The first Dickens story I didn't love.

One of Dickens five Christmas stories, where Christmas Carol is by far the best know and loved, the Chimes tells the story of Trotty an old Porter, who in a series of visions is forewarned of future events if he loses faith in his fellow humans.

As in most other Dickens stories there's a indignation towards the living conditions of the poor and a harsh criticism of the privileged classes indifference or misguided philanthropy, but here it's delivered heavyhanded and without the usual elegance and humour.

The writing is still brilliant and poetic in places (it is Dickens after all) but uncommon for Dickens, some of it felt really dated and full of references that has been lost in time.