Dickens, Journalism, Music: 'Household Words' and 'All The Year Round'

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Dickens, Journalism, Music presents the first full analysis of the articles on music published in the two journals conducted by Charles Dickens, Household Words and its successor, All the Year Round. Robert Bledsoe examines the editorial influence of Dickens on articles written by a range of writers and what it reveals about his own developing attitude to music and its social role in parks, community singing groups, music halls and on the streets. The book also looks at the difference between the two journals and how the greater coverage of classical music and opera in All the Year Round reflects the increasing importance of music to Dickens in his later life.

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In Dickens, Journalism, Music Robert Bledsoeoffersa meticulously thorough and informative exploration of musical topics treatedin Household Words and All the Year Round, and further examinesDickens's personal relations with musicians and music critics. Alert tocontradictions and developments between articles which Dickens published overnearly twenty years, Bledsoe provides judicious assessment of Dickens's musicaltastes. He thoughtfully discusses music in relation to Dickens's wider concernsand convincingly demonstrates its importance for an understanding of both hislife and works. -- Dr Paul Schlicke, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the School of Language & Literature, University of Aberdeen, UK.
A hugely welcome addition tothe new wave of scholarly work on Dickens's weekly journals ... Professor Bledsoeis an insightful and careful analyst of a considerable body of neglectedmaterial. He illuminates out the importance of music to Dickens's art andsocial thinking. -- Professor John M. L. Drew, University of Buckingham
This valuable, enlightening analysis of a neglected aspect of Dickens's journalism will be of interest to students of Dickens and Victorian culture in general.Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.-- J. D. Vann, University of North Texas -- CHOICE Reviews

Author Bio

Robert Terrell Bledsoe is Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at El Paso, USA. He is the author of Henry Fothergill Chorley: VictorianJournalist and has contributed articles to leading Victorian Studiesjournals and major reference works.