Illustration by John Leech of Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by a ghost, 1843 (British Library)
"Please, sir, I want some more." –Oliver Twist dares to request more gruel.
With his gripping plots, vivid characters, and penetrating social commentary, Charles Dickens always left his readers wanting more. The prolific author of Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and remains one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. From his early hardships in a shoe-blacking factory through his wildly popular performances of his own works, Dickens lived a life filled with stunning triumphs and tragic reversals—one might say, almost as adventurous and dramatic as one of his own novels.
Follow the life and career of Charles Dickens through the best of times and the worst of times with author Daniel Stashower. He explores Dickens’ life and legacy while actor Scott Sedar reads a selection of the writer’s most celebrated works. Afterward, have a piece of special cake and raise a toast to the premier storyteller of the Victorian age.
