Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is the definitive holiday ghost story, and its vivid scenes and spoken cadence make it a wonderful short audiobook to revisit each winter.
Listen to A Christmas Carol Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeWhat A Christmas Carol is about
On a cold Christmas Eve in Victorian London, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge — a tight-fisted businessman who runs a counting-house and scorns the holiday as ‘humbug’ — is visited by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley warns him that three more spirits will come, and over the course of the night the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come force Scrooge to confront the man he has become.
First published in 1843, Dickens’s novella is a warm, vivid, and surprisingly eerie tale of regret and redemption that helped shape how the English-speaking world celebrates Christmas. It’s short, atmospheric, and built around some of the most memorable scenes in English literature.
| Author | Charles Dickens |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781662299667 |
| List price | $14.95 |
Why A Christmas Carol is great on audio
Dickens wrote with theatrical flair, and the novella’s ghostly set pieces and warm narration come alive when read aloud. At novella length it’s an easy, atmospheric single-sitting listen — ideal for the holidays.
Who should listen
Perfect for anyone who loves classic literature, seasonal stories, or a tale of redemption with a little gothic chill. If you only want fast modern thrillers, its Victorian style may feel old-fashioned.
If you like A Christmas Carol, listen to these next
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
How to get the A Christmas Carol audiobook free
Yes — the easiest way to get the A Christmas Carol audiobook free is with an Audiobooks.com free trial. Your first audiobook is free, so you can listen to A Christmas Carol during the 30-day trial and cancel anytime.
Listen to A Christmas Carol Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeFrequently asked questions
Is A Christmas Carol a short listen?
Yes — it’s a novella you can comfortably finish in a single sitting, which makes it a perfect seasonal listen.
Is it a ghost story?
In a sense — it’s a redemption tale told through four ghostly visitations, more heartwarming and atmospheric than frightening.
How can I get the A Christmas Carol audiobook free?
Start an Audiobooks.com free trial: your first audiobook is free to listen to during the 30-day trial, and you can cancel anytime. Use that credit on this title.
Is it good for families?
Yes — it’s widely enjoyed by older children and adults alike, especially around the holidays.