https://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/12/19/podcast-neil-gaiman-christmas Even huge Charles Dickens fans may not know that A Christmas Carol is organized in five stanza-like sections called “staves.” They might not know the author’s only surviving “prompt” copy of the book, that is, Dickens’s own annotated version used for live readings, is held at the New York Public Library. But it’s without a doubt that Neil Gaiman gives one of the greatest deliveries of the classic holiday tale. Made up to resemble a nineteenth century man by Jeni Ahlfeld, the author was transformed for a performance at the New York Public Library, and his engaging reading captured the liveliness of Dickens’ prose. And so, as is our NYPL holiday tradition, we’re sharing Gaiman’s delightful performance of A Christmas Carol. We hope you enjoy it as part of your family tradition too.
https://soundcloud.com/nypl/neil-gaiman-reads-a-christmas-carol
If you’ve ever wanted to hear me read Dickens’s performance version of A Christmas Carol, while dressed as Dickens, now is your chance. Or if you think it would keep your animals company while you head out into the snow, unsure of whether or not you will ever return in these uncertain times, it’s good for that too.