Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The
opinions expressed here are my own.
I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t wait for Christmas
to come to watch “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. After reading this
book my feelings toward the author have been tainted. While I saw him as a wonderful and successful
writer, I never knew who he was. To understand who he was you must understand
the Victorian time period he lived in.
Imagine you have married the man of your dreams only to have
him blame you for everything that he doesn’t like in your marriage. Imagine
your young sister who lives with you to help you with your children, suddenly
sides with your husband. You are removed
from your home, while your sister and your children stay with your husband.
This is for the most part a fictionalized account. We know
for a fact that Charles Dickens was separated from his wife. We also know that
even though he wrote terrible things about her. She kept her mouth shut. Part
of this I believe was because she loved him, and part of it was because that is
the way things were handled during this time period. Women pretty much had no rights. She was publicly humiliated through his
writings. Up until her death she pretty much kept quiet. Yet she made sure her
daughter received letters Charles had sent her to be sent to the Smithsonian.
It was her way of letting the world know he really wasn’t all that bad. She believed this until her death. Maybe that
is what helped her survive this situation.
Even though this story took place in the 1800’s this could
be anyone’s story today. I believe that is why it is such a good book. It is so
applicable to present time. A great book
to be read by anyone wanting to know more about the real Charles Dickens.
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