The Life of Our Lord: With a New Afterword and Notes

by Charles Dickens, Tim Dalgleish

The attitudes and aims of Charles Dickens as a novelist, and the underpinnings of his literary work, were founded on a faith in the moral creeds of Christianity. This beautifully written short rendition of the gospels, set down for his children, is illuminating for the reader interested in his literary outlook and Christians interested in the Unitarianism of Dickens.

This new edition of 'The Life of Our Lord' by Charles Dickens contains the foreword by Dickens' daughter, Mamie, the original foreword to the American edition published by Simon and Schuster, and a new afterword by Tim Dalgleish.

This book, as Mamie wrote, was 'the last work of Charles Dickens to be published, [and] has an individual interest and purpose that separate it completely from everything else that Dickens wrote.. the manuscript [was] peculiarly personal to the novelist, and is not so much a revelation of his mind as a tribute to his heart and humanity' and the editor adds,

'It’s perhaps not a surprise that a great novelist was drawn to recapturing the spirit of the New Testament for his children. Words were his trade. The immediate Christianity of ‘the book’ rather than the religion of the world was what compelled the writing, by hand, of this account of the life of Jesus Christ... Dickens had no particular interest in following church edicts or publicly professing his faith. In fact, such an attitude was antithetical to his outlook.'

87 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2025

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want a bear hug from Jesus right now.

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigued by Dickens’ take on the life of Jesus Christ, inspired by the private desire of leaving such testimony for his children. Readers are blessed to have ultimately been granted access to this script. In terms of this version, I disagree with many of the editor’s (i.e Tim Dalgleish) statements and characterizations. Some views, perspectives and reasonings are inconsistent with his own employed logic. There are harsh characterizations of Dickens which could apply to him, including being able to say that he is “clearly” ignorant (borrowing from his own statements of Dickens) of Christianity and the rules of interpretation of the Old and New Testament. I may afford him more credibility if he had cited sources for his arguments, instead of disguising his opinions as “facts”, “theological” or even “historical” conclusions. It’s unfortunate that many people who may lack the context or educational background on the matters raised by the editor will be misguided/miseducated.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple review of Christ’s life for children with some rudimentary explanation and also some instruction on virtue and morality at a child’s level. Some information is inaccurate when compared to the Bible. Some of the inaccuracies could be explained that it is for children and so some details are omitted or glossed over.
The ‘author’s’ afterword was of little value in my opinion.