Michael Slater is Emeritus Professor of Victorian Literature, with extensive experience as a former President of international Dickens societies and editor of a leading Dickensian journal. His academic career has involved widespread lecturing across the globe, sharing his expertise on the subject. Slater's contributions significantly deepen our understanding of Victorian literary contributions and their enduring impact.
Each of these short stories was written specifically for Christmas. They combine concern for social ills with the myths and memories of childhood and traditional Christmas spirit-lore. The stories include "A Christmas Carol", "The Chimes", "The Battle of Life" and "The Cricket on the Hearth".