Student Companion to Charles Dickens

(Hardback)

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Description

Charles Dickens was one of the most popular writers of his age and is still considered to be one of the world's greatest novelists. This study surveys his unusual and prolific life, relating his fiction writings to his concerns and active involvement with social conditions of early Victorian England. An entire chapter is devoted to works such as "David Copperfield", "Hard Times", and "Christmas", as well as early novels like "The Pickwick Papers" and "Martin Chuzzlewit", analyzing plot, style and character development. This companion to Dickens will aid students in understanding the social context and literary impact of the author. The biographical chapter traces Dickens's life from his childhood through to the development of his multi-faceted literary career. This volume surveys all of Dickens's work and provides readings of five of his novels and his "Christmas" works, and the selected bibliography and reviews cover both original and contemporary sources.

Reviews

Admirably accessible....Such a good book is invaluable as we struggle to keep our students engaged in the literature that the call of other media makes more and more difficult to access with ease.-Students in English Literature
Glancy opens with a concise, objective biography of the author's life, emphasizing those events that inspired his work....The analyses of all of the major novels and short stories, with their academic, no-nonsense style, are what make this comprehensive student companion more useful than straight biographies or guides to the individual novels....The well-organized bibliography is arranged by subject. This book fills a gap in collections with a need for beyond-the-basics literary research materials.-School Library Journal
I was pleasantly surprised to find myself entertained and to learn some interesting facts about Dickens's life and work. The text is not intimidating or pedantic....If the Dickens volume is any indication, the series will prove to be a valuable addition to any high school library. Recommended.-The Book Report
Recommended for all schools studying this author.-Reference for Students -- GaleGroup.com Reviews
"Admirably accessible....Such a good book is invaluable as we struggle to keep our students engaged in the literature that the call of other media makes more and more difficult to access with ease."-Students in English Literature
"I was pleasantly surprised to find myself entertained and to learn some interesting facts about Dickens's life and work. The text is not intimidating or pedantic....If the Dickens volume is any indication, the series will prove to be a valuable addition to any high school library. Recommended."-The Book Report
"Recommended for all schools studying this author."-Reference for Students -- GaleGroup.com Reviews
"Glancy opens with a concise, objective biography of the author's life, emphasizing those events that inspired his work....The analyses of all of the major novels and short stories, with their academic, no-nonsense style, are what make this comprehensive student companion more useful than straight biographies or guides to the individual novels....The well-organized bibliography is arranged by subject. This book fills a gap in collections with a need for beyond-the-basics literary research materials."-School Library Journal

Author Bio

RUTH GLANCY is Associate Professor of English at Concordia University College of Alberta. She is author of several books and articles on Dickens including a companion to A Tale of Two Cities and two bibliographies. Best known for her work on Dickens and Christmas, she has edited his Christmas Books and Christmas Stories, and is regularly interviewed on the subject at Christmas time.