Title: The Chimes
Author: Charles Dickens
Type: Fiction
Page Count/Review Word Count: 116
Rating: 4/5
Now we’re talking!
The Chimes is a Dickens novella that has shades of A Christmas Carol but with a Hogmanay twist and the lesson that there’s no such thing as inherent evil, but rather that poverty, crime and other human horrors are all created by human beings.
The device of the bells that underscores the action is a masterstroke, giving it an almost Lovecraftian cosmic horror vibe. I find that Dickens is at his best when he’s being a little spooky, and this often overlooked novella is a great example of that. It’s definitely a must-read.
