Biography of Charles Dickens - by G.K. Chesterton - FREE FULL AUDIOBOOK

Charles John Huffam Dickens ˈdɪkɪnz 7 February 1812 9 June 1870 was an English novelist and social critic who created some of the worlds best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.1 His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and by the 20th century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read today.23 Born in Portsmouth Dickens left school at the age of 12 to work in a boot-blacking factory when his father John was incarcerated in a debtors prison. After three years he returned to school before he began his literary career as a journalist. Dickens edited a weekly journal for 20 years wrote 15 novels five novellas hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles lectured and performed readings extensively was an indefatigable letter writer and campaigned vigorously for childrens rights for education and for other social reforms. Dickenss literary success began with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers a publishing phenomenonthanks largely to the introduction of the character Sam Weller in the fourth episodethat sparked Pickwick merchandise and spin-offs. Within a few years Dickens had become an international literary celebrity famous for his humour satire and keen observation of character and society. His novels most of them published in monthly or weekly installments pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication.45 Cliffhanger endings in his serial publications kept readers in suspense.6 The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audiences reaction and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback.5 For example when his wifes chiropodist expressed distress at the way Miss Mowcher in David Copperfield seemed to reflect her own disabilities Dickens improved the character with positive features.7 His plots were carefully constructed and he often wove elements from topical events into his narratives.8 Masses of the illiterate poor would individually pay a halfpenny to have each new monthly episode read to them opening up and inspiring a new class of readers.9 His 1843 novella A Christmas Carol remains especially popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every creative medium. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted and like many of his novels evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities set in London and Paris is his best-known work of historical fiction. The most famous celebrity of his era he undertook in response to public demand a series of public reading tours in the later part of his career.10 The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings such as poor social or working conditions or comically repulsive characters.1112 The above details is sourced for Wikipedia. For more details:,

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