Charles Dickens? The famed author? The prolific Englishman?
Yes, “Great Expectations, the Sons and Daughters of Charles Dickens” by Robert Gottlieb, first edition, 2012.
As high school students, Charles Dickens was presented to us as a genius, a saint. His childhood and character flaws were not discussed. We learned little to nothing about his family.
Cultural differences aside, his 11 biological children were both adored as infants and disparaged as they grew older. Strongly criticized, their aspirations diminished with failure after failure due to circumstances often beyond their control.
This book has two chapters dedicated to each child, one concerning their life before Dickens’ death and one after, clearly delineate their positions with many references to other authors, family letters and recorded conversations.
One daughter, Dora, and a son, generally accepted, died in infancy. Catherine, wife, mother, outcast, has our most sympathy, as she was put out of her childrens’ lives in their early years, which must have had greatly influenced their growth.
To avoid being totally negative, his children loved him, were proud of his fame and enjoyed the pleasures of the public’s esteem.
This author is thorough and in addition, he discusses the characters of Dickens’ works quite insightfully.
Eye-opener for this reader; perhaps you as well?
