The Life and Lies of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens' life is revealed through newly accessible archives, including gaps, inconsistencies, and lies. Helena Kelly's biography, Jane Austen, the Secret Radical, offers a fresh perspective on the man who remains one of Britain's best-known novelists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Icon Books

Charles Dickens' life is a fascinating tale that has captivated readers for generations. However, what many people don't know is that the story we've come to know is not the complete truth. In fact, a newly accessible archive of documents reveals that the authorized biography written by Dickens' close friend John Forster 150 years ago contains numerous gaps, inconsistencies, and outright lies.

One of the most shocking revelations is the existence of Dickens' sister, whose existence he kept secret throughout his life. This sister played a significant role in his upbringing, but her existence was never publicly acknowledged by Dickens. Furthermore, the biography reveals that Dickens had Jewish relations whose faith he strove to conceal. This concealment of his religious background raises questions about his attitudes towards Jews and his role in the wider societal context of the time.

The biography also sheds light on Dickens' personal life, including his struggles with plagiarism, fraud, and suicide. It reveals that he was not always the charming and lovable character that he is portrayed as in his novels. Instead, he was a complex individual with a troubled past and a complicated personality.

Helena Kelly, the acclaimed author of Jane Austen, the Secret Radical, has taken on the task of retelling Dickens' story from his childhood to his deathbed. In her book, Kelly uncovers the truths that Dickens tried to keep hidden and offers a fresh and deeply troubling perspective on the man who remains one of Britain's best-known novelists.

What makes Kelly's book so compelling is her ability to humanize Dickens and to shed light on the complexities of his character. She delves into his relationships with his family, his friends, and his lovers, and reveals the struggles and hardships that he faced throughout his life. Through her research, Kelly has uncovered a side of Dickens that is often overlooked or ignored, and she provides a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the man.

One of the most troubling aspects of Kelly's book is her analysis of Dickens' treatment of women. She reveals that he was often dismissive and condescending towards women, and that his novels often perpetuate harmful stereotypes and attitudes towards them. This portrayal of women is particularly concerning given the time in which Dickens lived, when women were largely marginalized and oppressed.

Despite these troubling revelations, Kelly's book is not without its redeeming qualities. She offers a fresh perspective on Dickens' work, highlighting the themes and messages that he tried to convey through his novels. She also provides a valuable insight into the social and political context of the time, which shaped Dickens' life and work.

In conclusion, Charles Dickens' life is a complex and fascinating tale that has been shrouded in secrecy and myth. However, the newly accessible archive of documents reveals that the authorized biography written by John Forster contains numerous gaps, inconsistencies, and outright lies. Helena Kelly's book, Jane Austen, the Secret Radical, provides a fresh and deeply troubling perspective on the man who remains one of Britain's best-known novelists. Through her research and analysis, Kelly sheds light on the complexities of Dickens' character, his treatment of women, and the social and political context of the time. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the man behind the novels and the impact that he had on literature and society.

Dimension: 234 x 153 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837731046