The Cricket on the Hearth
by Charles Dickens
A carrier, his much younger wife and a cricket that sings on the hearth when the house is happy. Then a stranger arrives and the husband begins to suspect her. The warmest of the Christmas books, and the one Dickens read aloud most often.
Free to read online, chapter by chapter. No account needed.
Read on Kindle, phone, or paper↓
Both are ours, built from the text on this page, not a link to another site. EPUB for a Kindle, Apple Books or Kobo; PDF to print or to read on a phone.
Buy paperback on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, ReadClassicly earns from qualifying purchases.
The kettle began it! Don’t tell me what Mrs. Peerybingle said. I know better. Mrs. Peerybingle may leave it on record to the end of time that she couldn’t say which of them began it; but, I say the kettle did. I ought to know, I hope! The kettle began it, full five minutes by the little waxy-faced Dutch clock in the co…Charles Dickens, The Cricket on the HearthStart reading The Cricket on the Hearth free →
Reading The Cricket on the Hearth on ReadClassicly
You read The Cricket on the Hearth free, right here, one chapter at a time. About 114 pages across 3 chapters, roughly ~2 hours in total. Nothing to install, no account needed.
When you finish, a short comprehension quiz helps what you read actually stick. You can re-read any chapter any time.
In a hurry, or read it years ago? Take the The Cricket on the Hearth quiz : 10 questions, no account needed.
Good for English learners
Dickens at his gentlest. Three long chapters, about forty minutes each, and the cricket is a character.
Level B1-B2. This is the original text, not a simplified or abridged version, so you read the real classic.
The Cricket on the Hearth: reading level & FAQ
What reading level is The Cricket on the Hearth?↓
The Cricket on the Hearth is around B1-B2 on the CEFR scale. It is a good fit for readers building toward or reading comfortably at that level.
Can I read The Cricket on the Hearth online for free?↓
Yes. The Cricket on the Hearth is in the public domain and free to read online at ReadClassicly, chapter by chapter, with a short comprehension quiz. No account is needed to read it.
Wondering how long it takes? The Cricket on the Hearth is 31,599 words, about 2 hours, broken down by reading speed and by how many minutes a day you give it.
Read The Cricket on the Hearth free, start to finish
The full text, free online, chapter by chapter, with a quiz at the end. Built for adults and English learners.
Start reading →