For this year’s Backlisted Christmas Special we are joined by the poet and novelist Clare Pollard and our producer Nicky Birch to discuss not just a book, but adaptations of a book – and there are hundreds to choose from – and all have contributed to making it perhaps the most famous Christmas story of them all: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Written in six weeks in 1843, it was a massive and immediate success, selling out its first run of 6,000 copies by Christmas Eve. It has been in print ever since and has come to define the festive period for millions of readers, listeners and viewers. We explore why and how this fable – terrifying in parts, warm and reassuring in others – has exerted such a hold on our collective imagination. We each pick a favourite version (you’ll have to listen to find out which) but also range over others from Richard Williams’ celebrated 1971 animation to those featuring Mister Magoo and Ebeneezer Blackadder. Plus Andy has compiled a special festive playlist for you to listen to over the mulled wine and marzipan fruits. There never was such an episode!
And finally, on this most special of days, we’d like thank you all for your support during the year and to wish you: A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
* To purchase any of the books mentioned in this episode please visit our bookshop at uk.bookshop.org/shop/backlisted where all profits help to sustain this podcast and UK independent bookshops.
* For information about everything mentioned in this episode visit www.backlisted.fm
*If you'd like to support the show and join in with the book chat, listen without adverts, receive the show early and with extra bonus fortnightly episodes, become a Patreon at www.patreon.com/backlisted
*You can sign up to our free monthly newsletter http://bit.ly/backlistednewsletter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A Marsh Island by Sarah Orne Jewett
The Children of Men by P.D. James
All My Pretty Ones by Anne Sexton
Coffee Table Books
A Life in Movies by Michael Powell
Scouse Mouse by George Melly
Love On The Dole by Walter Greenwood
Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence
Briggflatts by Basil Bunting
Trustee From The Toolroom by Nevil Shute
Plays, Books and Stories: Samuel Beckett
Ghost Stories Of An Antiquary by M.R. James
What Have We Been Reading? - October 2023
The True History of the First Mrs Meredith by Diane Johnson
Esther Waters by George Moore
Galapágos by Kurt Vonnegut
A Kestrel For a Knave by Barry Hines (from Green Man Festival)
Summer Reading Special
A Passage to India by E.M. Forster
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
The Federalist Papers
Frankenstein
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends