Charles Dickens

"The Inimitable" Charles Dickens captured the ethos of Victorian England in his writing and was undeniably a celebrated author--indeed a celebrity author--in his own time. With writing that ranged from hilarious caricature to gritty social realism, he managed to effectively blend entertainment with wide-ranging social critique. No element of Victorian society was spared, as his novels put the spotlight on class structures, education, industrialization and urbanization, the legal system, attitudes toward the poor and orphans, gender relations, and global networks. This keen exploration of social issues speaks to 21st century readers, and a continued interest in Dickensian characters, plots, and themes motivated this updated guide for students, teachers, and fans alike.

This companion to Dickens's major works carefully curates material relating to the author's life and times to allow deeper engagement with his Victorian era writings. Entries covering each of Dickens's major works include commentary that is specifically designed to foster grounded appreciation for its artistic merit, for its place in the author's life, for its contribution to publishing history, and for its status as an artifact of a specifically Victorian moment in social history.