Dickens: His Work and His World

By Michael Rosen

Book Overview

"The worlds of Charles Dickens, both his personal one and the ones he created, come alive in this terrific book, which will entice readers to his works." -- Booklist (starred review)

Join award-winning author, critic, and anthologist Michael Rosen for a spirited tour of the life and work of one of our greatest novelists. With stunning illustrations by Robert Ingpen, this accessible, child-friendly book vividly re-creates the world of Charles Dickens, from the author's childhood in London to his early career, his performances, and, of course, the great social and political upheavals of the time, which inspired so much of his work. Michael Rosen's vibrant discussion covers some of the best-known novels by Dickens, describing Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and David Copperfield, and providing a fascinating detailed analysis of Great Expectations. Back matter includes a time line and an index.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763627526
• ISBN13: 9780763627522
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 9.4" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

nice overview of Dickens

DICKENS: HIS WORK AND HIS WORLD by Michael Rosen is a nice introduction to Charles Dickens life and works. The book does a great job of placing both into their proper context. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter one "The Tour" gives a brief overview of Charles Dickens. It provides a glimpse into his talents performing in front of audiences and serves as an introduction as to WHY Dickens is so memorable. Chapter two "The Life" provides the reader a biographical summary of Dickens' life. "Great writers aren't often people born into some special family, nor are they necessarily very rich or very clever or very lucky. They're not always people who have seen or heard hundreds of amazing or odd things. But a great writer has to be someone who spends a good deal of time watching, listening, and wondering--and a good deal more time telling us about it" (12). Chapter Three "London" provides the reader with a description of the world in which Dickens lived and wrote. It discusses the cultural and political as well as physical environment in which he wrote. Chapter Four "The Work" discusses four literary masterpieces: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, OLIVER TRIST, DAVID COPPERFIELD, and GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Rosen devotes most of the chapter to his in-depth analysis of GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Chapter Five "Legacy" is a summary of why Dickens is still relevant to today's culture. The book concludes with a thorough timeline and index. (There is not a bibliography). Throughout DICKENS: HIS WORK AND HIS WORLD are one and two-page illustrations by Robert Ingpen, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen medal for illustration in 1986, which are magnificent. Rosen's style is conversational. He writes directly to the reader, often asking the reader to join in his questions and become involved in the text.