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S'està carregant… Becoming Dickens: The Invention of a Novelistde Robert Douglas-Fairhurst
   Cap No hi ha cap discussió a Converses sobre aquesta obra.   ) mrsnickleby | Nov 23, 2023 |  MarilynKinnon | Mar 7, 2015 | This fact captures what appears to be intended as the thesis of Robert Douglas-Fairhurstês Becoming Dickens. The book is intended as a counterweight to what might be called the Whig history of Dickens, the inevitable march from Sketches by Box to the Pickwick Papers all the way through to completing the first half of The Mystery of Edwin Drood before his death. Instead, Douglas-Fairhurst focuses on the first 26 years of DickensÂê life, ending in 1838 when he first signed a novel with the name ÂÃÃCharles Dickens.ÂàThe thesis is that before Dickens settled into his role as novelist, he pursued a number of other potential careers. Douglas-Fairhurst zooms in on several of these, starting with the blacking factory, as a clerk, in a law office, as a parliamentary reporter, and even after his current trajectory started, branching off into writing plays, editing memoirs, etc. Every single page of the book is interesting and insightful, very light on the biography and heavy on the literary criticism ÂÃà either how events were later reflected in the multiplicity of DickensÂê or deeper dives into some of the early individual pieces, like the first story Dickens wrote, ÂÃÃA Dinner at Poplar Walk.ÂàEvery chapter works as a unified essay. But the chapterÂês donÂêt add up to a book that supports the thesis or provides a completely original insight into Dickens life. In part this is because Dickens became a hugely popular writer at age 24 so there really were not a lot of roads not taken. In part, this is because Dickens continued to restlessly follow multiple paths his entire life, as an editor, public speaker and amateur dramatist, among other vocations. And in part all of this has been well told before, by Michael Slater and others. Becoming Dickens is still an excellent book. Just not quite as original or proven as the premise it sets up. ( ) nosajeel | Jun 21, 2014 |  ) pnorman4345 | Dec 15, 2012 | This fact captures what appears to be intended as the thesis of Robert Douglas-Fairhurst’s Becoming Dickens. The book is intended as a counterweight to what might be called the Whig history of Dickens, the inevitable march from Sketches by Box to the Pickwick Papers all the way through to completing the first half of The Mystery of Edwin Drood before his death. Instead, Douglas-Fairhurst focuses on the first 26 years of Dickens’ life, ending in 1838 when he first signed a novel with the name “Charles Dickens.” The thesis is that before Dickens settled into his role as novelist, he pursued a number of other potential careers. Douglas-Fairhurst zooms in on several of these, starting with the blacking factory, as a clerk, in a law office, as a parliamentary reporter, and even after his current trajectory started, branching off into writing plays, editing memoirs, etc. Every single page of the book is interesting and insightful, very light on the biography and heavy on the literary criticism – either how events were later reflected in the multiplicity of Dickens’ or deeper dives into some of the early individual pieces, like the first story Dickens wrote, “A Dinner at Poplar Walk.” Every chapter works as a unified essay. But the chapter’s don’t add up to a book that supports the thesis or provides a completely original insight into Dickens life. In part this is because Dickens became a hugely popular writer at age 24 so there really were not a lot of roads not taken. In part, this is because Dickens continued to restlessly follow multiple paths his entire life, as an editor, public speaker and amateur dramatist, among other vocations. And in part all of this has been well told before, by Michael Slater and others. Becoming Dickens is still an excellent book. Just not quite as original or proven as the premise it sets up. ( )2  jasonlf | Oct 16, 2011 | Sense ressenyes | afegeix-hi una ressenya
Premis
Becoming Dickens tells the story of how an ambitious young Londoner became England's greatest novelist. In following the twists and turns of Charles Dickens's early career, Robert Douglas-Fairhurst examines a remarkable double transformation: in reinventing himself Dickens reinvented the form of the novel. It was a high-stakes gamble, and Dickens never forgot how differently things could have turned out. Like the hero of Dombey and Son, he remained haunted by "what might have been, and what was not. "In his own lifetime, Dickens was without rivals. He styled himself simply "The Inimitable." But he was not always confident about his standing in the world. From his traumatized childhood to the suicide of his first collaborator and the sudden death of the woman who had a good claim to being the love of his life, Dickens faced powerful obstacles. Before settling on the profession of novelist, he tried his hand at the law and journalism, considered a career in acting, and even contemplated emigrating to the West Indies. Yet with The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, and a groundbreaking series of plays, sketches, and articles, he succeeded in turning every potential breakdown into a breakthrough. Douglas-Fairhurst's provocative new biography, focused on the 1830's, portrays a restless and uncertain Dickens who could not decide on the career path he should take and would never feel secure in his considerable achievements. No s'han trobat descripcions de biblioteca. |
Debats actualsCapCobertes populars
 Google Books — S'està carregant…GèneresClassificació Decimal de Dewey (DDC)823.8Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Victorian period 1837-1900LCC (Clas. Bibl. Congrés EUA)ValoracióMitjana: (4.17)
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