02209cam a22003373u 4500 34665 UtSlPG 20260610133806.0 m cr n 260607r2010||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PR Fenn, George Manville, 1831-1909 Christmas Penny Readings: Original Sketches for the Season Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2010 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2010-12-15 Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England "Christmas Penny Readings: Original Sketches for the Season" by George Manville Fenn is a collection of narratives written in the late 19th century. The book explores themes of hardship, resilience, and the spirit of Christmas through various character sketches, including Hezekiah Thornypath, a man grappling with severe poverty and personal loss. It aims to capture the contrasting realities of joy and despair during the festive season, highlighting the importance of community and compassion. The opening of the collection introduces Hezekiah Thornypath, who has faced relentless struggles in his life after moving to London in search of prosperity. The text begins with Hezekiah's poignant memories of his family's grief over the deaths of their children. As Christmas approaches, he reflects on his current dire situation, characterized by hunger and despair, juxtaposing it with the joyful scenes around him. Through his isolated and desperate circumstances, Fenn poignantly portrays the impact of financial ruin and the longing for better days, setting the stage for a narrative steeped in both sorrow and the potential for redemption as the holiday season unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Poetry Fiction Short stories Christmas stories https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34665 75511 75511