In Dialogue with Dickens: The Mind of the Heart

This book explores the relationship between feeling and thinking in Charles Dickens' novels, presenting him as a psychological thinker who improvises and revises his work, shifting moods and tones. It focuses on four middle-period novels and draws on personal letters and prefaces to demonstrate the connection between reading and responding to fiction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This captivating book delves into the intricate relationship between feeling and thinking in Charles Dickens' novels. Written in a back-and-forth dialogue between the two authors, it presents Dickens as a psychological thinker whose generative thought can be conscious, unconscious, half-conscious, or in transit between different states. What sets this Dickens apart is his constant live process, where he improvises from one monthly number to the next, subtly revising as he goes, shifting moods, tenses, and tones from one paragraph to the next. The chapters approach this inquiry through close readings of chosen passages, including studies of telling revisions in Dickens' manuscripts that reveal the power of his deepened second thoughts. They also draw on selected moments from his personal letters and prefaces, which serve as sketches or rehearsals for thoughts and feelings that come to life when transformed into fiction.

The book focuses on four novels from Dickens' great middle period: Dombey and Son, David Copperfield, Bleak House, and Little Dorrit. However, it also makes excursions into earlier and later Dickens novels, such as A Tale of Two Cities and Our Mutual Friend. The experiment of intense but informal conversation between the authors not only models the relationship between feeling and thinking in the act of reading and responding to powerful moves in fiction but also adds a personal and intimate dimension to the exploration.

Through their engaging dialogue, the authors shed light on how Dickens' novels delve into the depths of human emotions and the complexities of the human mind. They highlight the ways in which Dickens' characters are shaped by their feelings and how their thoughts influence their actions and decisions. They also discuss the themes of love, friendship, power, and morality that run throughout his works and how they resonate with readers today.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the literature and psychology of Charles Dickens. It offers a fresh perspective on his works and provides a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between feeling and thinking in his novels. Whether you are a fan of Dickens or a scholar seeking to explore his rich literary legacy, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper appreciation of his remarkable talent.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192886743