Earlier this week, I read that an author named Ruth Richardson has done some detective work on the people that lived within the vicinity of 10 Norfolk Street (Dickens' old home in London, now renamed), and noticed some huge similarities with the residents there and some of his book characters. Apparently there was a trader called William Sykes who lived in the area at the same time, as well as a workhouse and numerous pawn shops that may have inspired Dickens while writing Oliver Twist, and many other names which held a stark similarity to those of his famous book characters (such as two traders called 'Goodge' and Marney'... reminiscent of 'Scrooge' and 'Marley', perhaps?!) Ruth's findings have been included in her new book, which is called Dickens and the Workhouse: Oliver Twist and the London Poor. It's a new addition to my Amazon wishlist!
So, dear friends, what are your favourite Dickens novels, and which ones are on your Amazon wishlists?!
And finally, here's another link to end the day with; a photo album of the various locations described in some of Dickens' works (try to remove images of pasty-looking tourists in polo shirts and litter laden Pret a Manger's from your minds, and instead think of smog, horse driven carriages and ladies selling flowers in the street, à la Audrey Hepburn).
So bottoms up, and drink a toast to the writer who still manages to captivate millions! Hip hip!
P.S: Has anyone heard any updates on the so-called Charles Dickens theme park that was supposed to be in the making (somewhere near Kent, I think)? I swear I'm not making it up!
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