Charles Dickens: A Tale Of Two Centuries

Susan Elkins at the British newspaper the Independent looks at the best books on Charles Dickens during his bicentennial year.

If Charles Dickens were as immortal as his writing, he would be celebrating his 200th birthday on 7 February. He may be – like Jacob Marley – as dead as a doornail, but culturally he's never been more alive, thanks to all of those timeless themes in his work. We are still wrestling with Orlick-style crime; punishment for men such as Sykes; daunting lawyers such as Jaggers; greedy industrialists such as Merdle and terrible poverty for Oliver Twist-like children. And family anxieties, tensions, miseries and joys – think Micawber, Pocket, Cratchit, Wemmick and Gradgrind – have changed remarkably little.

...in acknowledgement of his bicentenary, the Dickens commentators, critics, editors and creative responders have been busy producing new books.

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/charles-dickens-a-tale-of-two-centuries-6292734.html

You can also read an earlier post on the preparation of the Dickens bicentennial via the below link:

http://pauldavisoncrime.blogspot.com/2012/01/britain-prepares-for-charles-dickens.html

Britain Prepares For Charles Dickens' 200th Birth Anniversary

Monami Thakur at the International Business Times reports that the United Kingdom is gearing up to celebrate the birth of author Charles Dickens, who was born on February 7, 1812

 The year 2012 marks the bicentenary of Victorian author Charles Dickens known for creating some of the most iconic novels and characters of English literature. Throughout Britain, a host of exhibitions, events and activities are being organised to celebrate the life and work of the famed author.

... To commemorate this special anniversary, a website "Dickens 2012" has been set up providing details about all the celebrations across Britain and worldwide. This mainly includes special commemorative exhibitions that are being held in London and the UK while venues in France, Switzerland and the US will showcase the rich heritage of Dickens's life.

"Although a writer from the Victorian era, Dickens's work transcends his time, language and culture. He remains a massive contemporary influence throughout the world and his writings continue to inspire film, TV, art, literature, artists and academia," the site Dickens 2012 states.

You can read the rest of the story via the below link:

http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/275208/20120102/britain-prepares-charles-dickens-200th-birth-anniversary.htm