Meet Dickens not as a monument, but as a living storyteller whose novels still unsettle and console. Dickens feels startlingly alive here. Lillian Eichler Watson writes with warmth and clarity, offering a Charles Dickens literary criticism that doubles as an inviting Charles Dickens reading guide. Moving book by book through the major tales of nineteenth century English fiction, she highlights the dramatic power of his plots, the wit and tenderness of his style, and the unforgettable gallery of characters; her analysis of Dickens characters never loses sight of their human core. As a Victorian literature study guide and classic novels reading companion, her commentary illuminates the social themes in Dickens and the texture of Victorian London without smothering the joy of discovery. Ideal for classrooms, Dickens for book clubs, and curious newcomers alike, this guide to Dickens novels also serves as a steady Dickens guide for students, connecting each work to the author's life, times and moral vision. It is the kind of Victorian London literature guide that deepens understanding while keeping pace with the stories themselves, a natural companion to any Dickens collection on your shelf. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today's and future generations. More than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure. This faithful new issue honours the original criticism while presenting it in a clean, accessible form for modern readers, appealing equally to casual classic-lovers and serious collectors of literary history.