Hungerford Stairs: An Untold Tale of Charles Dickens

After Charles Dickens' death, his friend and biographer, John Forster, discovers a 'lost manuscript' that offers a different perspective on the year the young author spent working in a blacking factory. The manuscript reveals Charles' involvement in a criminal network and the challenges he faced in balancing family, paid work, and the London underworld.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 28 July 2023
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

Following Charles Dickens' untimely demise, his close companion and biographer, John Forster, unearthed a 'lost manuscript' that presents a significantly divergent perspective on the year the young author spent working in a blacking factory. However, the question remains: is this account rooted in fact or fiction?

In the early 1820s, the Dickens family embarks on a new chapter in their lives by relocating to London. Charles, affectionately known as 'Charley,' is just eleven years old and eager to pursue his education. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, his family finds themselves in a precarious financial predicament, leading to his employment in a boot-blacking factory at Hungerford Stairs.

As his father's misfortune deepens, Charley's determination to contribute to the family's income propels him into the clutches of a criminal network under the enigmatic Mr Magnus. The juxtaposition of demeaning factory work and the perilous underworld he becomes entangled in places an immense strain on Charley, particularly at a time when his mother and siblings rely heavily on him for support.

The complexity of Charley's situation escalates when he encounters the enigmatic Mr Hesketh. How can the future novelist navigate the demands of family, paid employment, and the perilous underworld amidst a rapidly evolving landscape that spans from casual abuse to violent confrontations, ultimately culminating in the hangman's noose?

This captivating 'lost manuscript' sheds light on the tumultuous period of Charles Dickens' life, providing a unique insight into the challenges he faced and the sacrifices he made in his pursuit of literary greatness. Through its pages, we witness the resilience and determination of a young man determined to overcome adversity and forge his own path, even in the darkest of times.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 129 x 200 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805140108