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Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World
2022: Other Books
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Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World by Simon Callow - 5 stars
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I've been wondering about this one. It sounds like one I need. Thanks for this review.
My pleasure! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.As an aside, I found a DVD of Simon Callow portraying Dickens. It's called The Mystery of Charles Dickens. I bought a copy but haven't watched it yet.
Biography of Charles Dicken by British actor Simon Callow, focused on Dickens’s love of the theatre. It provides excellent insight into what Dickens was like as a person. It is not a comprehensive discussion of the writing of his books but mentions all fifteen in sequence. Dickens had a “difficult” personality in some respects, which comes through in his relationship with his wife and his publishers. The book covers his upbringing, travels, family, friendships, work ethic, and many lesser-known elements of his life.
It portrays the manner in which his childhood influenced the content of his books. His deep sympathy with the poor started early in his life. At age twelve, he worked 10-hour days in a boot-blacking factory while his father was being held in Marshalsea Debtor’s Prison. He wrote his first book as a series of monthly installments at age 24 and he was still writing when he died at age 58. Later in life, Dickens achieved even more acclaim due to his public readings. It is obvious that he loved the theatre and put a great deal of emotion and effort into these performances.
Simon Callow does a wonderful job narrating the audio book. His pacing is just right. He performs various accents – Scottish, Irish, American, various English regional accents, and a specific voice for Dickens himself. If you have never read a biography of Dickens, this book is a great starting point. It made me want to read more of Dickens’s books. I loved it!