Dickens emerges as an energetic, complicated man with extraordinary powers of observation and a propensity for periods of depression. Born in 1812, he was the oldest son of John Dickens, a perpetually-optimistic father whose lack of money management skills kept the family in continual debt. When Charles was twelve, all of his family— except for him and his older sister—moved into a debtor's prison. Charles was forced to work long hours in a rat-infested factory and fend for himself, living in a small rented room. This experience affected him deeply and influenced much of his writing. When he was nineteen, he began working for a newspaper and launched his writing career with the serialized publication of Sketches of Boz, followed quickly with The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. His talent was discovered and his niche was found. Most of his novels were first published in serialized form. His marriage at age 24 produced ten children, but his family life always took second place to his passion for writing. After twenty-two years of living together, Dickens separated from his wife, establishing her in her own home and dismissing her from his life. Dickens became a financial success through the sales of his stories and his reading tours. Unfortunately, Caravantes' desire to include all of the details, along with all of the dates in Dickens' life sometimes makes for tedious reading. Copies of archival photographs are strategically placed throughout the text. A timeline, source notes, web sites, a bibliography, and an index contribute to the value of the book for young researchers. 2005, Morgan Reynolds Publishing, Ages 12 to 18.
—Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.
Gr 7 Up-Caravantes discusses the writer's early influences that resulted in his interest in exploring social ills in his work. Through his flair for drama, his tendency to exaggerate, and his heartfelt emotions about the causes about which he wrote, Dickens not only provided entertainment to his audiences, but also awakened them to the plight of the poor. He is glowingly portrayed throughout most of this chronological account. Negative incidents tend to be glossed over or made to seem as though the subject were a victim of circumstance or simply of fate. His devotion to other women seemed to be due to his wife's frail health, and to emotional, as well as geographical, distance. Many photos, drawings, and reproductions in color and in black and white enhance the text. In spite of the author's bias, the book is interesting reading and well documented. It will not only provide material for reports, but will also be enjoyed by biography buffs.-Marilyn Fairbanks, Azure IRC, Brockton High School, MA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
