Tomalin clearly recognizes that Dickens was a complex character-much too complex to label and “pigeon-hole.” “He left a trail like a meteor and everyone finds their own version of. He would be much less pleased to know how much is known about the less flattering side of his character: his betrayal of his wife, his heartless dismissal of family and friends, his philandering, his unethical dealings with publishers, and his obsession with money. Her meticulously researched and documented study explores Dickens’ strengths and weaknesses, presenting opposing sides of controversial issues, and speculating on probable truths based upon extant evidence–both concrete and circumstantial.ĭickens would undoubtedly be pleased to know that he is still highly regarded for his novels, his journalism, his philanthropy, and his efforts at social reform. Claire Tomalin has written an outstanding biography of Charles Dickens, published for the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Britain’s greatest 19th-century novelist.
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