Asbury Professor Edits New Version of Dickens’ Christmas Carol

November 21, 2023

Just in time for Christmas, Owl’s Nest Publishers announces the release of a new edition of “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ classic masterpiece of hope and redemption, edited and annotated by Asbury Professor of English, Dr. Devin Brown. Dr. Brown wrote a new introduction and a new afterword to the original text. He also provided discussion questions for each of the novel’s sections and created more than 300 annotations that help explain difficult passages. The book is available through Owl’s Nest Publishers and Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Annotated-Readers-Classics/dp/1957362162.

“I was very excited about taking on this project,” said Brown, who has published more than a dozen books. “I’ve always been a fan of Dickens as he’s an author that both scholars and ordinary readers can enjoy. When I sat down and started working on the notes that appear alongside the text, I found that I needed to explain more than I had first imagined – a lot more.”

First published in December 1843, “A Christmas Carol” quickly became Dickens’ best-known and best-selling work, appearing in numerous editions down through the years. Film adaptations through the generations have helped keep book sales strong, whether the classic Alastair Sim version from 1951 or the Muppets Christmas Carol released in 1992. Other famous actors who have played the iconic role of Scrooge include George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammar, and Jim Carrey.

“Students will often read ‘A Christmas Carol’ in school, or families will read it together at Christmas,” Brown said. “I wanted to create an edition that could be used by everyone, not just English majors. I try to provide explanations for all the words and historical references that might be confusing for today’s audiences. My belief is that the better readers understand the novel, the more they will enjoy it.”

This new edition of “A Christmas Carol” is the second book in the Owl’s Nest new line of Classic Editions, which hopes to bring great works of the past to life, especially for younger readers who may be reading them for the first time. The first book in the series was “Anne of Green Gables.” Owl’s Nest plans to bring out a Classic Edition of “Little Women” next year. All the books feature helpful introductions, discussion questions, and annotations that provide background material and context for anything readers might need help with.

“My hope is that after reading my new edition, readers will come away with a greater appreciation for the true spirit of Christmas,” Brown concluded. “This is something that’s needed now more than ever.”

The Asbury University English Department offers majors in English, Creative Writing, and English (Grades 8-12) and a minor in Creative Writing. Learn more: https://www.asbury.edu/academics/departments/english/.