is in regards to Tackleton. The first time I read the novel, I viewed him as the villain, though even then I’d have said it’s a bit harsh of a title. After viewing him again and again over the years, having read the novel six or seven times now, I’ve changed my opinion on him. He is an old grouch, yes, but there’s nothing really Scrooge like in him. When first introduced, Dickens goes through the trouble of explaining that if he had pursued a different line of work, better suited to his personality, he would likely be an amiable fellow by this time in his life. He (Dickens) even drops a hint that his parents had put him in the toymaking business, which to me implies that toymaking was in the family line. So, from the outset, he’s a man who was forced into following the family business against his will. Secondly, he seems, in his own way, to be a compassionate sort of fellow. When he reveals Dot’s deception to John, he doesn’t seem to revel in causing misery, though he does seem to enjoy being right; and in the last chapter, it feels heartfelt when he wishes he could give John joy. There is also the un-Scrooge-like fact that he plans to give Caleb Plummer a ride home from the carrier's house. I think he wants to be kind, but finds it difficult. I don't think he has a jovial nature certainly, but I don't think he's truly mean-spirited. Furthermore, his low opinion of himself gives me some sympathy for him. Berta thinks quite highly of him (because of her father’s deceptions), and because of this, as Dickens points out, he thinks very low of her mental capacity. There is, of course, the wedding he’s "forcing" upon May Fielding, but unlike a true villain, I do not get an impression that he delights in causing turmoil or even expects that he will. He strikes me as lonely in his old age, and hopes to find companionship in this marriage. He does not love her, and knows she does not love him; however, he does look forward to a certain bliss in his marriage. There is also his attitude towards the wedding ring when he finds out May has married Edward Plummer. Instead of trying to sell it or return it for part of his money back, he asked the servant girl to kindly dispose of it in the fire. I think, with loneliness and missed opportunities of his youth, he’s become an eccentric grouch, but by no means a bad man. So, considering his change at the end, it’s really not much of one. He’s simply feeling defeated by disappointment and longing for connection, and when he shows how friendly he can be, he’s just showing a side of himself that was always there. Loneliness and routine have simply buried it.
The second thought I have that people tend to disagree with me about is the identity of the narrator. Popular opinion seems to tend towards Bertha as the narrator. I’ve never understood that. The final paragraph reads thus: “But what is this! Even as I listen to them, blithely, and turn towards Dot, for one last glimpse of a little figure very pleasant to me, she and the rest have vanished into air, and I am left alone. A Cricket sings upon the Hearth; a broken child's-toy lies upon the ground; and nothing else remains.” I’ve heard that this story is a vision given to Bertha by the cricket/fairy, but I think what is much more likely is that it is the baby, as a grown man, being given a vision of his parents. There is one instance of a vision John is given of his life with Dot, going all the way to his death. I can’t help but think that Dot and John have passed, and their son is perhaps cleaning out and getting ready to sell their family home. I think the broken toy indicates this as well, while also alluding to a continued relationship with the Plummer family and Tackleton. The cricket is allowing a vision of when these people’s relationships intertwined and they perhaps became a close-knit group that he remembers fondly. It’s not really important, but I just get annoyed by seeing explanations of the final paragraph as a vision for Bertha without any evidence.
jennd_18's review against another edition
4.0
Though a little more awkward than Dickens' usual, this is still a cute story. Maybe I'm too used to his twists to be surprised any more, but Mr Peerybingle's reaction really is beautiful and sweet.
I saw a lot of reviews comparing this to Christmas Carol. If you're on the fence about reading this because it is perceived as inferior to Christmas Carol, let me try to explain. It's like a movie adaptation of a book you love. If you go into the theater expecting the greatness of the book, you usually walk out disappointed at least, possibly passionately grumpy. This story was never meant to be on the level of Christmas Carol. If you can accept that and just want a light, quick read (rare for Dickens), give it a try.
This review is brought to you by a bias reader. Dickens is my favorite (beside Diana Wynne Jones). I am telling you upfront, it is nowhere close to his best. But, it still has his prose, charming characters, and fun metaphors (cricket included, I'm partial to the clock).
I saw a lot of reviews comparing this to Christmas Carol. If you're on the fence about reading this because it is perceived as inferior to Christmas Carol, let me try to explain. It's like a movie adaptation of a book you love. If you go into the theater expecting the greatness of the book, you usually walk out disappointed at least, possibly passionately grumpy. This story was never meant to be on the level of Christmas Carol. If you can accept that and just want a light, quick read (rare for Dickens), give it a try.
This review is brought to you by a bias reader. Dickens is my favorite (beside Diana Wynne Jones). I am telling you upfront, it is nowhere close to his best. But, it still has his prose, charming characters, and fun metaphors (cricket included, I'm partial to the clock).
bikes_books_yarn's review
4.0
I keep trying to write a review for this without using the word "charming" and I just can't do it. I had to remind myself that this was Charles Dickens and not Oscar Wilde - It just reminded me of Oscar Wilde. Yup. It was charming.
jfkaess's review against another edition
3.0
I am a fan of Dickens but had just a bit if trouble following this. Perhaps because i listened to the audiobook.
jennyp0208's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Dickens never disappoints!
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
brunhjerte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
pershie13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great holiday read that I read in a few days around Christmas. It covers the story of John and Dot, a married couple with a large age gap who are coming upon their wedding anniversary. They take in a stranger to their house. Meanwhile, they also have relationships with a poor man named Caleb and his blind daughter Bertha, as well as a grumpy toymaker Mr. Tackleton. Tackleton is about to get married to a girl named May. Meanwhile, Caleb works for Tackleton and is essentially his daughter's eyes, describing the world around her since she cannot see. This story shows the love and tension in their various relationships while following the general format of Dickens' Christmas short stories. This was a fun read with a great ending, and I enjoyed picking up this quick read toward the end of the year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Gun violence