The Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 3, 1836-1870

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25854

Title

The Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 3, 1836-1870

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume completes the definitive collection of Charles Dickens's correspondence, spanning from 1836 to his death in 1870. Edited by his sister-in-law and eldest daughter, it offers an intimate glimpse into the author's personal life, professional struggles, and deep affection for his family. Featuring letters to friends, critics, and colleagues, the text reveals Dickens's wit, his grief over the loss of his wife, and his enduring commitment to his work and public service.

Summary up to 500 words

The Letters of Charles Dickens, Volume 3, chronicles the final twenty-four years of the author's life, spanning from 1836 to his death in 1870. This collection offers an intimate, chronological glimpse into the private thoughts of a public figure, blending professional anxieties with profound personal sorrow. The volume opens in 1836 with Dickens grappling over the reception of his opera productions. He expresses frustration with harsh critics in papers like *The Examiner* and *The Sunday Times*, yet maintains a resilient confidence in his dramatic ventures, relying on the enthusiastic support of performers like Braham. A pivotal moment in the correspondence occurs following the death of his wife, Kate, in 1837. Letters to his sister-in-law, Mrs. Hogarth, reveal a man consumed by grief, cherishing memories of their shared happiness and finding solace in faith and family bonds. Diary entries from 1838 further illustrate his daily struggle to write despite physical exhaustion and his deep reflections on mortality, noting that he never fully appreciated blessings until they were lost. As the decades progress, the letters document Dickens's life from his homes at Gad's Hill and Tavistock House. He details his travels to America, where he engages with the public and advocates for international copyright, as well as his involvement in social causes like the repeal of the Corn Laws. His correspondence remains warm with literary contemporaries such as Wilkie Collins, Thomas Carlyle, and Alfred Tennyson, while he continues to champion the plight of the working class. The volume concludes with letters written shortly before his passing in 1870. In a poignant final message to his son Alfred, written just before his death, Dickens ensures that his enduring love for his family is preserved, offering comfort to his children even as news of his death reaches them via telegraph. Through these documents, the volume stands as a testament to a life dedicated to art, social justice, and deep familial affection.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Correspondence