Charles Dickens-Hard Times and Great Expectations - Alan Taylor

Part of the Inspirations series of short books introducing big characters.

From his early twenties Charles Dickens was the world’s most celebrated novelist.

Nor since his death in 1870 has much changed.

His books, such as Great Expectations, David Copperfield and Oliver Twist, are still read with admiration and awe, while characters like Squeers and Fagan, Pickwick and Gradgrind, remain as familiar as when they were first encountered.

Meanwhile, Dickens’ own life, as Alan Taylor relates in this short but perfectly-formed biography, was as fascinating and colourful as any of those he invented.