"The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain" is one of Dickens’ Christmas-time novellas, written in the vein of his most popular one, "A Christmas Carol". Professor Redlaw is brooding over his past misery and mistakes, when he is suddenly visited by a ghostly apparition. The spectre comes with a bargain – the professor can be free from his past anguish, but there is a heavy price to be paid. What starts as a festive tale about the spirit of Christmas and joyous celebrations, turns into an exploration of the dark niches of the mind. A psychological warning to all people who are haunted by their past wrongdoings or memories, the novella is also a valuable lesson – it is better to forgive than forget. A five-star recommendation. Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).