Charlesdickens

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“The door whispers shut behind us. Above us, the moon drives its sickle through the encumbrances of cloud. Beneath us, veils of mist blossom from the pavement, weave through the ochre day-fog, and bind it tight. The world is falling away.”

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Eva_B

The Dickens Boy | Tom Keneally

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Thomas Keneally is one of those prolific Australian authors that rarely disappoints. His novels are often based on real historical events and people. This one is about one of the two sons of Charles Dickens who settled in Australia. Written beautifully and captures the characters and late 1860s Australia perfectly. And obviously lots of references about the life Charles Dickens and his works. Interesting and a good read

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TeamFiction

Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
#ATaleOfTwoCities #CharlesDickens #lastline #closingline #book #books #bookdesign #bookdesigner #bookdeal #bookdeals #bookdealer #bookdragon #bookdragons #bookfeature #bookfeatures #bookfair #bookfandom #bookfever #bookfanatic #Classics #Fiction #HistoricalFiction #Literature #Historical #School #Novels #19thCentury

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Robotswithpersonality

Dodger | Terry Pratchett

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When you think about the Discworld, especially those books set in the city and among the characters of Ankh-Morpork, it becomes clear that Pratchett can and has written historical fiction well; he'd basically written cusp-of-steam-power industrial age London with fantasy mods for years.
In the acknowledgements, Pratchett himself describes this book as historical fantasy, less because of any overt fantastical happenings, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? but because he fully admits the timeline of certain people was fudged with to get them all in the vicinity of the story.
There are a number of historical figures and one notable literary character, at least in part borrowed from Charles Dickens. From what I gather this Dodger is not an exact match for the Artful Dodger, and those characters around him are Pratchett's own design, when not borrowed from history. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 3/? I do wonder if being English makes those people encountered a more significant experience, as they are part of a specific nation's history, and indeed are more likely to have been part of an English primary education. They were not part of my Canadian one, as it is I did a little Googling along the way. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 4/? While I see this as more of a historical novel than a historical fantasy, it is nonetheless fun to see historical figures brought to life for certain 'what if' encounters, and considering the dreary realities of the time in question, witnessing a satisfying happily ever after for a character who represents a group of people who rarely saw such a thing. 1mo

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Nonetheless, Pratchett doesn't shrink from the realities of the day, the poverty and squalor, the classism, intolerance, multiple references to veterans negatively affected by war, traumatized or injured, or both.
As such, I'd like to add a gentle caution for those who may have seen a later edition with what I'd call a Disney-fied cover. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 6/? This story is, though festooned with Pratchett's characteristic whimsy and humour, fairly gritty. It is not, as I first thought, something I'd classify as YA, even if the protagonist is in his late teens. The cover of the volume I have, with Dodger stepping out of a sewer with a straight razor facing down the shadows of people looming feels particularly appropriate, even if I still don't love Paul Kidby's art style. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 7/? I don't know where the character of Solomon Cohen (from what I can tell, not a Dickens character or a historical figure) falls in regards to portrayal of a Jewish character, I think he fits in well with the fictional, gritty historical London Pratchett has portrayed, but I wonder if once again he's dancing in the land of satire challenging stereotypes which has the potential to be misconstrued. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Chalk this work into the column of historical fiction books I have enjoyed, a rarified list based on my preferences.

⚠️domestic abuse, assault, miscarriage 1mo

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Robotswithpersonality

Dodger | Terry Pratchett

“because a young man could get into trouble winking at gentlemen“ ...oh, yes?! 😉
So the internet tells me the winker, Mister Disraeli, is probably a former Prime Mister of the United Kingdom, another kind of dodger indeed. 😏 Pratchett is just having a marvelous time footling about in London history. 😁

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Eggs

Mr. Dickens and His Carol: A Novel of Christmas Past | Samantha Silva

“…a good biography tells us the truth about a person; a good story tells the truth about ourselves.”

#Scrooge #ChristmasCheer

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 😍 1mo

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Eggs @lil1inblue 🎄❤️🎄 1mo

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MittenGirlPeach

Mr. Dickens and His Carol: A Novel of Christmas Past | Samantha Silva

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I got this book last year in a Yule swap, and it was a terrific read. Victorian London, Christmas, the human spirit, and a good yarn. Solid pick, perfect holiday tale. Hope it was a good day for all, no matter how you celebrate.

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