Review: 40410 Charles Dickens Tribute

Name a more iconic Christmas story than Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The Nativity? They didn’t make a Muppets version of the nativity did they? Exactly.

Be warned that this post will contain spoilers for A Christmas Carol. But it was first published in December 1843 so honestly you have had more than enough time to read it. There have also been countless adaptations, including a 1998 primary school production where I played the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

I think you’d have to actually go out of your way to avoid knowing the story. If you somehow haven’t read it then you can find it pretty cheaply, or free ebook versions.

Here’s a quick summary – rich jerk Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. After seeing what the ghosts have to show him he becomes less of a jerk.

40410 features a small vignette taking place on top of a brick-built book.

The book itself is beautifully done, with a modest application of stickers to give detailing. Printed elements would have been great but this is a GWP set so you’ve got to be realistic about what you get. The use of textured bricks to create the pages is simple but effective.

The middle section of the spine can be removed to reveal a small compartment for keeping tiny trinkets. You could probably fit a key in it or something, but not a lot.

On top of the book there is the absolutely gorgeous vignette. Just over half is taken up with the home of Bob Cratchit and his son Tiny Tim. I really love the colours chosen for this. The festive decorations are also fantastic touches.

The other part of the scene features Scrooge standing in the snow looking through the window. This outside area is also wonderfully done with a lot of detail included in a small space. I really love the little tree out the front.

Minifigures

The set comes with the three minifigures that I have mentioned earlier – Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim.

Ebenezer Scrooge

Ebenezer looks exactly the way I’d expect him to look with his fancy suit and top hat. The face printing is also perfect.

Bob Cratchit

Bob is presented here with tan pants and a sweater vest over a white shirt. Bob doesn’t really have a well known look like Ebenezer but I think LEGO made a great choice with the face with lines on it. Bob has not lived an easy life.

Tiny Tim

Poor little Tim is the disabled son of Bob Cratchit, and seeing his death is one of the moments that really motivates the change to Scrooge. Tiny Tim has short legs and a nice red scarf. He also comes with a walking stick. Unlike the others Tiny Tim has dual face prints, with the second option being all covered in dirt.

The only complaint I have is that I would have loved to get at least one ghost in this set. The ghosts are such an essential part of the story I feel like it’s needed.

Final thoughts

I love this set. I honestly would have been happy to pay money for this if it was just a regular release set. The fact that such an awesome set is being released as a GWP is fantastic.

It was also a really fun build. There are no numbered bags so you’ve got to tip everything out and work through the pile. I don’t mind numbered bags but for a smallish set like this it’s often fun to have a bit more of a challenge.

This set will be released on November 21st as part of LEGO’s VIP weekend. I expect it will sell out pretty quickly.

My set was sent to me by LEGO to review. Opinions expressed are my own.