Dickensland: The Curious History of Dickens's London

by Lee Jackson

The intriguing history of Dickens’s London, showing how tourists have reimagined and reinvented the Dickensian metropolis for more than 150 years Tourists have sought out the landmarks, streets, and alleys of Charles Dickens’s London ever since the death of the world-renowned author. Late Victorians and Edwardians were obsessed with tracking down the locations—dubbed “Dickensland”—that famously featured in his novels. But his fans were faced with a city that was undergoing rapid redevelopment, where literary shrines were far from sacred. Over the following century, sites connected with Dickens were demolished, relocated, and reimagined. Lee Jackson traces the fascinating history of Dickensian tourism, exploring both real Victorian London and a fictional city shaped by fandom, tourism, and heritage entrepreneurs. Beginning with the late nineteenth century, Jackson investigates key sites of literary pilgrimage and their relationship with Dickens and his work, revealing hidden, reinvented, and even faked locations. From vanishing coaching inns to submerged riverside stairs, hidden burial grounds to apocryphal shops, Dickensland charts the curious history of an imaginary world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, British Literature, Audiobook, London, Classics

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and enjoyable read about the history of literary tourism to Dickens’ London. From the buildings that Dickens lived and worked in, to locations written about within his books and also some of the films and television series. Full of interesting bits and pieces (for instance one of the earliest Dickens tourists was Louisa May Alcott), its well researched and detailed.

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

My expectations were not met here... and I venture to say it's not that my expectations were faulty. The blurb ends with this paragraph: "From vanishing coaching inns to submered riverside stairs, hidden burial grounds to apocryphal shops, Dickensland charts the curious history of an endlessly captivating - if often entirely fictional - world."

From that, and other statements in the blurb, one gets the idea that this book will take us through sites in London that Dickens wrote about in his books, and that we will get a history of the specific buildings and locations. And there's definitely some of that. The items listed in the paragraph I quoted are basically the locations that are discussed in this book by Lee Jackson, but get this - none of those locations are actually the ones Dickens had in mind when writing his books. Only one of the surviving coaching inns has any connection to Dickens, and it's tangential. Every other building or site he discusses at length in this book either no longer exists or was never proven to be the one Dickens had in mind.

And, before we go further, let me just say that ALL THAT IS FINE. By all means, let's hear about the no-longer-existing sites and the fake sites. I have zero objections.

HOWEVER. Actual sites that still exist to this day are not even mentioned except in maybe two places, and that in passing. "Middle Temple is one of the capital's historic lawyer's colleges, the Inns of Court. Dickens himself was very fond of the Inns as a quaint setting in his fiction, with, for example, Pip having rooms in the Temple in Great Expectations; Traddles having rooms at Gray's Inn in David Copperfield; and Mortimer Lightwood also having rooms in the Temple in Our Mutual Friend. For even in Dickens' day, the old Inns of Court seemed like a peculiar, fusty world, set apart from the bustling streets, with a curious atmosphere all their own. Nowadays, thanks to their well-preserved terraces and squares of Georgian and Victorian buildings, they regularly appear as not only 'Dickens's London' but also 'Old London'." In other words, these buildings that were featured in multiple Dickens novels are still standing and still visible today, still possible to be visited by the tourist. Why is this site given only a passing mention, when entire chapters are devoted to non-existent or fake sites?

A quick internet search reveals the following London sites that are still very much in existence today and are featured in multiple Dickens novels: Palace of Westminster, Westminster Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral, Bank of England, Covent Garden Market, Tower of London. Those are only the most famous and most obvious. There are a ton more. Another search reveals that there are many different walking tours of London available to this day that take you to a variety of existing (proven) Dickens' sites. The author (Lee Jackson) himself has written a walking tour guide of London with this perspective.

So if this book is not about actual sites of Dickens that you can visit either in person or virtually through an arm chair travel book (which is what I was expecting here, if I haven't made that clear yet), what is it about, then? I'm honestly not sure. There seems to be a level of condescension directed towards anyone who wants to imagine themselves into a Dickens novel by visiting sites he described in his books. There seems to be more than a little derision towards the concept of literary tourism. Then again, towards the end of the book, the author seems to double back on himself and change his tune by saying that - essentially - the author's imagination creates the setting, the reader desires to visit that setting, which then in turn fuels HIS imagination as a reader, enabling him to more fully enter into the story. He seems to settle for himself that, ultimately, that is not a bad thing, although the majority of the book is questioning whether such imaginative escapades into real or imagined literary sites degrades the superior work of the author/creator in imagining the setting in the first place.

On top of that, the author occasionally inserts his own literary analysis and interpretation of specific scenes in Dickens' novel, and I wasn't really here for that. Again, expectations unmet.

All in all, I was disappointed, ALTHOUGH I did learn a lot about Dickens, his works, London itself and its changing topography, and adaptations of Dickens work throughout history. If you go into it expecting that, then you won't be disappointed.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through the maze of time and space occupied by the fictional characters that sprang Athena-like from Charles Dickens' grey cells, author Lee Jackson has provided readers a tasty treat in Dickensland: The Curious History of Dickens's London .

Interestingly much of the perspective of this piece is informed by the aspect of 'Dickens' tourism beginning at the dates of the first publishing of Dickens' works - and the popularity of all things related to thereto. Jackson walks a reader through it all, and rounds up with impressive endnotes and all manner of endpapers. Very scholarly and informative for those who would dig deeper into the details introduced.

As with all things academic focusing on topics specific, this read will appeal most to those with eyes to see and ears to hear. But for those who want to see London as Dickens did, as Oliver did, as Fagin did. . .here's the portal, or the map to a few portals that may yet remain in her old bones. . .

*A sincere thank you to Lee Jackson, Yale University Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Dickensland #NetGalley

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sounds super niche, but I loved this book. I have another book about Dickens obtained from Netgalley, and I thought this one would be a great introduction. It's about the whole tourism industry that developed in Victorian London around Charles Dickens and the places he ,mentions in his novels - including some where the landlords stretched facts a bit to get that Dickens connection and make some profit. It also talks about the Blue Plaque scheme and how it developed, how entrepreneurs tried to woo American tourists - including Louisa May Alcott who visited highlights of Dickens places before everyone had come up with the idea -, women guides who had their own walking tours for and by women... I found it fascinating and really interesting, and it reads really well. The research seems thorough and solid but it was not dry. Would absolutely recommend.

Free ARC sent by Netgalley.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t a novel. It is a considered piece of scholarship that sometimes reads like an adventure story but at other moments gets caught up in more complex literary arguments.

It is a must read for anyone interested in the works of Charles Dickens, his life and heritage based on place and the times and locations he brought to life in his works.

I found the whole piece fascinating and quite absorbing but didn’t always agree with the ideas shared. Namely, how literary tourism has produced a series of properties and sites so imbued with references to Dickens fans, especially American cousins would flock to visit London to walk in the writer’s footsteps or visit The Old Curiosity Shop.

I followed the points being made; these were expanded on well and with clear examples but perhaps because of my own neutral stance I found the motivation to find such places within myself or the setting aside of logic to embrace a clear fake without sense or meaning.

However, this trade and tourism was real and it reflects the value place on this writer and the esteem in which he was held, and still remains a respected author to this day.

For me what Dickens relates is real in a historical sense. I do not need the streets of London preserved for all time. Similarly I do not need to visit Paris and see a bloody guillotine to believe in the French Revolution.

Beyond the historical commentary of his work is the text, dialogue and wonderful characters. These are what lives on and as the Lee Jackson writes are what makes Dickens so special. I thought his explanation of the use of illustrations, stage shows and films that enhance Dickens’ popularity and re-envisage his timeframe interesting. Indeed it is perhaps the TV adaptations that have focused my enjoyment and interest. I think we did Oliver Twist at school in English as well as reading passages for historical comment in British History.

This is a beautifully crafted book. Well thought through and with such an in depth reference works with end notes regarding the many sources and quotes. An extensive bibliography and what many world forget a valued index.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visitors to London, especially those from outside of the UK, who wish to see the remnants of early Victorian London are probably going to be somewhat disappointed, although this is not just a recent thing, As the author argues, the truth is that the London of Dickens's time was already being lost before the end of the Victorian era & his writing was beginning to be thought of as 'old hat' by then too.

London is most definitely a living palimpsest where the evidence of previous centuries can occasionally be glimpsed through the modern city, but the rookeries & crowded tenements have been erased. In truth there is not much of 'Dickensland' left apart from the survival of an odd coaching inn or two immortalised in Pickwick Papers & the Charles Dickens Museum at Doughty Street where he lived between 1837-1839.

In fact the most popular sites such as the purported original Old Curiosity Shop or Nancy's Steps are linked with Dickens more by tradition than hard evidence as this book points out. The last chapters deal with Dickens's work adapted for film & TV, especially the musical 'Oliver', & were really interesting too. I do wish I had known of the brief existence of actual tourist attraction 'Dickensland' as I would have liked to have visited before it closed but I'd never heard of it before this book. Overall it was a really interesting & informative read & has made me want to dust off my old Dickens books for a re-read at some point.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Yale University Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Jade aka MrsTosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I grew up on Dickens, my Mum was a huge fan, and as a child I was always transported to the atmospheric back street of London when she read Little Dorrit or A Christmas Carol aloud to me. As an adult I have been lucky enough to visit London many times, and take part in a few local history walking tours which have included locations used in Dickens writings. Sadly some of these places no longer exist, but you can still get that feel for the places and characters throughout the old city.

This book is really interested and written well. It takes you on a journey to Dicken's London since the authors death. People to this day, still travel far and wide to visit the places steeped in history. Some of which have now disappeared as London has been re-modernised a lot thought the years, others have moved and some are totally made up works of fiction. Either created by Dickens on people who have profited over the years from his success by running tours.

This book is a must for all fans of Dickens himself, London, The classics or just history in general. There are a lot of references to his books and it is written in Dickens time, rather than ours, so it would help if you have read some of them.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly done and probably my favorite nonfiction read in the last few years.

This is a must, of course, for any Dickens enthusiast, though I think it also has broader appeal for those who are interested in literary topography and literary tourism in general.

This reads beautifully for a dense piece of nonfiction, and as someone whose academic research also deals with literary tourism in part, I was impressed by both the detail and the sociocontextual observations captured here.

This is actually a relatively short read (just over 200 pages unless you’re like me and insist on reading all of the end notes), but it packs a lot in, and the photo plates are lovely and well selected to enhance the reader experience.

My only regret upon reading this was finding out that there was a Dickens theme park that closed before I ever got a chance to visit. An enjoyable, charming, and informative read.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Laura✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dickensland” immerses readers in the captivating world of literary tourism centred around Charles Dickens’s life and works in the heart of London. This engaging exploration invites us to wander through the streets, neighbourhoods, and landmarks that shaped both the author’s personal experiences and the fictional realms he created.

As someone interested in Victorian London, I appreciated the dedicated research and many anecdotes Jackson provides of the bustling city, its social issues, and the daily lives of its inhabitants. However, I haven't read every work by Dickens and if readers are not familiar with his body of work they will, unsurprisingly, feel lost and may not get much out of this book.

Perfect for Dickens enthusiasts or for those simply curious about the London that inspired his iconic tales. Just be prepared to encounter references to characters you may not recognize if you haven’t delved into Dickens’s novels yet.

This was an ARC review for NetGalley.

[Muaz Jalil · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a dickens lover, this is an awesome book. Did not know Blue placque started with Lord Byron's resident in Holles St. In 1867. Too bad David Copperfield Library disappeared. Cannot believe that LSE's Old Curiosity Shop may not be the original inspiration !

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight to Dickens' London. and its reinvention since the novelist's death. Jackson follows in Dickens' footsteps to look more closely at the locations - some have disappeared, others have moved and some are works of fiction themselves. There are many spoilers scattered throughout the work so don't read this before reading the novels. An imaginary Victorian world comes to life and add some tine resting tales of their own. It is evident that Jackson is an expert in his field and knows London and its associations with Dickens firsthand.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love anything London so this book really appealed to me. I have to admit I'm not a Dickens fan and don't really like classic reads, however the idea of visiting Dickens London past and present seemed interesting. For me though this book wasn't quite what I imagined it to be. You really do need to know your Dickens! The author goes into a lot of depth from the novels and visited areas from these but in Dickens time and not in present time as I imagined it would have been. I thought it would be more spread over time and we would see a lot more of what London Dickens would be like today. Not having read any of the books I found it really hard to understand some of the references. It was a different read to what I expected. However, for a Dickens fan I would imagine this book would be a great read.

[spencer wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focusing more on the places during the time of Dickens himself, this book is a better fit for those who are familiar with his books and the influences surrounding his writing.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Literary tourism is not something new. In fact, it has been alive and well since the time of Charles Dickens. So much so that there has been both a cottage and a professional industry that has attracted flocks of people to walk in the steps of the great author and his various creations.

Perhaps the greatest irony of it is the London of Dickens no longer exists. In fact, by the time of the later Victorians, many of the places of which he wrote had been swept away by progress and rebuilding. The slums, the buildings, the streets and even entire neighbourhoods were flattened to make way for Victorian improvements. There are snatches here and there but even some of the things that do remain now have been adapted to his books and characters. In some respects what they are seeing is as much a theme park as Disneyland.

If you are expecting a light travelogue of London from a Dickensian view, you will be disappointed,. But if you are looking for a well researched and detailed account of various factors that have helped keep his legend alive, you will find it here. Four purrs and one paw up.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

Having taught Dickens for a while, I have read a fair amount of biographies and articles to enhance my teaching. When aimed at the general public, these often lack depth or sources, which I find will always enhance the reading process. This book, however, pleasantly surprised me.
It is a lovely compendium of historical facts and anecdotal information about Dickens's London (or Dickensland), all encompassed in a way that connects the author with the influence he had both in life and after his death.

A wonderful reading for lovers of Dickens, Victorian London and history!

[Bahar · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an ardent admirer of Charles Dickens and a keen explorer of literary history, I was eager to delve into “Dickensland: The Curious History of Dickens's London” by Lee Jackson, graciously provided to me as an advance copy by the publisher and NetGalley.

“Dickensland” is more than just a guide for literary tourists; it's a profound exploration into the cultural capital surrounding Charles Dickens and the evolution of tourism in Victorian London. While it doesn't offer step-by-step itineraries or practical travel tips, this meticulously researched exploration delves into the cultural capital surrounding Charles Dickens and the evolution of tourism in Victorian London, intricately weaving together the places immortalized in his novels with those manufactured for commercial purposes.

Beginning with Dickens's death, the book paints a vivid picture of the transformation of London, juxtaposing the remnants of Dickensian London with the evolving modern cityscape. Jackson adeptly illustrates how Dickensian tourism has sculpted a fantastical topography, akin to a magical fairyland or a thematic amusement park, as depicted on the book's cover.

While the book primarily focuses on the locales during Dickens's lifetime, it caters well to readers acquainted with his works and the influences shaping his writing. Jackson strikes a fine balance between scholarly insight and accessible prose, ensuring that the narrative remains engaging for both casual readers and seasoned Dickens aficionados alike.

One aspect that enhances the reading experience is the inclusion of a diverse array of illustrations, offering glimpses into the bygone era. However, I couldn't help but yearn for comparative visuals and maps showcasing the transformation of London over time, providing a deeper understanding of the city's evolution from Victorian splendour to contemporary hustle and bustle.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickensland
The Curious History of Dickens's London
by Lee Jackson
Pub Date 26 Sep 2023
Yale University Press
Biographies & Memoirs| History| Reference


Netgalley and Yale University Press sent me a copy of Dickensland to review:


Discover how tourists have reimagined and reinvented Dickens's London for more than 150 years:


The landmarks, streets, and alleys of Charles Dickens's London have been popular tourist spots ever since his death. People were obsessed with finding the "Dickensland" locations that featured in his novels during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. But his fans lived in a city that was undergoing rapid redevelopment, where literary shrines weren't sacred anymore. In the century that followed, Dickens' sites were demolished, relocated, and reimagined.


Lee Jackson explores Dickensian tourism both in real Victorian London and in a fictional city shaped by fandom, tourism, and heritage entrepreneurs. In this book, Jackson explores key literary pilgrimage sites and their relationship to Dickens and his work, revealing hidden, reinvented, and even faked locations. The curious history of Dickensland includes vanishing coaching inns, submerged riverside stairs, hidden burial grounds, and apocryphal shops.


I give Dickensland five out of five stats!


Happy Reading!

[Candy Wood]

This interesting book makes clear that while literary tourism didn’t begin in the 1880s—Dickens himself visited the Shakespeare birthplace in 1838—the popularity of his novels and a boom in transatlantic travel joined to make that decade an active one. Lee Jackson focuses especially on places that were already vanishing, being demolished to make way for railway lines and modern streets: coaching inns, burial grounds, slum neighborhoods. Victorian reformers didn’t want to preserve the sordid scenes Dickens described so vividly, as they demonstrated by rejecting Dickens Avenue as a name for the Aldwych/Kingsway project in the early 1900s. Jackson also discusses the theme parks phenomenon, places like the Old Curiosity Shop and Nancy’s Steps on London Bridge that have been marketed as Dickensian locations but aren’t. A chapter on film locations identifies places created in the studio. I would have like more about which names contributed to Dickens’s writing and which came after—for example, the Ragged School Museum in Copperfield Road, Mile End, points out that Dickens was a patron of the Barnardo school and borrowed the name for his character, but Jackson doesn't mention it.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

In exchange for an honest review, I obtained a copy of Dickensland by Lee Jackson, which I was fairly eager to read.

Although, I'm not the greatest of fans of Dickens, I thought, as an occasional resident of London, that this felt like a great read to see if I could pick up hints of Dickensian London and beyond.

Jackson does an admirable job throughout. He knows his Dickens, for sure. I think part of the problem is that the examples he cites all very much link to places that no longer exist. So, in terms of a guide, it's light on its feet, as an historical source, I felt it covered new ground. I think this book could perhaps be streamlined in terms of some of the wider information, which could be added to the notes and possibly more illustrations. I think it would be a book I would come back to in the future as each chapter is relatively self-contained, which is why it took a while to read.

[Darlene Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
I highly recommend this book to any reader of classic literature and any fan of Charles Dickens, the author.
Author and lecturer, Lee Jackson, approaches the topic of the draw Charles Dickens still has upon readers from a unique perspective. His focus is on the places featured in the novels; fictional though they are; and the desire for the readers to see the places they envisioned as they read. Fans still flock to Britain as literary tourists. With excerpts from the novels, historical and architectural facts, Jackson has written an interesting and enjoyable book on place and time, fictional and real. Well written and highly entertaining! Armchair travellers and actual tourists to London will find this book a wonderful reference.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a detailed guide through the physical, creative and metaphorical spaces of Dickensian London.

The author takes us nicely through various Dickens’ novels and how real life spaces feature in the novels. We also learn how people decided to ‘fake it’ and try to sell buildings as being based on places in Dickens. Once we’ve moved on from the real life places, we get to see the fictional spaces in musicals like Lionel Bart’s Oliver.

All in all this is a a descriptive, well researched book that fans of Dickens will love.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This overview of the literary tourism inspired by the works of Charles Dickens begins even before the author’s death in 1870 and continues to this day … heavily influenced by the American contingent of this phenomenon, a vast literature of guide-books, magazine articles, etc., plus various knick-knacks popularizing different characters, flooded the market … from the dubious authenticity of The Olde Curiosity Shop to the fraudulent Nancy’s Steps, London sites were appropriated in service to this craze … well-researched …

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book - it’s right up my alley. I love Dickens, history, and books about the real places book locations were based on. But this book was so disappointing. It was dry, boring, and I’m not really sure what he was trying to say with this. It reads like a bad thesis dissertation. This didn’t make me want to visit any of the locations, and I didn’t really get anything out of it. This book is perfectly summed up by the fact that the Dickens Chronology section which listed the publication dates of all his books…did not include A Christmas Carol.

[Wilhelm Marz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Jackson has done a great job with Dickensland. It goes down to details in how we can reconstruct the scenery and locations of Dickens's great works. Its not a simple matter of saying what was there. Jackson goes to great lengths to show how things have changed and what we would expect to find in such places at the time Dickens was writing. I think this book is very readable and a must read for history buffs and Dickens's fans.

[Justin K. Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, just make sure you're clear on understanding what it is about. It's not about what life was like back in the day...it's more about the intersection between attitudes towards Dickens locations and the intersection between fact and fiction, overlayed with literary tourism. A more complex subject matter, rendered effectively. Clearly a lot of people who read this book misunderstand its intention.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always fascinated by books about social history or some less known aspect of society.
This one was informative, entertaining and it could also work as travel guide if you want to go exploring places related to Dickens.
I learned a lot and I strongly recommend this book.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Eric St. Pierre · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're interested in learning about the history of London and its landmarks this is the book for you. It offers the brief history of places and monuments that formed Dickens' life and writing. However from a narrative standpoint it's lacking. It's just feels like a tourist guide at times. Still interesting though.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little dry for my taste, lots of names and dates and places which when listening on audio makes for a bit of a muddle in places.
It was interesting in parts but not enough to really hold me I'm disappointed to say.

It did give me an urge to get back to reading more Dickens and rekindled my appreciation.

[Geicodave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of "literary tourism" inspired by the life and writings of Charles Dickens.

[Shayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched but not entirely gripping on audio. Would enjoy this more if it was a documentary with visuals and maps.