It's a lovely addition to an already stunning book, and I think it only adds to the appeal of these beautiful editions. If you appreciate a good illustration or just want to share the book with young readers, you'll be pleased to know this edition is also illustrated, with black and white sketches dotted sporadically through the book. It contrasts beautifully against the bright red book cover, and it's just so cheerful-looking. When you open the book cover, you are greeted with vibrant sky blue end-papers featuring a festive print of white snowflakes and candle sticks. I would just recommend being extra careful with these books as the designs have been embossed on to the covers, and aren't indestructible. It's only really noticeable when I'm looking at the book close up. I'm not sure if it arrived like that, or if I damaged it myself running an anti-bacterial wipe over it when it arrived (Covid paranoia), but I guess it doesn't really affect my reading experience. Sadly, a couple of letters on my copy's spine have worn away. The spine also features the same golden holly design with a white top hat and snowflake just off centre, and the book title and author printed in a smaller white type. The design continues on the back, with the top hat and text replaced with a famous quote from the book- 'humbug, I tell you- humbug!', which stands out on the bright red cover in large white lettering. The outline of a giant top-hat dominates the front cover- an obvious reference to Scrooge's headwear and the Victorian era in which the novel is set- housing the title and author name in a modern gold font inside. This edition of A Christmas Carol is a truly stunning hardback, with a festive scarlet clothbound cover decorated with gold-foil holly leaves, and a scattering of white snowflakes, candles, and bells.

I only wish I'd got my hands on a copy sooner. I've been admiring this edition since it was released last autumn in the first collection of clothbound Puffin Classics, which also included Black Beauty, Dracula, The Secret Garden, and The Wizard of Oz, but only recently added it to my collection.

It's so beautiful and the book is such a classic that I just had to treat myself to a copy to enjoy as we count down to Christmas. I can never resist a beautiful book cover, and was powerless to resist the Puffin Classics edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, despite already owning two other copies of the book.

A christmas carol clothbound