Scan barcode
A review by moonlightcupofcocoa
The Real Charles Dickens by Stephen Browning
informative
medium-paced
5.0
First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley and White Owl (Pen and Sword) for the ARC. All thoughts are my own as always.
I thought I'd enjoy this book but I ended up loving it!
If you're a classics fan or you enjoy reading about Victorian history, this book is for you!
The book takes you through Dickens' life from birth to death. The biography is split into chapters by 'life phase'. As you read about that particular time in his life, you're introduced to his relationships and connections as well as the general setting and contexts influencing his writing.
Throughout the text, you also get sections dedicated to each of his major works where you can learn more about it, read an in-depth literary analysis of it, draw connections with Dickens' own life as well as learn about its critical reception. I love that they are split out so you can choose to read them as you come across them or you could read them on their own at a later time, for example, after reading the novel.
I appreciated that the book offers a balanced view of his life and actions. I've read many books that put the figure on a pedestal, but what we get here is a much more comprehensive report of Charles Dickens. The real him with all of his virtues and vices. A man with great talents and strong social justice principles as well as a questionable husband.
While I loved the whole book and how organized and comprehensive it is, the cherry on top is the 'Walk with Charles Dickens' chapter at the end. It provides several recommended plans for literary walking tours of London. You can walk the same streets and even visit some of the establishments Charles Dickens and other classic writers frequented. And the book provides you with facts and information for each stop. I adore that!!
Overall, this was such a wonderful read. I highly recommend the book!
I thought I'd enjoy this book but I ended up loving it!
If you're a classics fan or you enjoy reading about Victorian history, this book is for you!
The book takes you through Dickens' life from birth to death. The biography is split into chapters by 'life phase'. As you read about that particular time in his life, you're introduced to his relationships and connections as well as the general setting and contexts influencing his writing.
Throughout the text, you also get sections dedicated to each of his major works where you can learn more about it, read an in-depth literary analysis of it, draw connections with Dickens' own life as well as learn about its critical reception. I love that they are split out so you can choose to read them as you come across them or you could read them on their own at a later time, for example, after reading the novel.
I appreciated that the book offers a balanced view of his life and actions. I've read many books that put the figure on a pedestal, but what we get here is a much more comprehensive report of Charles Dickens. The real him with all of his virtues and vices. A man with great talents and strong social justice principles as well as a questionable husband.
While I loved the whole book and how organized and comprehensive it is, the cherry on top is the 'Walk with Charles Dickens' chapter at the end. It provides several recommended plans for literary walking tours of London. You can walk the same streets and even visit some of the establishments Charles Dickens and other classic writers frequented. And the book provides you with facts and information for each stop. I adore that!!
Overall, this was such a wonderful read. I highly recommend the book!