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The ChimesCharles Dickens

Classic Christmas fiction

The Chimes

by Charles Dickens

Book 2 of the Christmas Books series

On New Year's Eve, elderly messenger Trotty Veck absorbs public lectures blaming poor people for their suffering and begins to believe his own class is naturally wicked. The church bells he has long loved summon him into a dark vision of future years in which his daughter Meg, her fiance Richard, and their friends are crushed by poverty and contempt. Witnessing despair at its most dangerous teaches Trotty how damaging it is to surrender faith in human dignity and improvement. Urgent and supernatural, this Dickens Christmas book suits readers who appreciate social protest, working-class characters, redemptive visions, and holiday stories whose hope depends on challenging injustice rather than overlooking it.

Paired for this story

Midnight Spiced Tea + Ranch Water

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At a glance

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Spice0 of 5
Suspense2 of 5
Creepy2 of 5
What do these symbols mean? →

No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Poverty, despair, threatened violence, and Victorian social attitudes

Alcohol-Free Pour

Midnight Spiced Tea

Black tea and winter spice for bells at the turning year.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Steep the tea and any herbs or whole spices in hot water according to the tea type, then strain. Stir in sweetener and juices. Chill and serve over ice.
  2. Garnish: Citrus peel, herb, or fruit from the recipe, if applicable.
  3. Glassware: Highball glass.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Ranch Water

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

Tequila, lime, and sparkling mineral water make a crisp, no-fuss ranch water.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice. Add tequila and lime juice, top with mineral water, and stir gently.
  2. Garnish: Lime wedge.
  3. Glassware: Highball glass.

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