stephen_on_a_jet_plane's review against another edition
4.0
Callow writes with passion, flare and engaging enthusiasm about his favourite mastermind topic, the illustrious Charlie Dicks, capturing the charisma, contradictions and overriding sense of justice that defined the man.
toloveisdestroy's review against another edition
3.0
This is a wonderful biography on one of the most renowned authors in the universe, Charles Dickens. This story will make you realize how an authors life can truly be behind all of the pages of fictional characters. This story will make you cry over how saddening Charles life truly is.
fictionfan's review against another edition
5.0
Exuberant and boisterous…
Callow has written a superbly readable and affectionate account of the great man’s life, viewing it from the perspective of how Dickens’ love for the world of the theatre influenced his life and work. Interspersed generously with Dickens’ own words, taken from his correspondence with friends, we get a real feel for his massive personality, his sense of fun, his unstoppable energy and, yes, his occasional pomposity too.
Callow doesn’t shirk from telling us about the less flattering aspects of Dickens’ life – his appalling treatment of his wife, for instance, and the occasional bullying of his poor publishers. But he also reminds us of the social campaigning and the generosity to family, friends and colleagues. The account is a linear one, so we find out what Dickens was involved in at the time of writing each of his novels and get a feel for the inspiration for each one.
Callow concentrates in considerable depth on Dickens the showman – the many theatrical performances he wrote for, played in and directed in his early life; and then the tremendous and punishing public readings of his own works which came to dominate so much of his later years. Here was an author who gave generously to his adoring public and who thrived on the adulation he was shown in return.
I’ve been in love with Dickens the writer for most of my life and now having read this fabulous biography I have fallen in love with Dickens the man! If I tell you that I cried when Dickens died (not an altogether unexpected plot development) then it will give you some idea of how much of the humanity of the man Callow has managed to reveal. I have been left wanting to re-read so many of the novels and stories, not to mention the letters – thank goodness for my copy of The Complete Works.
An exuberant and boisterous biography – a fitting tribute to this exuberant and remarkable man. Highly, highly recommended.
Callow has written a superbly readable and affectionate account of the great man’s life, viewing it from the perspective of how Dickens’ love for the world of the theatre influenced his life and work. Interspersed generously with Dickens’ own words, taken from his correspondence with friends, we get a real feel for his massive personality, his sense of fun, his unstoppable energy and, yes, his occasional pomposity too.
Callow doesn’t shirk from telling us about the less flattering aspects of Dickens’ life – his appalling treatment of his wife, for instance, and the occasional bullying of his poor publishers. But he also reminds us of the social campaigning and the generosity to family, friends and colleagues. The account is a linear one, so we find out what Dickens was involved in at the time of writing each of his novels and get a feel for the inspiration for each one.
Callow concentrates in considerable depth on Dickens the showman – the many theatrical performances he wrote for, played in and directed in his early life; and then the tremendous and punishing public readings of his own works which came to dominate so much of his later years. Here was an author who gave generously to his adoring public and who thrived on the adulation he was shown in return.
I’ve been in love with Dickens the writer for most of my life and now having read this fabulous biography I have fallen in love with Dickens the man! If I tell you that I cried when Dickens died (not an altogether unexpected plot development) then it will give you some idea of how much of the humanity of the man Callow has managed to reveal. I have been left wanting to re-read so many of the novels and stories, not to mention the letters – thank goodness for my copy of The Complete Works.
An exuberant and boisterous biography – a fitting tribute to this exuberant and remarkable man. Highly, highly recommended.
originstorytoloveisdestroy's review against another edition
3.0
This is a wonderful biography on one of the most renowned authors in the universe, Charles Dickens. This story will make you realize how an authors life can truly be behind all of the pages of fictional characters. This story will make you cry over how saddening Charles life truly is.
jodielk93's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a lovely biography - very brief in parts and deep in others. Very interesting and lively way of entering into Dickens and who he was. Callow's writing is so simple and so conversational you don't feel like you're reading an endless list of unfamiliar names and dates. You feel like someone is sitting you down to talk about someone they admire.
emilygigs's review
4.0
Delightfully Dickensian literary biography of Dickens himself--shorter than the Tomalin, with a different bent than Jane Smiley's Penguin Lives entry. Illuminating and amusing, and the British package is wicked adorable on my cubicle bookshelf.
jodielk93's review
5.0
This was such a lovely biography - very brief in parts and deep in others. Very interesting and lively way of entering into Dickens and who he was. Callow's writing is so simple and so conversational you don't feel like you're reading an endless list of unfamiliar names and dates. You feel like someone is sitting you down to talk about someone they admire.
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