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leic01's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
quirky_engineer's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
loyaultemelie's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As scholars have noted, this little story is essentially the prototype to Dickens' later A Christmas Carol. Having read the Pickwick Papers - from which this story is pulled from - back in September, I have to say the story is more affecting when it is placed back in the original book. If only because the fragmented version I read (from the Penguin Black Spine edition of Dickens' Christmas writings) took out the part before the story in which Dickens talks about Christmas and its nostalgia and joy. In my opinion that is the best part of the Pickwick writings on Christmas. It even brought a bit of tear to my eye. Also, as this just tells the goblin story, you don't see the Christmas antics of the Pickwick club. Which, since this is just the goblin story, perhaps shouldn't be used against it.
thewritebooks's review against another edition
2.0
Read as a Christmassy short gothic story. Didn't realise this was considered part of the Pickwick Papers. Seeing as the only other Dickens I have read is A Christmas Carol, this was very similar, only much shorter and with goblins. Therefore, enjoyed this one more.
isobelle's review
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton was originally published within the novel Pickwick Papers (as a story told by one of the characters) and was the pre-cursor to A Christmas Carol, pre-dating it by several years.
It follows the same lines: a humbug 'Scrooge' character-a grave digger, who hates Christmas, cheer and happy children-is visited by spirits (here in the guise of the original folklore spectres of Goblins) and is shown the error of his ways through visions. It is vividly imagined and has some of the most evocative description I've ever come across in such a small space. The characters are not terribly advanced, but since it is a short story it matters little. A story for all, even those of us who are a little more bah humbug than we are ho ho ho.
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It follows the same lines: a humbug 'Scrooge' character-a grave digger, who hates Christmas, cheer and happy children-is visited by spirits (here in the guise of the original folklore spectres of Goblins) and is shown the error of his ways through visions. It is vividly imagined and has some of the most evocative description I've ever come across in such a small space. The characters are not terribly advanced, but since it is a short story it matters little. A story for all, even those of us who are a little more bah humbug than we are ho ho ho.
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sarahdrh's review
3.0
I like both the plot and the writing. The story isn't perfect but I feel like, it being described as a story that people had been telling for ages, it is really well written which makes a bit up for that and I can't complain about the moral of the story which is definitely a good one in my mind.
shimmikelly's review
3.0
This is the precursor to A Christmas Carol! Dickens seems to love the “bah humbug” to changed man pipeline.
It’s not a full-fledged story, just a simple one, but I like it. The writing is great, of course, and the ending is sweet.
“this story has at least one moral, if it teach no better one—and that is, that if a man turns sulky and drinks by himself at Christmas time… let the spirits be ever so good… as those which Gabriel Grub saw, in the goblin’s tavern.”
It’s not a full-fledged story, just a simple one, but I like it. The writing is great, of course, and the ending is sweet.
“this story has at least one moral, if it teach no better one—and that is, that if a man turns sulky and drinks by himself at Christmas time… let the spirits be ever so good… as those which Gabriel Grub saw, in the goblin’s tavern.”
izzatiidrus's review
3.0
I did not listen to the audiobook, I actually read the story itself in a book full of Dickens' Christmas stories. I just need to write a review for nearly every book I finished reading, and this particular title is hard to find on here, so this will have to do.
The best part of the story was actually the rhymed poem and this remark by Gabriel Grub:
"Brave lodgings for one, brave lodgings for one,
A few feet of cold earth, when life is done,
A stone at the head, a stone at the feet,
A rich, juicy meal for the worms to eat;
Rank grass overhead, and damn clay around,
Brave lodgings for one, these, in the holy ground! "
"A coffin at Christmas! A Christmas box! Ho! ho! ho!"
The rest was not very worth noting for me. Maybe part of me is actually Gabriel Grub, before he was an altered man.
The best part of the story was actually the rhymed poem and this remark by Gabriel Grub:
"Brave lodgings for one, brave lodgings for one,
A few feet of cold earth, when life is done,
A stone at the head, a stone at the feet,
A rich, juicy meal for the worms to eat;
Rank grass overhead, and damn clay around,
Brave lodgings for one, these, in the holy ground! "
"A coffin at Christmas! A Christmas box! Ho! ho! ho!"
The rest was not very worth noting for me. Maybe part of me is actually Gabriel Grub, before he was an altered man.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
3.0
Delightful Christmas story about a gravedigger(sexton) who is kidnapped by goblins and taught a few moral lessons. It's very short, only a few pages, and I feel like it could have been further developed.
I remember reading this story in an anthology of Christmas stories as a child, and there was an illustration of the goblin that gave me nightmares!
It's peculiar to read it again as an adult, and remember those strange feelings I had as a child of liking the story, but being frightened of it too.
It's certainly a haunting and bizarre story! I was especially struck as a child by the goblins repeating Gabriel Grub's name in a sing-song chant. It's just so creepy and strangely fascinating.
Spoilers:
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I was disappointed that Grub doesn't return to the village, apologize to the boy he hurt, and repair his relationships with his neighbors. Not a particularly strong ending.
I remember reading this story in an anthology of Christmas stories as a child, and there was an illustration of the goblin that gave me nightmares!
It's peculiar to read it again as an adult, and remember those strange feelings I had as a child of liking the story, but being frightened of it too.
It's certainly a haunting and bizarre story! I was especially struck as a child by the goblins repeating Gabriel Grub's name in a sing-song chant. It's just so creepy and strangely fascinating.
Spoilers:
.
.
.
.
.
I was disappointed that Grub doesn't return to the village, apologize to the boy he hurt, and repair his relationships with his neighbors. Not a particularly strong ending.