The Christmas Carol is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that takes place in London, England during the late 1800s. The main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is a wealthy but miserly businessman who is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future on Christmas Eve, who show him the error of his ways and the importance of giving to others in need. The book has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and musicals over the years, and remains a beloved classic holiday tale.