A review by loyaultemelie
The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton by Charles Dickens

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.