Introduction to Dickens

Describes the background of each of Dickens' major works, looks at their relationship to events from his life, and discusses his style and themes

In this interesting, instructive, and well-written introduction, Ackroyd, who sees Dickens as epitomizing his era in his life and his work, provides an excellent overview of both for unacquainted readers. Though he successfully shows how Dickens turned personal concerns into stories of universal appeal, some of the connections he makes between Dickens's life and his work seem strained. Furthermore, the absence of a bibliography and an index limit the book's usefulness for students. This paperback is reasonably priced, but libraries may want to put the money toward something more substantial like Ackroyd's own Dickens: Life & Times ( LJ 2/15/91), which covers the same territory in much more depth.
-Judy Mimken, Saginaw Valley State Univ., Mich.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.