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Charles Dickens: The Dickens Bicentenary 1812-2012
Charles Dickens is the definitive interactive illustrated guide to the man and his works. Produced in association with the Charles Dickens Museum, London, it follows Dickens from early childhood, including his time spent as a child labourer, and looks at how he became the greatest celebrity of his age, and how he still remains one of Britain’s most renowned literary figures, even in the twenty-first century. It is an intimate look at what he was like as a husband, father, friend and employer; at his longing to be an actor, his travels across North America, his year spent living in Italy and his great love of France. It introduces Dickens’s fascinating family and his astonishing circle of friends, and we discover when and how life and real-life personalities were imitated in his art.
Charles Dickens was an intriguing personality. He was a man far ahead of his time, a Victorian whose ideals and outlook on life were better suited to the modern world. With beautiful photographs and artworks, and many never before seen facsimile documents from Dickens’s own archives, Charles Dickens brings to life this extraordinary and complex man, whose name remains internationally revered and whose work continues to inspire us today.
Charles Dickens was an intriguing personality. He was a man far ahead of his time, a Victorian whose ideals and outlook on life were better suited to the modern world. With beautiful photographs and artworks, and many never before seen facsimile documents from Dickens’s own archives, Charles Dickens brings to life this extraordinary and complex man, whose name remains internationally revered and whose work continues to inspire us today.
124 pages, Hardcover
First published December 13, 2011
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133 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda Hawksley
42 books174 followersLucinda Hawksley is a British biographer, author and lecturer. She is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine. Hawksley is an award-winning travel writer.
She also writes under the name Lucinda Dickens Hawksley.
She also writes under the name Lucinda Dickens Hawksley.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 29, 2013
As someone who's read quite a bit about Dickens, I didn't learn anything new from this book, but it was nice to be reminded of facts I might've forgotten; and for someone wanting merely an overview of his life, albeit with very interesting details, this would be perfect.
The volume has a nice layout, basically chronological, but also thematic, and when necessary a reference page is given to complete the chronology. Its strongest points, though, are the many visuals: beautiful reproductions, such as those of contemporary newspaper illustrations depicting scenes from CD's public life and Millais' The Black Brunswicker in which CD's daughter is the model; and the facsimiles that can be pulled from 'pockets' and perused as if they were almost the real thing, e.g., the same daughter's family photo album, CD's marked reading copy of "Nancy's Murder" from Oliver Twist, and a poignant letter he wrote to a friend after the Staplehurst train accident.
My copy is signed by the author, a great-great-great granddaughter of CD. She is a mesmerizing speaker (as was her famous ancestor) and I could've listened to her for hours, instead of the allotted one hour. I'm so glad I was able to be in the audience for at least part of her first visit to New Orleans.
The volume has a nice layout, basically chronological, but also thematic, and when necessary a reference page is given to complete the chronology. Its strongest points, though, are the many visuals: beautiful reproductions, such as those of contemporary newspaper illustrations depicting scenes from CD's public life and Millais' The Black Brunswicker in which CD's daughter is the model; and the facsimiles that can be pulled from 'pockets' and perused as if they were almost the real thing, e.g., the same daughter's family photo album, CD's marked reading copy of "Nancy's Murder" from Oliver Twist, and a poignant letter he wrote to a friend after the Staplehurst train accident.
My copy is signed by the author, a great-great-great granddaughter of CD. She is a mesmerizing speaker (as was her famous ancestor) and I could've listened to her for hours, instead of the allotted one hour. I'm so glad I was able to be in the audience for at least part of her first visit to New Orleans.
July 31, 2022
honestly appreciate how dickens’ great-great-great-granddaughter didn’t mince her words when it came to charles, how she was open to the fact that he did and said bad things. i think that’s respectable.
January 8, 2026
A very good overview of Dickens' life and work and it is fun to peruse. I'm fairly familiar with his life and have read most of the novels, so can appreciate that this contains the more meaningful details, and the novels summaries are informative reminders. There are a lot of interesting photos that other biographies do not contain. Biographer Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, great great great granddaughter, is quite the scholar to have compiled this.
March 5, 2012
What a totally delightful book on the life of Dickens! The huge format with lots of beautiful pictures and drawings makes for such an interesting read. The inclusion of copies of documents from the family only adds tothe charm.
Written by Dickens great-great-great grandaughter, we are given an abbreviated look at each stage of his life, and those of his children. Two page spreads are given to each of his major works and the background of their writing.
For the true Dickens fan, this book is simply an added gem for their treasury, but for those who would like simply a good overview of his life and work, this book is perfect.
Given that this is the 200 year anniversary of Dickens birth, this rates a read from any and all who so love and admire his work.
Written by Dickens great-great-great grandaughter, we are given an abbreviated look at each stage of his life, and those of his children. Two page spreads are given to each of his major works and the background of their writing.
For the true Dickens fan, this book is simply an added gem for their treasury, but for those who would like simply a good overview of his life and work, this book is perfect.
Given that this is the 200 year anniversary of Dickens birth, this rates a read from any and all who so love and admire his work.
June 9, 2012
Like it very much! This book contains not only biography of Charles Dickens, we can get also the histories behind the working of each of his novels, and how each book is related to Dickens' life conditions. What makes it more valuable, there are a lot of facsimile items attached within the pages. The items varied from books manuscript (in Dickens hand-writing), family album, Dickens bank account :), newspaper which Dickens edited, to the reading material that Dickens used when he performed his reading (in this case Oliver Twist) complete with his scribbled notes. They are very nice, and makes us see the up close and personal of Charles Dickens.
April 8, 2012
This book has convinced me, the ultimate hater of biographies. It is the most beautiful book I've ever owned and the admittedly high price is totally justified.
There will be new insights about the greatest English novelist and his works for everyone, as well as interesting information about his time and environment.
Buy it! (Or, even better, get someone to buy it for you:)
There will be new insights about the greatest English novelist and his works for everyone, as well as interesting information about his time and environment.
Buy it! (Or, even better, get someone to buy it for you:)
September 30, 2022
I went into this knowing next to nothing about Dickens, and came out with lots of great FACTS (there's a Hard Times nod for you). It was a fascinating book, I particularly enjoyed the removable archive documents. It was interesting to learn how, between the good acts and brilliant story telling, Dickens was also a bit of a wanker. Overall I really enjoyed reading this.
December 30, 2019
What a great edition! Thank you!
December 9, 2020
Interesting overview of Dickensian works accompanied by copies of original documents from his life, including his will. Fascinating for anyone who wants to learn more and draw their own conclusions.
December 12, 2011
Charles Dickens
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM, LONDON
by Lucinda Dickens Hawksley
Celebrate 200 years since the birth of the literary genius, with this fascinating collection of documents from Dickens’ personal archive and previously unpublished photographs of the Dickens family
Thoroughly researched by Dickens’ great-great-great Granddaughter! Charles Dickens is the definitive illustrated guide to the man and his works written by a direct descendent of the legendary novelist. It takes the reader on a journey from Charles Dickens’ childhood – including its most difficult and unhappy time, when his parents were imprisoned for debt and he was sent out to work – before entering into his teenage years, his desire to be an actor and his struggle to achieve recognition as a writer. Readers will discover the excitement of Dickens’ very sudden and almost overwhelming success, followed by those many triumphant years when he was hailed as one of the greatest celebrities of his age. The book also explores why Dickens remains one of England’s best-loved authors in the 21st century and how his ideals and legacy continue to be relevant today.
The book also intimately explores what he was like as a husband, a lover, a father, a friend and an employer. Alongside Dickens himself, readers will be introduced to his fascinating family and his astonishing circle of friends, discovering how his personal experiences and the characters that inhabited his world were imitated in his novels. The author is available for interview
Lucinda Dickens Hawksley is the great-great-great granddaughter of Charles Dickens and a patron of the Charles Dickens Museum in London. She has written more than 20 books, including Lizzie Siddal, The Tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite Supermodel (2004) and Katey, The Life and Loves of Dickens’s Artist Daughter (2006). Lucinda is also a public speaker and has contributed to a number of TV and radio programmes, including Woman’s Hour and Front Row. Alongside regular lecturing at the National
Portrait Gallery in London, she has been invited to speak at venues all over the world, including the Newberry Library in Chicago, the University of Genoa, the British Council in India and the Melbourne Dickens Fellowship.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM, LONDON
by Lucinda Dickens Hawksley
Celebrate 200 years since the birth of the literary genius, with this fascinating collection of documents from Dickens’ personal archive and previously unpublished photographs of the Dickens family
Thoroughly researched by Dickens’ great-great-great Granddaughter! Charles Dickens is the definitive illustrated guide to the man and his works written by a direct descendent of the legendary novelist. It takes the reader on a journey from Charles Dickens’ childhood – including its most difficult and unhappy time, when his parents were imprisoned for debt and he was sent out to work – before entering into his teenage years, his desire to be an actor and his struggle to achieve recognition as a writer. Readers will discover the excitement of Dickens’ very sudden and almost overwhelming success, followed by those many triumphant years when he was hailed as one of the greatest celebrities of his age. The book also explores why Dickens remains one of England’s best-loved authors in the 21st century and how his ideals and legacy continue to be relevant today.
The book also intimately explores what he was like as a husband, a lover, a father, a friend and an employer. Alongside Dickens himself, readers will be introduced to his fascinating family and his astonishing circle of friends, discovering how his personal experiences and the characters that inhabited his world were imitated in his novels. The author is available for interview
Lucinda Dickens Hawksley is the great-great-great granddaughter of Charles Dickens and a patron of the Charles Dickens Museum in London. She has written more than 20 books, including Lizzie Siddal, The Tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite Supermodel (2004) and Katey, The Life and Loves of Dickens’s Artist Daughter (2006). Lucinda is also a public speaker and has contributed to a number of TV and radio programmes, including Woman’s Hour and Front Row. Alongside regular lecturing at the National
Portrait Gallery in London, she has been invited to speak at venues all over the world, including the Newberry Library in Chicago, the University of Genoa, the British Council in India and the Melbourne Dickens Fellowship.
February 13, 2012
Many people have a love-hate relationship with Charles Dickens. He is one of those authors who used their work as a platform for social change. If you've ever read one of his novels you know where he stood on the social issues facing that time. However he was a very fascinating man. His early life and misfortunes molded him into the author he was to become. So many of his novels reflected his character.
February 7, 2012 was Charles Dickens' Bicentenary. Lucinda Dickens Hawksley and Insight Editions has put out this phenomenal book to commemorate Dickens' life. Lucinda Hawksley is the great, great, great granddaughter of Charles Dickens. She is an expert when it comes to the Dickens'. In this book she collaborated with The Charles Dickens Museum in London. The book is full or photographs, replicas of play bills, news papers, manuscript excerpts, letters and much more. This book is a treasure chest of all things Dickens. This is a book you will read over and over again each time discovering something new.
This book also goes into detail on the people in Dickens' life as well as the influences that inspired his many novels. I truly enjoyed this book and everything it has to offer. I felt like a kid at Christmas time reading this book. This is the perfect book to add to any collection and to be displayed.
February 7, 2012 was Charles Dickens' Bicentenary. Lucinda Dickens Hawksley and Insight Editions has put out this phenomenal book to commemorate Dickens' life. Lucinda Hawksley is the great, great, great granddaughter of Charles Dickens. She is an expert when it comes to the Dickens'. In this book she collaborated with The Charles Dickens Museum in London. The book is full or photographs, replicas of play bills, news papers, manuscript excerpts, letters and much more. This book is a treasure chest of all things Dickens. This is a book you will read over and over again each time discovering something new.
This book also goes into detail on the people in Dickens' life as well as the influences that inspired his many novels. I truly enjoyed this book and everything it has to offer. I felt like a kid at Christmas time reading this book. This is the perfect book to add to any collection and to be displayed.
February 27, 2012
I don't really enjoy reading biographies. If I do read one it'll be about one of my very favorite persons - Paul McCartney is the best example. The thought of reading 500 pages of tedious detail about someone's life is just not appealing - that's why this book was perfect for me. Each section of the book is just 2 to 4 pages long and is about either one of Dickens' novels or one aspect of his life: CD and Art, CD and acting, etc.
What I loved about this book is that it made me want to read Dickens - just to grab one off the shelf. It went through each of his novels and showed me how the characters came from Dickens life and then how they became part of my own. It's filled with passages from the novels and it reminded me of how much I miss him when he's not in my life. Book definitely did its job.
What I loved about this book is that it made me want to read Dickens - just to grab one off the shelf. It went through each of his novels and showed me how the characters came from Dickens life and then how they became part of my own. It's filled with passages from the novels and it reminded me of how much I miss him when he's not in my life. Book definitely did its job.
August 16, 2015
Such a beautiful book! Large format, filled with an impressive collection of photographs, illustrations, paintings and portraits that make you feel like you stepped right into Dickens' world.
My favorite part were the facsimiles. The book has several 'pockets' with reproductions of Dickens' letters, his final testament, newspapers, manuscripts, annotated typescripts and even business cards, among other things.
There are surely more comprehensive biographies of Dickens out there if you want to go more in depth, but this book definitely does the job—and is a collectible treasure.
I only wished they'd used a more legible italic font for the chapter headers.
My favorite part were the facsimiles. The book has several 'pockets' with reproductions of Dickens' letters, his final testament, newspapers, manuscripts, annotated typescripts and even business cards, among other things.
There are surely more comprehensive biographies of Dickens out there if you want to go more in depth, but this book definitely does the job—and is a collectible treasure.
I only wished they'd used a more legible italic font for the chapter headers.
December 20, 2012
Hawksley, who is the great-great-great granddaughter of Dickens, has done a spectacular job with this book. Anyone who is at all a Dickens fan will get tremendous enjoyment out of it. It is full of little-known facts and all kinds of details, and also includes pull-out reproductions of many documents relating to Dickens, including a copy of his will. I was happy to see that the book did not shy away from some rather unseemly issues complicating Dickens' life. What a fantastic book!
July 13, 2014
One of a kind Coffee Table sized book full of wonderful photos of rare items, paintings and drawings from London's Dickens Museum. The text is by Dickens's Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter. It is well-written and concise yet thorough, taking you from Dickens's birth to his death with reviews of each of his major works and insights into his family and extra-marital life. This is a wonderful gift for a Dickens fan
March 29, 2016
Scratching the itch I have for illustrated nonfiction! And reminding me that Charles Dickens was a big poop to his wife. "Oh she is fat now, I must away with an eighteen-year-old actress." Come on dude. Be less of a cliche. But anyway this book had FACSIMILE DOCUMENTS in little page-envelopes that you could take out and look at. Other biographers, take note. This is the kind of quality nonfiction we nonfiction dilettantes have been craving.
October 27, 2013
This biographical book is beautiful! I received this book as a birthday gift and have cherished it ever since. It gives you a thorough insight into Charles Dickens life with beautiful illustrations and several facsimiles to make it very authentic. I recommend this book for other Charles Dickens enthusiasts like myself.
May 24, 2022
Lavishly illustrated book that covers all the subjects in its title. I like the way the book is organized, telling the story of Dickens' novels along with his biography and what was happening in his world at the time. Produced by the Dickens Museum. An excellent resource for those who want to know more about the man and his times.
March 4, 2023
A great read, written by a many great granddaughter of Charles Dickens. This will be interesting if you, too, are a Charles Dickens fan. Am I alone in feelings of disappointment that come when learning of the fallibility of people we hold in such high esteem? Good book. For better or worse, I see a clearer r presentation of Charles Dickens.
May 5, 2012
I find it hard to resist a book with little surprise pockets, in this case containing facsimile documents of magazine issues, photos, letters, visiting cards, and more, from the Charles Dickens Museum in London.
August 10, 2012
Such an enjoyable read for a Dickens fan. Certainly not an exhaustive biography of Dickens, but I loved all the terrific photographs and the facsimiles of handbills, letters, and playbooks that were tucked away in the fold-out envelopes.
September 12, 2013
A fun well illustrated history with lots of facsimile documents able to pulled out and pored over to gives the flavour of Dickens' life and world. Clearly written by a descendant the writing is not great at times but makes up for it with it's slightly quirky and personal take.
November 8, 2021
A nicely produced piece of work on Dickens life and works. Published by the Charles Dickens museum. Lots of facts and a break down of his works. Great pictures. A worthy read for Dickens fans but nothing we don't already know about the great man
June 5, 2012
This is a specialist book which I stumbled onto in the book onto in the book racks of the British Library. Written by a great great grandaughter, Lucinda Dickens Hawksley.
January 6, 2013
Well written, concise with amazing illustrations
April 9, 2015
Like walking through a Dickens museum, only in book form.
August 4, 2017
Review after my visit to Charles Dickens Museum.
August 15, 2021
Wonderfully interesting book on one of the greatest writers and humanitarians that ever lived. Hugely recommended.
August 8, 2012
I love Charles Dickens. I used it to write an essay about Charles Dickens. It's just great!!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews