Chimes

Experience the poignant tale of The Chimes A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In, the second of Charles Dickens cherished Christmas books, published in 1844. Set against the backdrop of the Hungry Forties, a period marked by social and political upheaval, this story carries a powerful moral message. While it may not shine as brightly as A Christmas Carol, it has captivated audiences for generations. Follow our protagonist, Toby (Trotty) Veck, a diligent yet impoverished man whose heart aches for his daughter Meg, who is set to marry on New Years Day. Troubled by the grim newspaper headlines and disheartened by encounters with the callous Alderman Cute and Sir Joseph Bowley—figures who make him feel that the poor are undeserving of existence—Trottys spirits plummet. However, the chimes of the church bells offer him a glimmer of hope and guide him to the belfry on New Years Eve. (Introduction by Ruth Golding)