The third volume of the correspondence of Charles Dickens covers the years from eighteen thirty-six to eighteen seventy, tracing his meteoric rise from a young reporter to an internationally celebrated author. The letters provide a candid look at his daily life, his deep friendships with figures like John Forster and C. C. Felton, and the emotional toll exacted by sudden fame and personal tragedy, most notably the death of his sister-in-law Mary Hogarth.
Dickens writes extensively about his creative process, detailing the immense effort behind masterpieces such as The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, and David Copperfield. He discusses the logistical challenges of his publications, his theatrical productions, and his ambitious public readings, displaying a relentless work ethic that frequently pushed him to the brink of exhaustion.
The collection also captures his travels, particularly his first American tour, where his enthusiasm for the New World quickly soured into frustration over the lack of international copyright laws and the intrusive nature of public adulation. Despite these grievances, his warmth toward transatlantic friends remains a constant anchor throughout the years.
Throughout the volume, Dickens emerges not as a distant literary monument, but as a man of fierce passions, immense humor, and occasional sharp prejudices. His correspondence reflects a profound social conscience, seen in his championing of various charitable causes and his deep empathy for the neglected and the suffering.
As the years advance, the tone of the letters shifts, acquiring a reflective gravity as old friends pass away and his own health begins to falter. Yet, the underlying vitality never entirely vanishes, leaving the reader with a vivid portrait of a man consumed by the twin fires of art and life.
