"A Christmas Carol" is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in 1843. It recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Through these supernatural encounters, Scrooge learns about the errors of his ways and transforms into a kinder, more generous person. The novella is one of Dickens's most famous works and has been adapted into numerous forms of media over the years. It's widely regarded as a classic of both English literature and holiday storytelling.