The Battle of Life

5b Charles Dickens. London: Bradbury & Evan’s, Whitefriars, 1846. First Edition.

Notes

The Battle of Life is one of Charles Dickens’s lesser-known Christmas books, first published in 1846. Unlike his more famous holiday tales such as A Christmas Carol, this novella is not a ghost story nor centered around the supernatural. Instead, it’s a romantic tale set in a peaceful English village that once was the site of a historical battlefield. The story revolves around two sisters, Grace and Marion Jeddler, and their father, Dr. Anthony Jeddler, a philosophical man who sees life as a farce. When Marion mysteriously disappears on the eve of her wedding to her devoted suitor, Alfred Heathfield, the family is plunged into sorrow and confusion—until a twist ending reveals Marion’s self-sacrificial motives in a typically Dickensian display of sentiment and moral redemption.

Although the story lacks the social critique and depth of character found in Dickens’s major works, The Battle of Life is notable for its theme of love, sacrifice, and personal growth. It stands apart from the rest of his Christmas Books for its entirely human focus—no ghosts or time travel—relying instead on emotional drama and resolution. While it was popular at the time of publication, it has not endured in public consciousness like A Christmas Carol, but it remains a curious and tender piece in Dickens’s holiday canon, showcasing his flair for melodrama and his belief in the redemptive power of love.

Description

Original red cloth binding with gilt illustration in the center of the upper board. Blind tooling around the boarder of upper and lower boards. Gilt lettering on the upper board and spine. All edges gilt. Beautiful engravings throughout. Darker spotting of discoloration along the spine and upper edge of the upper board. Bumping and some slight fraying to corners and upper and lower spine. Blue ink inscription on the first endpaper. Fine condition overall.