About this book
Celebrate Charles Dickens' 200th birthday with this landmark collection of short fiction, essays, poetry, and speeches spanning the entirety of his literary career. Released on February 7th, 2012, the Charles Dickens 200th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1 brings together lesser-known gems that showcase the social critic and versatile writer behind the celebrated novels.
This diverse volume includes beloved short stories like *The Holly Tree* and selections from *Holiday Romance* and *Mugby Junction*, alongside provocative essays and political commentary. Dickens' sharp wit cuts through in pieces like *Prince Bull*, a fairy tale that masks a fierce critique of government mishandling during the Crimean War, and *Old Lamps for New Ones*, where he condemns the Pre-Raphaelite school of painting. In *Frauds on the Fairies*, Dickens mounts a passionate defense of storytelling against moral censorship, while incidentally revealing that even Victorian writers grappled with what we now call product placement.
Introduced by Ruth Golding, these works reveal Dickens as not merely a novelist but a fearless commentator on art, politics, and culture. Perfect for literature enthusiasts, Dickens scholars, and anyone seeking to explore the full range of this 19th-century master's voice beyond his famous novels, this collection illuminates why Dickens remains enduringly relevant.
